1. Applying for Graduate Schools Andy Wang Data Structures, Algorithms, and Generic Programming

2. Myth 1 I cannot afford graduate school…

3. Reality Graduate school is FREE (pretty much) – For both public and private schools If you are good enough to get into a graduate school… – Scholarships/grants – Research assistantship (work for a lab) – Teaching assistantship (work for a class)

4. Myth 2 I won’t have a chance to get into a graduate school…

5. Reality You are in luck – If you are a US citizen or permanent resident… Not enough US students are pursuing graduate schools Your major advantages – Eligible for many funding sources – No language barriers – Lower cost to hire you as a research assistant or teaching assistant

6. Myth 3 Graduate curriculum is just like the undergraduate curriculum…

7. Reality Master – Take classes – Emphasis on development Ph.D. – Take classes – Discover something new – Emphasis on research

8. A Typical Graduate Course Not as much guidance Project-oriented You need to develop your own projects

9. Metric of Success Undergraduate – GPA Master – Projects, thesis, skill set Ph.D. – Number of quality publications

10. Application Process Requirements – Personal statement – GPA – Two GRE exams – 3 to 4 recommendation letters Relevant upper-division courses Independent studies Internships

11. GRE Exams Computer science GRE – Theory – Systems – Architecture General GRE – English – Math – Analytics

12. Recommendation Letters How to approach? – If you receive an A in a class – Ask the professor as quickly as possible – Try to use the letter of recommendation services – Submit an envelope Deadlines Photo, personal statement, resume, transcript

13. Other Approaches Volunteer for… – Independent study – Internship for companies