1. Getting admitted to your chosen program(s):
Grad School: Options, Admission, Success Prof. Carla Purdy, DEECS, 820 Rhodes, these slides:
Why Should I Go to Grad School? (faculty / student views)
M.S.? M.Eng.? Ph.D.? M.D.? Ph.D./M.D.? …….?
Part-time?
How Do I Decide Where To Apply?
How Do I Make My Application Strong?
How Do I Get In? What is the Process?
How Do I Pay for It?
What Will Help Me Succeed in My Grad Program?
Options:
Getting admitted to your chosen program(s):
Succeeding in grad school: 1

2. Why Should I Go to Graduate School? (Faculty View)
Pros:
--more interesting work
--more career flexibility
--higher pay (sometimes)
--university community:
diverse, young, new ideas
Cons:
--intense: work hours not limited
--working conditions
--lower pay (sometimes) 2

3. Why Should I Go to Graduate School? (Student View)
Pros?
Wise program is a great experience, I
want to do more of this!!!
………….
Cons? 3

4. Many different degree options:
M.S.? M.Eng.? Ph.D.? M.D.? Ph.D./M.D.? …….?
Where do you see yourself in 5 yrs? 10 yrs?
Balance: school / work / family /other interests
--difficult? Yes, at times ; but definitely worth it
Can you “decide later”?
Who are your role models?
What did you like/dislike about
research/shadowing /internship opportunities? 4

5. What about part-time programs? What about distance learning programs?
May not be the optimal choice—especially if
you want a research and/or academic career
Employer may help with tuition
If you choose a part-time or distance learning
program, make sure that it is of high quality
and provides support services (e.g.,
placement) for graduates 5

6. (This is easier than ever)
Where To Apply
Collect Information!!!!
(This is easier than ever)
Useful Web Site (main site & special sections):
Information on:
* Applying
* Graduate Student Stories
* “Surviving” Grad School
* Life After Grad School
* ……….. 6

7. Deciding Where To Apply (continued)
Focus Your Interests
Assess Your Strengths / Weaknesses
Ask Questions:
--Mentor (s)
--Grad Students You Know
--Other Faculty
Research Likely Programs / Advisors
--web pages
--contact faculty; be specific (interview)
--visit if possible
Actual Applications
--Reasonable Range
--Customize each application 7

8. Grad School: choices (example-UC-EECE-MS, Meng, PhD)
Admissions:
hold a baccalaureate degree from a college or university regarded as standard by a regional or general accrediting agency and
have at least a B average (3.0/4.0 system) in relevant undergraduate course work or otherwise give evidence of promise that is judged satisfactory by the admitting program and the Graduate School.
What you will do: take classes, work in your advisor’s lab (~40 choices)
A FEW examples: (Prof. Niu)
(Prof. Esfandieri)
(Prof. Heikenfeld)
(Prof. Jha)
(Research Lab) (Prof. Wilsey)
(Prof. Purdy)(incl UC grads)
(+ ABOUT 40 additional great choices!!!!!!!)
Other schools or departments………..which??????
Other schools: ……..

9. Making an Application as Strong as It Can Be
GRADES
RECOMMENDATIONS
--academic/professional
--recommender should know you well and should be able
to comment on strengths relevant to your planned grad
program
ENRICHMENT
--internships
--summer research programs
--shadowing
ESSAYS
--what are your long-term goals?
--how can YOU contribute to the program you want to join?
--what are your comments on your WISE experience? 9

10. Understanding the Admissions Process
 Web Information--College / Dept.
 Don’t Procrastinate--DEADLINES!! UC-Oct. 1-June 1)
 Be proactive: make sure file is complete
”Usual Stuff”--Transcripts,GRE,GMAT,...
 Some Things Are Different:
--Personal Statement / Focused Goals
--Recommendations
--Interview / Campus Visit
--Local “Customs” for Each Program
Special Requirements—Med School, Law School e.g. 10

11. Your Personal Statement is Very Important
--be honest
--be literate--spelling, grammar
DO NOT depend on MS WORD alone
--be positive and specific about your
accomplishments
--include RELEVANT information
--get feedback--lab mates, mentor 11

12. --NOT from your friends, family
Recommendations
--NOT from your friends, family
--research mentor would be great
--professors who know you
--your boss? Maybe (if job experience is relevant to skills needed in grad/med school)
--provide information (c.v., your statement, stamped and addressed envelopes, etc.) to make writing the recommendation easy
--learn the art of “gentle nagging”--make sure recommendations are submitted on time 12

13. Interview / Campus Visit
--this is a ”job” interview--be
professional
--be yourself; but be informed
--be prepared—know specific
information about each program
--talk to people who have been
through the process
--PRACTICE beforehand
--(RELAX!!--but not too much) 13

14. get feedback—from the program itself if possible
Improve Your Chances
--don’t interview at your “top” school first
--if at first you don’t succeed…..
get feedback—from the program itself if possible
work on improving your chances for the next round of admissions 14

15. Paying for Graduate Work
Tuition & Fees / Living Expenses (“Stipend”)
 Main Sources of Support:
--Teaching Assistantships
--Research Assistantships
--Fellowships:often separate application
--National Science Foundation
--AAUW, etc.
--Laboratory Jobs
--Grad Student Loans (?)
--(Your Employer)
Usually part of regular application 15

16. Some Tips for Succeeding in Your Graduate Program
Information from campus visit
Learn [written/UNWRITTEN] rules: ASK QUESTIONS!!!!!!!
Identify mentors
Choose a “GOOD” advisor (you define what “good” is)
Ph.D.--learn how to do well on qualifying exam
Establish a “community of support”:
--adequate living / study conditions
--study partners
--mentors
--friends: old and new
--family
Line up some study partners
Books, web--e.g., The Woman’s Guide to Navigating the Ph.D. in Engineering and Science (do not pay $65—get a used copy!)
Build your career in your global community 16