Applying for Graduate Schools
Andy Wang
Operating Systems
Myth 1
I cannot afford graduate school…
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)
How about my student loans?

No repayment/interest accrual while
enrolled half time
 Can be consolidated
 Interest is tax-deductible
 Possible repayment cap and cancellation
 Six-month grace period
– Reset if back to half-time within 6 months
Myth 2
I won’t have a chance to get into a graduate
school…
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 or teaching
assistant
Myth 3
Graduate curriculum is just like the
undergraduate curriculum…
Reality

Take fewer classes per semester
 Master
– Emphasis on development

Ph.D.
– Discover something new
– Emphasis on research
– For people who love to solve puzzles
Some Cool Research Areas

AI and robotics (hoarding ducks, drones)
 Hacking into things (voting machines, cars)
 Data mining (beer next to diapers?)
 Olfactory research
 Wearable computing (Google glass)
A Typical Graduate Course

Not as much guidance
 Project-oriented
 You need to develop your own projects
Metric of Success

Undergraduate
– GPA

Master
– Projects, thesis, skill set

Ph.D.
– Number of quality publications
Nature of Your First Job

Undergraduate
– QA for large companies for 2 to 5 years
 Will pick up graduate-level skills
– Development for small companies

Master
– Mostly development

Ph.D.
– Professor, researcher, industry, grant manager
Application Process

Requirements
– Personal statement
– GPA, max(overall, major, upper division)
– Two GRE exams
– 3 to 4 recommendation letters
 Relevant upper-division courses
 Independent studies
 Internships
Personal Statement

Interested research areas
– Why are they intriguing?

Research experience/projects
– What have you tried and learned?

Why do you need a master/Ph.D?
 Why do you pick this school?
GRE Exams

Computer science GRE
– Theory
– Systems
– Architecture

General GRE
– English
– Math
– Writing
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 service

Interfolio
– Submit an envelope



Graduate program names, degrees, schools, deadlines
Photo, personal statement, resume, transcript
Envelopes and beautiful stamps
Other Approaches

Volunteer for…
– Independent study
– Internship for companies