Graduate Fellowship Applications Jeffrey Donnell Mechanical Engineering MRDC /

Jeffrey DonnellThe Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering2 Who pays for graduate education? Admission criteria. How to apply for national fellowships. Go to Graduate_Fellowship_Applications.ppt

Jeffrey DonnellThe Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering3 Who Pays for your education? Your Employer Your Department (GTA) Your Research Advisor (GRA) Fellowships (Government and / or private)

Jeffrey DonnellThe Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering4 GPA GRE scores Biosketch/essay Interest in Ph.D. Letters of recommendation Specific field of interest How people decide whether to pay for you

Jeffrey DonnellThe Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering5 GPA > 3.0 Graduate Record Exams –Verbal  500 –Quantitative  700 –Analytical writing  4 to 4.5 GRE Engineering is not required Quantitative Guidelines for Admission (without funding)

Jeffrey DonnellThe Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering6 The Admission Process (for GRA) Faculty members estimate how many students they can pay Admissions director matches student applicants with faculty needs

Jeffrey DonnellThe Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering7 GPA  3.7 Graduate Record Exams –Verbal  600 –Quantitative  700 –Analytical writing  5 GRE Engineering is not required Quantitative Guidelines for GRA

Jeffrey DonnellThe Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering8 Quantitative Guidelines for NSF Graduate Research Fellowships GPA > 3.5 Pedigree of school Graduate Record Exams Verbal  600 Quantitative  700 Analytical writing  5 GRE Engineering is not required

Jeffrey DonnellThe Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering9 Resources at GT Graduate Studies Fellowship links: Dr. Amanda Gable Savant

Jeffrey DonnellThe Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering10 International Fellowships Contact Dr. Gable for information about international opportunities, including: Rhodes Marshall Truman Gates Fulbright

Jeffrey DonnellThe Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering11 Locating fellowship links

Jeffrey DonnellThe Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering12 safafg

Jeffrey DonnellThe Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering13 After selecting“Fellowships”:

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Jeffrey DonnellThe Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering16 A sample fellowship description

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Jeffrey DonnellThe Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering21 What are the deadlines? For Graduate Admission: December through February (depends on the school) For Graduate Fellowships: Early November (NSF) Mid January (DoD) Early February (NASA)

Jeffrey DonnellThe Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering22 What you should prepare 1.Plan of study 2.Experience 3.Motivation 4.Impact of your work

Jeffrey DonnellThe Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering23 Fellowship application essays Plan of Research / Study Biosketch / Experience Motivation / Personal experiences Experiences –integrating research and education, –advancing diversity, and –contributing to your community

Jeffrey DonnellThe Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering24 Your Plan of Study Describe a project / research interest –Field in the discipline –Practical need –A specific problem A plan for attacking the problem Not stated but important: Find an advisor!

Jeffrey DonnellThe Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering25 Research guides and your advisor search

Jeffrey DonnellThe Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering26 Look for research interests and publications

Jeffrey DonnellThe Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering27 Experience Required –Describe your role in professional projects Optional (but useful) –Describe what experience has prepared you for –Did your plan evolve from professional experiences?

Jeffrey DonnellThe Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering28 Describing projects Need / Problem –What was the project supposed to do or determine? Tasks –What did you design? –What tests did you conduct? Result –What was developed (or expected)? –What publications were issued (or projected)?

Jeffrey DonnellThe Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering29 Personal, professional or educational experiences or situations What do you bring to your colleagues? –What motivates you? –What experiences or interests do you bring to your work? –What might people learn from you?

Jeffrey DonnellThe Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering30 Research & education, diversity, community What have you done (or will you do) for others? –Teaching? Judging science fairs? –Inviting others to participate? –Professional activities, Campus activities, Civic activities?

Jeffrey DonnellThe Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering31 NSF Review Panel All applications accumulate. Deadlines are strictly enforced. All credentials and information must be provided. Panel meets for three days. Each applicant is reviewed by three panelists.

Jeffrey DonnellThe Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering32 NSF Review Panel Panelists bring their own biases to bear. Process is imperfect. Write your application with the reader in mind.

Jeffrey DonnellThe Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering33 NSF Review Panel Reviewers are asked to assess: Intellectual merit of the applicant Broader impact of supporting an individual’s graduate study

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Jeffrey DonnellThe Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering35 References--1 How people invest in you! –University Faculty (strongly preferred) –Professional supervisors (when qualified) –Faculty at other schools (when available) They must understand your plans and interests

Jeffrey DonnellThe Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering36 References--2 To write a supportive letter, faculty members need these things from you: –Resume –Plan –Biosketch / Experience –Your time and enthusiasm

Jeffrey DonnellThe Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering37 References--3 How they invest in you: –Letters (commonly for several years) –Feedback on your plan –Information about schools and potential advisors –A professional network