Graduate School Senior Design Seminar, 2003 Arthur Overholser

I. What Degree? II. Why (or why not)? III. When? IV. Where? V. How? VI. What is it like in graduate school?

I. What Degree? M. S. without thesis (M.Eng. at VU) –May be a terminal degree oriented toward practice, often paid for by student –May be en route to Ph.D M. S. with thesis –A research degree –May be terminal or toward Ph.D. –Financial support usually provided Ph.D.

II. Why (or why not)? To better prepare for technical engineering practice (particularly the M.S.) To prepare for responsible industrial research (Ph.D.) Ph.D. required for an academic career. Money?

Median Salaries of Engineers, 2002 Degree and Years Since BS Degree Supervisory Level BS, Non-supervisor$62,124$75,962$84,450 MS, Non-supervisor$73,571$86,120$101,440 Ph.D., Non-supervisor$81,330$99,435$113,890 BS, Supervisor$62,164$79,778$96,564 MS, Supervisor$84,632$101,588$102,877 Ph.D., Supervisor --$122,394$133,330 Source: Engineering Workforce Commission of the American Association of Engineering Societies, Inc.

III. Where to go to graduate school?  Depends on… –Speciality –Reputation –Geographic preference –Your future plans  Get information from… -- Your faculty -- Peterson’s Guide -- The Web -- From the graduate departments

IV. When to go to graduate school?  For MBA, get experience first  For M.Eng., may wish experience first  For M.S., Ph.D., as soon as you can.

V. How to go to graduate school? Make the best grades you can. Minimum is usually 3.0. Better is required for competitive departments, best chance of support. Take the GRE by the fall of your senior year. Do well; 2000 total is a reasonable goal. Apply in the fall of the senior year to a spectrum of schools. For thesis M.S. and for Ph.D, expect support. Apply for NSF or other fellowships, expect school to offer fellowship, research assistantship, or teaching assistantship.

VI. What is graduate school like? Expectations higher Student/professor relationships quite different Personal, social life is different Open-endedness and freedom The demands and pleasures of research Importance of selecting a thesis advisor Difference among fellowships, assistantships Timetable