Thinking About Graduate School? K. T. A. February 22, 2007

2007Kutztown University2 You know you’re a redneck if.. Fewer than half of your cars run. Fewer than half of your cars run. You think that beef jerky and Moon Pies are two of the major food groups. You think that beef jerky and Moon Pies are two of the major food groups. You've ever used a weedeater indoors. You've ever used a weedeater indoors. You mow your lawn and find a car. You mow your lawn and find a car. youre-a-redneck-if/532 youre-a-redneck-if/532 youre-a-redneck-if/532 youre-a-redneck-if/532

2007Kutztown University3 Overview Should you go? Should you go? Where to go Where to go How to get ready How to get ready How to get there How to get there

2007Kutztown University4 Should You Go? If you can do it, DO IT If you can do it, DO IT  Career advancement  Job satisfaction  $$ Especially if you like.. Especially if you like..  Challenges  New opportunities  Interesting work and don’t like.. and don’t like..  Same ol’ same ol’  to be bored

2007Kutztown University5 If you do go.. What level? What level? CS or.. ? CS or.. ?

2007Kutztown University6 What level? PhD if you can PhD if you can  1 trip instead of 2  Best time is NOW 5 Year Masters is a good option 5 Year Masters is a good option  Short time frame  Low startup cost  Good quality

2007Kutztown University7 CS or.. ? Many areas of study Many areas of study  IT  IS  Informatics  MIS  HCI  Design

2007Kutztown University8 CS or.. ? Many specializations within CS Many specializations within CS  Robotics  Computer vision  Bioinformatics  Many others Which best fits your Which best fits your  Abilities  Interests

2007Kutztown University9 Where to go Types of rankings Types of rankings  U.S. News and World Report  NAGPS Many good schools Many good schools Central principle – best for you Central principle – best for you

2007Kutztown University10 How to Choose Considerations Considerations  Faculty  Program  Areas of specialty/centers of study  Graduation rate  Location

2007Kutztown University11 Getting to Know the School Quality Quality  of offerings  of faculty »publication history »collaboration history (esp. with advisees) »90% is relationship with thesis advisor Relationships with industry Relationships with industry Areas of expertise Areas of expertise Treatment of students Treatment of students  graduation rate (CMU vs. Duke)  hoops vs. research (UVA)

2007Kutztown University12 How to Choose Cast a wide net Cast a wide net  Check out web sites  Look for specifics  Establish your own criteria » Desiderata » Sine qua non Create a “short list” Create a “short list”

2007Kutztown University13 Choosing an Area of Study Starting points Starting points  topic  person  school  conference  journal

2007Kutztown University14 Choosing an Area of Study Fanning out Fanning out  Bibliography  Node hopping with tabbed browsing »School to person »to paper »to conference »to lecture »to person »to school  Etc.

2007Kutztown University15 Choosing an Area of Study Download papers Download papers  directly accessible »MIT »CMU »others  ACM – KU has subscription via library  IEEE – good luck!

2007Kutztown University16 Getting Ready World has changed World has changed WWC = worldwide competition WWC = worldwide competition 1 > 0 1 > 0  So take 1 step

2007Kutztown University17 How to Get Ready Academic preparation Academic preparation Application preparation Application preparation

2007Kutztown University18 Academic Preparation – Course Work Depends on area of study (see CS or..) Depends on area of study (see CS or..) Math Math Core CS areas (depends somewhat on school) Core CS areas (depends somewhat on school)  Algorithms & complexity  Automata theory  Operating systems  Artificial intelligence  Software engineering  Networking

2007Kutztown University19 Academic Preparation – Research Seek research opportunities Seek research opportunities  REUs  KU - URC  Collaborate with faculty

2007Kutztown University20 Academic Preparation - Research Your cup of tea? Your cup of tea? Undergrad research opportunities (see above) Undergrad research opportunities (see above) Undergrad presentations & publications Undergrad presentations & publications –PACISE –Moravian –St. Joe’s –U.R. journals U.R. journalsU.R. journals Finding research areas (see above) Finding research areas (see above)

2007Kutztown University21 How to Get There Preparing to apply Preparing to apply  Know Deadlines – some very early Know Deadlines Know Deadlines  Fall or Spring?  Line up references  Keep up with schoolwork Schedule your work Schedule your work  Keep up with coursework  Plan for interference (e.g., Dec. 15)

2007Kutztown University22 How to Get There - GREs Schedule them Schedule them Which test? Which test?  Morning only  Subject GRE? (depends on school)  Math GRE To study or not? To study or not?  KU  Lehigh Changes coming Changes coming Retake? Retake?

2007Kutztown University23 Application Prepare ahead of time Prepare ahead of time Will need Will need  transcript  references (gentle, diplomatic reminders)  resume  personal statement  other (depends on school) Variety of formats Variety of formats  internet  paper  hybrid

2007Kutztown University24 Application – Allow Plenty of Time References need time References need time Schedule for each application Schedule for each application  Can be up to a day per  Each one is different »Time to sort it out

2007Kutztown University25 And Above All.. Don’t Give Up !