1. 1 Next Steps: Grad School, Interviews, Financial Aid Prof. Carla Purdy, DEECS, 820 Rhodes, carla.purdy@uc.edu [ these slides: eecs.ceas.uc.edu/~cpurdy/gradschool_2015.ppt ]carla.purdy@uc.eduuc.edu/~cpurdy/gradschool_2015.ppt Why Should I Go to Grad School? (faculty / student views) M.S.?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? Going the distance: Starting strong: Choosing your path:

2. 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)

3. 3 Choosing your path: Why Should I Go to Graduate School? (Student View)  Pros?  Cons?

4. 4 Choosing your path: M.S.? Ph.D.? M.D.? Ph.D./M.D.? …….?  Where do you see yourself in 5 yrs? 10 yrs?  Balance: school /work /family /other interests  Can you “decide later”?  Who are your role models?  What did you like about research / shadowing /internship opportunities?

5. 5 Choosing your path: Part-time?  Probably not the best way to do graduate work  Employer may help with tuition  Some programs FOR part-time students or are distance-learning– programs; be wary of these

6. 6 Starting strong: How Do I Decide Where To Apply? Collect Information!!!! (This is easier than ever) Useful Web Site (main site & special sections): http://www.gradschools.com http://www.gradschools.com/get-informed http://www.gradschools.com/get-informed/applying-graduate-school Information on: * Applying * Graduate Student Stories * Life After Grad School * Surviving Grad School * ………..

7. 7 Starting strong: How Do I Decide Where To Apply? (cont.)  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

8. 8 Starting strong: How Do I Make My Application Strong?  GRADES  RECOMMENDATIONS --academic/professional --recommender should know you well  ENRICHMENT --internships --summer research programs --shadowing  ESSAYS --what are your long-term goals? --how can YOU contribute to the program?

9. 9 Starting strong: How Do I Get In?/What is the Process?  Web Information--College / Dept.  Don’t Procrastinate--DEADLINES!!  Be proactive: make sure file is complete, e.g.  ”Usual Stuff”--Transcripts,GRE,GMAT,...  Some Things Are Different: --Personal Statement / Focused Goal --Recommendations --Interview / Campus Visit  Special Requirements—Med School, Law School, etc.

10. 10 Starting strong: Personal Statement --be honest --be literate--spelling, grammar --be positive and assertive about your accomplishments --include RELEVANT information --get feedback--lab mates, mentor

11. 11 Starting strong: 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. 12 Starting strong: Interview / Campus Visit --”job” interview--be professional --be yourself; but be informed --be prepared—know specific information about their program --talk to people who have been through the process --PRACTICE beforehand --(RELAX!!--but not too much)

13. 13 Starting strong: Improving 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 the next time

14. 14 Starting strong: How Do I Pay for It?  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. 15 Going the distance: What Do I Do Once I’m In?  Information from campus visit  Learn [written/UNWRITTEN] rules: ASK QUESTIONS!!!!!!!  Identify mentors  Choose a “GOOD” advisor  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 $47—get a used copy!)  Build your career in your global community