1. Applying for Graduate Schools
Andy Wang
Operating Systems

2. Myth 1
I cannot afford graduate school…

3. Reality Graduate school is FREE (pretty much)
For both public and private schools
If you are good enough to get into a graduate school…
Scholarships/grants
Research assistantship (work for a lab)
Teaching assistantship (work for a class)

4. How about my student loans?
No repayment while enrolled half time
Can be consolidated
Interest is tax-deductible
Possible repayment cap and cancellation
Six-month grace period
Reset if back to half-time within 6 months

5. Myth 2
I won’t have a chance to get into a graduate school…

6. Reality
You are in luck
If you are a US citizen or permanent resident…
Not enough US students are pursuing graduate schools
Your major advantages
Eligible for many funding sources
No language barriers
Lower cost to hire you as a research or teaching assistant

7. Myth 3
Graduate curriculum is just like the undergraduate curriculum…

8. Reality Take fewer classes per semester Master Ph.D.
Emphasis on development
Ph.D.
Discover something new
Emphasis on research
For people who love to solve puzzles

9. Some Cool Research Areas
AI and robotics (hoarding ducks)
Olfactory research
Wearable computing
Life-long storage
SPAM filtering

10. A Typical Graduate Course
Not as much guidance
Project-oriented
You need to develop your own projects

11. Metric of Success Undergraduate Master Ph.D. GPA
Projects, thesis, skill set
Ph.D.
Number of quality publications

12. Nature of Your First Job
Undergraduate
QA for large companies for 2 to 5 years
Will pick up graduate-level skills
Development for small companies
Master
Mostly development
Ph.D.
Professor, researcher, industry, grant manager

13. Application Process Requirements Personal statement
GPA, max(overall, major, upper division)
Two GRE exams
3 to 4 recommendation letters
Relevant upper-division courses
Independent studies
Internships

14. Personal Statement Interested research areas
Why are they intriguing?
Research experience/projects
What have you tried and learned?
Why do you need a master/Ph.D?
Why do you pick this school?

15. GRE Exams Computer science GRE General GRE Theory Systems Architecture
English
Math
Writing

16. Recommendation Letters
How to approach?
If you receive an A in a class
Ask the professor as quickly as possible
Try to use the letter of recommendation service
Submit an envelope
Graduate program names, degrees, schools, deadlines
Photo, personal statement, resume, transcript
Envelopes and beautiful stamps

17. Other Approaches Volunteer for… Independent study
Internship for companies