Grad School 101Grad School 101Not completely cogged from the internet. The title is, Not completely cogged from the internet. The title is,

however, pretty non-original.however, pretty non-original.

Grad school fundaes that have been passed on through Grad school fundaes that have been passed on through batches in CSE, IITB since many yearsbatches in CSE, IITB since many years

Compiled and Edited by:Compiled and Edited by:

Aaditya Ramdas (CSE IITB 2005-2009)Aaditya Ramdas (CSE IITB 2005-2009)

Pratik Poddar (CSE IITB 2006-2010)Pratik Poddar (CSE IITB 2006-2010)

Srivathsan B (CSE IITB 2004-2009) Srivathsan B (CSE IITB 2004-2009)

What you need – Min What you need – Min RequirementsRequirements

1.1. 1-2 internships and 3 Good Recos1-2 internships and 3 Good Recos2.2. GRE/TOEFLGRE/TOEFL3.3. <= 2 fields of focus (for internships, <= 2 fields of focus (for internships,

BTP, Seminar)BTP, Seminar)4.4. Decent CPI (> 8 would be nice, > 9 Decent CPI (> 8 would be nice, > 9

is enough to get you top apps if you is enough to get you top apps if you have the other 3)have the other 3)

TimelineTimeline First YearFirst Year

– Concentrate on courseworkConcentrate on coursework– Think about your career goals, and whether you want to go to Think about your career goals, and whether you want to go to

graduate schoolgraduate school– Better to study some Math, if you are interested and want to Better to study some Math, if you are interested and want to

study something “extra”study something “extra” Sophie YearSophie Year

– Either take the GRE/TOEFL or do an internship (better to do an Either take the GRE/TOEFL or do an internship (better to do an internship) internship)

– UROP – take advice of seniors on the topics offeredUROP – take advice of seniors on the topics offered– Internship either locally at IIT or abroad Good to get one reco Internship either locally at IIT or abroad Good to get one reco

secured, maybe even a publication!secured, maybe even a publication! Third YearThird Year

– Time to make decisions!Time to make decisions!– GRE / TOEFL (Make sure this is done in 3GRE / TOEFL (Make sure this is done in 3rdrd year second year second

semester. Don't wait for fourth year first sem.)semester. Don't wait for fourth year first sem.)– Internship / Seminar / BTP (Preferably in the same topic. All the Internship / Seminar / BTP (Preferably in the same topic. All the

more better if your internship guide is working in collaboration more better if your internship guide is working in collaboration with your BTP/seminar guide)with your BTP/seminar guide)

Fourth YearFourth Year– Work on BTP, app!Work on BTP, app!

First Year / Second YearFirst Year / Second Year

First year end: Go home! (For those who First year end: Go home! (For those who are a bit more enthu, read up on math)are a bit more enthu, read up on math)

Second year: Second year: – Imp. Courses: Pay attention!Imp. Courses: Pay attention!– UROP: Talk to Seniors. Big commitment.UROP: Talk to Seniors. Big commitment.– Internship after second year advisedInternship after second year advised– Start looking at your fields of interest (Already Start looking at your fields of interest (Already

exposed to Theory, FM by end of second year)exposed to Theory, FM by end of second year)– If doing an internship at IIT, also club it with If doing an internship at IIT, also club it with

GRE/TOEFLGRE/TOEFL

Third YearThird Year 4 solid decisions to be taken4 solid decisions to be taken

– PT field and prof / placePT field and prof / place– Seminar field and profSeminar field and prof– BTP field and profBTP field and prof– Apping fields – can be delayed, but better Apping fields – can be delayed, but better

nownow Kick up your CPI – last chance to improve DRKick up your CPI – last chance to improve DR Give the GRE & TOEFL (Jan/Feb optimal, ToEFL Give the GRE & TOEFL (Jan/Feb optimal, ToEFL

one month later) Don't wait for one month later) Don't wait for September/OctoberSeptember/October

Fourth YearFourth Year Apping decisions to be taken, deadlines to be Apping decisions to be taken, deadlines to be

metmet Gather information. Talk to professors/seniors Gather information. Talk to professors/seniors

before deciding what to dobefore deciding what to do Work hard on BTP first stage, last chance to Work hard on BTP first stage, last chance to

impress BTP guideimpress BTP guide Give the GRE & TOEFL if not done alreadyGive the GRE & TOEFL if not done already

Fields of interestFields of interest

You need upto 2 fields of interest to app You need upto 2 fields of interest to app Common ones at IITBCommon ones at IITB

– Theoretical CSTheoretical CS– Formal MethodsFormal Methods– DatabasesDatabases– Machine Learning / AIMachine Learning / AI– CryptographyCryptography– NetworksNetworks– GraphicsGraphics

Other fieldsOther fields– VLSI / HardwareVLSI / Hardware– Systems – OS / Compilers / PLSystems – OS / Compilers / PL

Fields of interest (contd)Fields of interest (contd)

More the better, but too much is badMore the better, but too much is bad One sub-dept decides to take youOne sub-dept decides to take you Two is good to diversify (FM + Theory, or ML + Two is good to diversify (FM + Theory, or ML +

NLP, Approx Algos + Comp Geo., NLP, Approx Algos + Comp Geo., Cryptography+Theory)Cryptography+Theory)

Ideally, the two should have some solid Ideally, the two should have some solid connections that you can emphasize in your SOPconnections that you can emphasize in your SOP

Not completely binding later on, unless you app Not completely binding later on, unless you app to a prof or to a particular group (depends on to a prof or to a particular group (depends on univ)univ)

Better to app in areas you have worked onBetter to app in areas you have worked on Choose 2 fields wisely asap!Choose 2 fields wisely asap!

Fields of Interest (contd.)Fields of Interest (contd.)

ML – SoumenML – Soumen Formal Methods – Krishna, Supratik, AdsulFormal Methods – Krishna, Supratik, Adsul Theory – Ranade, Diwan, Sundar, SohoniTheory – Ranade, Diwan, Sundar, Sohoni NLP / AI – PBNLP / AI – PB DB – Sudarshan, SoumenDB – Sudarshan, Soumen Graphics – SharatGraphics – Sharat Cryptography – Bernard, SohoniCryptography – Bernard, Sohoni

Reco LettersReco Letters Need 3. More the better! Need 3. More the better! Plan early. Start looking for these in 5Plan early. Start looking for these in 5thth semester itself. semester itself. SourcesSources

– 22ndnd year internship guide (?) year internship guide (?)– 33rdrd year internship guide (s) (1-?) year internship guide (s) (1-?)– Seminar guide (Same as BTP guide ?)Seminar guide (Same as BTP guide ?)– BTP guide (1)BTP guide (1)– 33rdrd year / 2 year / 2ndnd year Winter internship guide (?) year Winter internship guide (?)– Course instructors (?)Course instructors (?)– BTP / Seminar co-guide / examiner (?) BTP / Seminar co-guide / examiner (?)

Look for recos from researchers with enough experience Look for recos from researchers with enough experience in the field, PhDs from good US universities and in in the field, PhDs from good US universities and in general successful (connections to univs you wish to app general successful (connections to univs you wish to app to is a bonus)to is a bonus)

Apping – What mattersApping – What matters CPI / DR CPI / DR

– Matters ENOUGH, but not as much as you may think Matters ENOUGH, but not as much as you may think – Can be substituted with good research workCan be substituted with good research work– High CPI + Decent-ish recos = a top-6 appHigh CPI + Decent-ish recos = a top-6 app

Recos Recos – Very important Very important – excellent reco from well known prof = damn good chance of a great appexcellent reco from well known prof = damn good chance of a great app

Papers / Publications Papers / Publications – A good publication can do wonders for your applicationA good publication can do wonders for your application– Good publication = good recoGood publication = good reco– Too tough for a UG, atleast in some areasToo tough for a UG, atleast in some areas

Internships Internships – More the better More the better – Prof with whom you work more important than the place you work inProf with whom you work more important than the place you work in

SOP SOP – Consult enough people and write good englishConsult enough people and write good english– Not too important, but a bad sop can work against youNot too important, but a bad sop can work against you

GRE / TOEFL GRE / TOEFL – Not important for good universitiesNot important for good universities– Aim to do well enough for it to not show up as a black mark on your appAim to do well enough for it to not show up as a black mark on your app

Apping – What Matters (contd.)Apping – What Matters (contd.)

Moral of the story:Moral of the story:– Univs look for research calibreUnivs look for research calibre– Stuff which proves that, for exampleStuff which proves that, for example

Good recos from researchers to that effectGood recos from researchers to that effect Good research internships and projectsGood research internships and projects Good academic backgroundGood academic background

Therefore, aim to maximize these Therefore, aim to maximize these qualifications: Take good internships and qualifications: Take good internships and impress profs!!impress profs!!

Apping – The processApping – The process

Number of univs to app to:Number of univs to app to:– Varies with your profileVaries with your profile– App to enough places, but not too manyApp to enough places, but not too many– Costs money, and can cause disadvantage to othersCosts money, and can cause disadvantage to others– Coordinate: Coordinate:

A person with similar profile and higher CPI would invariably be A person with similar profile and higher CPI would invariably be chosen over you, unless they are picking many peoplechosen over you, unless they are picking many people

Good univs don’t take too many juntaGood univs don’t take too many junta Try to have a different profile from others apping to the same place Try to have a different profile from others apping to the same place

(else clashes will hurt)(else clashes will hurt)– Aim high: app to a few places where you think you wont get, Aim high: app to a few places where you think you wont get,

just for funjust for fun– Keep backups: app to a few places where you are sure you will Keep backups: app to a few places where you are sure you will

getget– 10 should be an upper bound for > 8.5 CPI junta, and 8-9 10 should be an upper bound for > 8.5 CPI junta, and 8-9

should be an upper bound for > 9 CPI junta.should be an upper bound for > 9 CPI junta.

Apping – The process (contd.)Apping – The process (contd.)

Choosing where to app:Choosing where to app:– Places / groups / people that have similar research Places / groups / people that have similar research

interest to yoursinterest to yours– DO NOT app to places where there is no one working on DO NOT app to places where there is no one working on

areas that you have worked onareas that you have worked on– Customize your application to highlight the work uve Customize your application to highlight the work uve

done in the area of the group which you want to get intodone in the area of the group which you want to get into– USNews is a good rough guide on top CS programsUSNews is a good rough guide on top CS programs– Talk to your guide and google for places that match your Talk to your guide and google for places that match your

interestsinterests– Overall goodness vs. Group goodness (for eg. PhD @ Overall goodness vs. Group goodness (for eg. PhD @

UIUC vs. Phd with Rajeev Alur at UPenn) - Depends on UIUC vs. Phd with Rajeev Alur at UPenn) - Depends on what you are looking for what you are looking for

wanting to explore (not sure) vs. fixed on areawanting to explore (not sure) vs. fixed on area brand name / industry exposure / prospects / collaboration brand name / industry exposure / prospects / collaboration

vs. good advisor / better research vs. good advisor / better research

Apping – The process (contd.)Apping – The process (contd.)

(More) Lessons learnt(More) Lessons learnt– Choose BTP/Internship topics wisely. Avoid obscure/non-Choose BTP/Internship topics wisely. Avoid obscure/non-

real-world topics (pick problems being worked on at the real-world topics (pick problems being worked on at the places you want to be when you graduate)places you want to be when you graduate)

– Do enough research, start short-listing universities earlyDo enough research, start short-listing universities early– Work with well known profs and show them your Work with well known profs and show them your

initiative and expertise => good recos, maybe paper, all initiative and expertise => good recos, maybe paper, all goodgood

– Work hard on acads, always helps to have something Work hard on acads, always helps to have something tangible on your apptangible on your app

– Take that extra step – attend conferences, meet people, Take that extra step – attend conferences, meet people, look for opportunities to interact with potential look for opportunities to interact with potential gradschool advisorsgradschool advisors

Apping – The myths Apping – The myths

Extra curriculars matterExtra curriculars matter You need a +9 cpi to get into a top-6 placeYou need a +9 cpi to get into a top-6 place I can loaf off in my fourth year and still I can loaf off in my fourth year and still

expect to get a good appexpect to get a good app One must aim to publish at any costOne must aim to publish at any cost If I choose a field now, I have to do a PhD If I choose a field now, I have to do a PhD

in itin it Undergraduate time is for checking out as Undergraduate time is for checking out as

many fields as possiblemany fields as possible CS GRE is requiredCS GRE is required

To Go, or Not to GoTo Go, or Not to Go

Good Reasons to GoGood Reasons to Go– Enjoy researchEnjoy research– Want to teach at the Want to teach at the

college levelcollege level– Careers with more Careers with more

autonomyautonomy– Deep interest in and Deep interest in and

dedication to a single dedication to a single areaarea

– More challenging work More challenging work (?)(?)

Not Such Good Not Such Good ReasonsReasons– What else will I do next What else will I do next

year?year?– Make more moneyMake more money– Prestige of another Prestige of another

degreedegree– Pressure from family, Pressure from family,

friends, othersfriends, others

To Go Now, or To Go LaterTo Go Now, or To Go Later

NowNow– Your TA salary looks Your TA salary looks

big compared to big compared to actually paying tuition!actually paying tuition!

– More family More family responsibilities laterresponsibilities later

– Larger peer groupLarger peer group– Might never go laterMight never go later

LaterLater– More professional More professional

experienceexperience– Greater focusGreater focus– Financial Financial

considerationsconsiderations– Take a break from Take a break from

school to avoid school to avoid burnoutburnout

M.S. vs. Ph.D.M.S. vs. Ph.D.

Different job opportunitiesDifferent job opportunities– M.S. is primarily a professional degreeM.S. is primarily a professional degree

Master’s degree is an asset / requirement for many Master’s degree is an asset / requirement for many industry jobsindustry jobs

Teaching positions at community college levelTeaching positions at community college level

– Ph.D. is a research degreePh.D. is a research degree Research and teaching positions in academiaResearch and teaching positions in academia Research positions in industry and national labsResearch positions in industry and national labs

Sometimes different programsSometimes different programs– Focus of the Ph.D. is an original thesisFocus of the Ph.D. is an original thesis– M.S. requires coursework, sometimes a M.S. requires coursework, sometimes a

Master’s thesisMaster’s thesis Financial Issues (next slide)Financial Issues (next slide)

Financial IssuesFinancial Issues

Funding?Funding?– Ph.D. students are generally supported Ph.D. students are generally supported

financiallyfinancially– M.S. students may or may not be M.S. students may or may not be

supported (varies by program)supported (varies by program) Types of FundingTypes of Funding

– Teaching AssistantshipsTeaching Assistantships– Research AssistantshipsResearch Assistantships– Fellowships (usually for Ph.D.)Fellowships (usually for Ph.D.)– Employer sponsorship (usually for M.S.)Employer sponsorship (usually for M.S.)

Europe PhD - MythsEurope PhD - Myths

Not recognised in the worldNot recognised in the world Easy to get admissionsEasy to get admissions Medium of Instruction/PhD Defence is Medium of Instruction/PhD Defence is

French/GermanFrench/German

Pros and Cons of Studies in Pros and Cons of Studies in EuropeEurope

(-) If the PhD programme does not want you to take (-) If the PhD programme does not want you to take courses, then you are expected to know what you are courses, then you are expected to know what you are primarily interested in. If you do not know what you are primarily interested in. If you do not know what you are interested in and you want to explore, take up a PhD interested in and you want to explore, take up a PhD programme that obliges you to take courses in the first programme that obliges you to take courses in the first few years. US univs are better in this aspect as they few years. US univs are better in this aspect as they require you to take up courses in the first 2 yearsrequire you to take up courses in the first 2 years

(+) Academic job depends on the research you do (+) Academic job depends on the research you do during your PhD. In general, an academic position during your PhD. In general, an academic position anywhere in the world depends mainly on the research anywhere in the world depends mainly on the research done during PhD and not where u did itdone during PhD and not where u did it

(-) Industrial jobs generally better in US than Europe (-) Industrial jobs generally better in US than Europe after MS/PhDafter MS/PhD

(+) Opportunities to work with big names(+) Opportunities to work with big names

General AdviceGeneral Advice

Nothing is permanent!Nothing is permanent!– If you take a job, you can always go back to If you take a job, you can always go back to

schoolschool– If you decide grad school isn’t for you, you can If you decide grad school isn’t for you, you can

always get a jobalways get a job– Either way, don’t burn your bridgesEither way, don’t burn your bridges

Be flexibleBe flexible– Many people change research areasMany people change research areas– Program might take longer than you expectProgram might take longer than you expect

If unsure, you might as well apply and If unsure, you might as well apply and decide later decide later

General AdviceGeneral Advice If you want to app, but not applying If you want to app, but not applying

now for financial reasons, target jobs now for financial reasons, target jobs only in your fieldonly in your field

Databases: Yahoo, GoogleDatabases: Yahoo, Google Math: Quant (Tower, Morgan Stanley, Math: Quant (Tower, Morgan Stanley,

Goldman Sachs, etc)Goldman Sachs, etc) IBM Research, Microsoft Research, IBM Research, Microsoft Research,

Yahoo! Research also have good Yahoo! Research also have good groupsgroups