1. Graduate School 101 & FastTrack Grad Program
Nancy M. Amato

2. Poll Time URL : slido.com Hashtag : #grad
What do you plan to do after college?
According to you, what are the advantages of a graduate degree?
What will keep you from applying to grad school?

3. Graduate School - Why? Not just to avoid getting a job! Opportunities
Want to learn a topic in greater depth, perhaps start out a rung or two up the ladder
Interest in research – these opportunities almost always require advanced degrees
Meet job goals/requirements
Demand
There is an acute shortage of U.S. engineers with advanced degrees
Companies are highly motivated to help attract more engineers into advanced studies

4. Advantages of Graduate Education
Greater job flexibility and responsibility
Challenging job assignments
Development of specialized skills
Development of research skills
Higher wages
Confidence in solving complex problems
Develop leadership and teamwork skills
Develop oral and written presentation skills
Become an independent learner
Become a better life-long learner

5. Grad School – Types of Programs
Industry
Professional Programs
MBA
Law School
Medical School
Masters
Coursework Only
Thesis (research oriented)
PhD
Government
Academia
Defense
National Laboratories

6. Finances Questions you may ask…
What % of students are on financial support?
What is the salary of a graduate student?
What is the cost of living / attending school?
Paying for it all…
Assistantships
TA, RA, etc.
Stipends, tuition/fees, health insurance, often
Fellowships
External (e.g., NSF, DOE) – flexible, portable, employment obligation
Internal
Outside Jobs
Loans…especially for professional degrees

7. Options for Graduate Education
Grad School Options
Pros
Cons
Continue graduate school immediately after finishing bachelor’s degree
Flexibility - Not tied to a particular career path
Don’t have to disrupt career
How will you fund?
Some students are already burnt out after 4-5 years of school
Work for a few years and then go back to school
Can save up money to self-fund graduate school.
Can put complete focus on school
It is very difficult to give up full-time salary once you have become accustomed to receiving it
Will you have to give up your job?
Get a full-time job and go to school part-time
Easy to self-fund graduate school
Time constraints
Time to graduation can be very long
Reduced flexibility

8. Life in Grad School Coursework Research (Thesis MS or PhD)
Varies significantly
Occasionally leveling required
Usually 1-2 years
Deeper, more specialized courses
Research (Thesis MS or PhD)
Start early and get involved
Identify a faculty advisor/research area
First assist others, then take your own direction

9. Where should I go? Searching for a program Deciding on a program
Talk to your professors
Talk to current/previous graduate students, people that have the job you want
Attend graduate school workshops or career fairs/conferences
Rankings
Deciding on a program
Faculty working in my area of interest - VISIT!!!
Research areas
Degree programs (M. Eng., M.S., Ph.D.)
Employability of graduates
Rankings
Available resources

10. Grad School Applications
What are Schools Looking For?
Start Early
GPA, GRE scores are important as filters
GRE General Test, GRE Subject test
Letters from Faculty
Not bosses
Best, profs you did research with
Statement of Purpose (Research Interest)
Other supporting information CV
Courses taken
Research projects/publications
How to Apply
ApplyTexas at Texas A&M
Check dept websites for other institutions
Evaluation of Applicants
GPA
GRE Scores
Rec.
Letters
Academic Preparation
Personal Statement
Research Experience

11. Deadlines – When Should I Apply?
Check with university/department; varies by program/department
Posted deadline may be in early spring (e.g., Feb. 1 or Mar. 1)
Target Dates (in order to be considered for all possible funding opportunities):
Get application in by December 15th
Get all other materials in by January 1st

12. Application Advice - How Can I Make My Application Stand Out?
Get experience (both research and industry)
Internship and Co-Ops
Undergraduate Research – class credit (291s, 485s, 491s), summer research programs (USRG, REU), etc.
Show interest
Establish contacts with faculty and staff
Visit the campus and department
Spring/Summer before your Senior year is critical
Have a plan
Programs/faculty
Deadlines (admissions and fellowships)
GRE (where to send scores)
Have a back up plan - Work?
Request recommendation letters EARLY
Professors can be procrastinators too!

13. Texas A&M FastTrack Graduate Program https://engineering. tamu
Allows students to take up to 3 graduate courses while an undergraduate that can count towards BOTH the undergraduate and graduate degree
Departments specify pairs courses: an undergraduate course (typically 400-level) and a graduate course on same topic
Students take the grad course and get “credit by exam” for the undergraduate course
The undergraduate course is applied to the BS and the grad course is “reserved” to be applied to a future graduate degree
MS degrees with thesis typically require 8 courses, so with proper planning students can get a BS & MS in 5 years
Most (but not all) departments in the college participate
Eligibility and application info on the web (url above)

14. Texas A&M FastTrack Graduate Program https://engineering. tamu
Most (but not all) departments in the college participate
Eligibility and application info on the web (url above)
Ask your EH Departmental Track Co-Ordinator
Departments offering FastTrack Program
Aerospace Engineering (AERO)
Biomedical Engineering (BMEN)
Computer Science & Engineering (CSCE)
Electrical & Computer Engineering (ECEN)
Industrial & Systems Engineering (ISEN)
Mechanical Engineering (MEEN)

15. Why Texas A&M? Highly ranked programs Faculty visibility
7th among public schools
8 total top 10 programs among public schools
Faculty visibility
400+ tenure track faculty
Wide range of degree programs offered
M.Eng., M.C.S., M.S., Ph.D.
Fast track
Distance Education
Employability of graduates
Less “start up” time, especially if continue/extend undergraduate research

16. Resources Notre Dame University Graduate Fellowship Database

17. Quiz Time
URL : quizizz.com

18. Questions? Nancy Amato Sr. Director for Engineering Honors Programs
Unocal Professor, Computer Science and Engineering