Why Grad School?

Pravin Shankar

spravin@rutgers.edu

1998-2003 batch

What next?

Software IndustryThe default route

Higher Studies For the more ambitious among you

Higher Studies - Options

Business School (MBA)Non-technical in nature

Grad School (MS/PhD) If you want a technical careerFurther choice to make – MS or PhD

Grad School

This talk will focus on Grad School in Computer Science

My goal at the end of the talk is to inspire atleast a few among you to pursue an MS/PhD in CS

Common Misconceptions about Grad School Grad School is for IITians, what chance do

us lowly PSG Techians stand? IITians have no advantage over others in the

admissions process, it’s a level playing field

Common Misconceptions about Grad School I have a postgraduate degree, I don’t want

to waste 2 more years getting just another Masters degreeGrad School in US is a great experience, you

will definitely learn a lot Improves your resume greatlyThe fact that you can land a paycheck of 70-

80k doesn’t hurt too

Common Misconceptions about Grad School Grad School means life of poverty, my

parents have spent enough on me already, its time for me to earn moneyScholarship provides full tuition waiver plus

generous stipend In other words, you do not spend a penny,

and instead earn 1500-2000 $s just by virtue of studying

So what exactly is Grad School?

MS 1.5 - 2 years Less number of courses than undergrad Courses more advanced than senior-level

undergraduate courses In addition, an opportunity to do independent research

Select an area of focus and specialize in it Typically 6 months to 1 year of research culminating in a

thesis

So what exactly is Grad School?

PhD 4 - 7 years Similar coursework to Master’s Degree plus

seminars and courses related to research Research required Required to specialize

Helpful to know research interests from day one to expedite selection of research focus

Many select research focus after starting school

Grad School is like an Industry

Every professor runs a small companyProduct: Invents and develops long-range

researchCustomer: typically Federal Government

(NSF, DARPA, etc.)Annual Revenue: $300,000 - $1,000,000Employees: Grad students

Career Options after Grad School

Industry Research Labs Academia

Why Grad School?

Money?Average salary after MS=70k, PhD=100kBad reason !

PhD requires a long commitment, and you need a stronger motivation than money!

Why Grad School?

Quality of Work Are you the kind who wants to drive technology? Undergrad

Mundane programming job – make use of current technologies

MS More say on design/architecture, not just mundane coding

PhD Develop new technologies Become a visionary

Questions to ask yourselves?

Do you enjoy learning - becoming an expert? PhD makes you world’s expert in foo

Are you sufficiently self-motivated, hard working, and driven by the desire for a deeper understanding into a topic?

PhD is a challenging option to pursue MS provides a smooth transition from

undergraduate study to graduate study that can continue towards a PhD

How? - The application process

Application packet consists of the following Transcript

Important, but not much you can do about this now…

Letters of Recommendation Important – make or break marginal cases Establish relationships with your profs now!

Statement of Purpose Somewhat important – think about what you like

GREs Important in some univs, but doesn’t hurt to do well in it.

Transcript

TranscriptYour school’s reputation,your gradesand your courses will speak for themselves

Schools are sympathetic to GPAs that improve over time and weaknesses in outside areas

Letters of Recommendation

Letters of RecommendationThese carry a great amount of weightChoose your letter writer properly

It is more important that he/she knows you well, than that he/she is a big shot

Help your letter writer by sharing your research interests so he/she may find ways to write a letter that complements your personal statement

Statement of Purpose

Personal Statement This is a great opportunity to stand out Research the schools in which you are interested Ask professors to explain research areas Try to sound like a student with experience, focus,

and initiative Don’t limit your choices by writing something that

makes you sound too focused (unless you are)

Standardized tests

GRE’sGeneral test always required

Typically requires 3 months of preparation

Subject test frequently required Subject test is very detail oriented

TOEFLCompulsory, but trivial exam

Where do I apply?

Everyone wants to apply to MIT/Stanford/CMU

Select universities based on your credentials

See online listings of top schools Many other departments with strength in a

particular area

Timeline (for 4th year students)

Register for GRE asap, ideally by Feb/March of 4th year

Write GRE during Summer Requires 3 months of preparation

Decide universities to apply, between Sep-Nov Write TOEFL during Oct/Nov

Requires 1 day of preparation!

Optionally write Subject GRE in CS (December)

Timeline contd…

By November, decide on Universities to apply to Get letters of recommendation Write statement of purpose

Finish applying by end of December Admits/Rejects will come between Feb-April Apply for visa after that August – bon voyage! September – term starts

Where do I go to for further help?

OnlineGoogle is your best friend!

Get in touch with seniorsFeel free to email me – spravin @ rutgers.edu