Thinking About Going to Graduate School?
Things you ought to know, but might not
have thought to ask
Xiao Qin, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Computer Science & Software Engineering
Auburn University, AL, USA
3101 Shelby Engineering Technology Center
Auburn University, AL 36849-5347
http://www.eng.auburn.edu/~xqin
(334) 844-6327
xqin@auburn.edu
Adapted from Graduate Admissions Essays by Donald Asher (Ten Speed Press)
Where is Auburn University?
Ph.D.’04, U. of Nebraska-Lincoln
04-07, New Mexico Tech
07-09, Auburn University
Thinking About Going To Graduate School?
•
•
•
•
Is Graduate School right for you?
Choosing a program.
Applying and getting in.
Resources.
Is Grad School Right For You?
Should I or shouldn’t I?
• Questions You Need To
Answer.
• The Economic Factor.
Should I Go?
Reasons to Go:
•
•
•
•
•
•
You have a passionate interest in a topic
or an unusual combination of topics.
You enjoy research and/or creative
activity.
You seek a richer and more satisfying
life.
You have an interest that requires a
graduate degree.
You want to ensure continued career
advancement.
You want to earn more money.
Reasons NOT to Go:
•
•
•
•
You’re going to grad school to please
someone else.
You’re clueless about what you want
to study or what you want to do once
you’ve earned an advanced degree.
You’re secretly trying to avoid finding
a “real job”.
You only want to earn more money.
Adapted from Graduate Admissions Essays by Donald Asher (Ten Speed Press)
Average Annual Earnings by Workers 25-64 year olds by
Educational Attainment 1997-1999
Bachelors
$52,200
Master's
$62,300
109,100
Professional
$89,000
Doctorate
$0
$20,000
$40,000
$60,000
$80,000
$100,000
$120,000
Cited in CGS Communicator based on US Census Bureau Data
1998-2000
Preparation- Getting Started
• 1. Decide what discipline and sub-area(s)
interest you.
 Discuss career options/interests with advisors and professors.
 Go online- research career opportunities and job market
forecasts (e.g, Occupational Outlook Handbk)
 Decide the type of degree you’ll need- master’s or doctoral
CHOOSING A PROGRAM
The People
Things to consider:
• Does the expertise of the faculty provide a well-balanced
representation of relevant sub disciplines ?
• Does the faculty have professional experience outside the
academic community?
• Are the faculty well-known? What have they published
recently?
• What is the faculty/student ratio, and are the faculty
accessible to the students?
Talk to advisors, use web and suggested resources on handout research
faculty (look up publications, vitae. etc.)
CHOOSING A PROGRAM
The Program
Things to consider:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Look at the required and elective courses. Will they suit your educational and
professional goals?
Is a thesis or final exam required? Is there some sort of practical experience or
internship included?
How long is the program, and how many credits are required? The same
program can vary in credit hours from one school to another
What is the reputation of the school in general and what is the reputation of
the program within the field?
Is the program accredited and if so, by whom?
What kinds of jobs do graduates obtain?
Look at information provided by programs, discuss with advisors, talk with
graduate students in the program.
CHOOSING A PROGRAM
The Place
Things to consider:
• Do you want to attend a large or small school? Do you
prefer a large or small program?
• In what geographic area would you like to attend school?
Would you like the school to be located in an urban or
rural setting?
• What activities does the community offer?
• Is graduate housing available? How difficult is it to find
off-campus housing? What public transportation is
available?
CHOOSING A PROGRAM
The Price
Things to consider:
• What is the cost of the program? What are
the hidden costs?
• How much financial assistance is available in
the form of assistantships, loans, and
fellowships?
Applying to Graduate SchoolRolling the Dice
Absolute, surefire rules for getting admitted
into the program of your choice.
Applying to Graduate SchoolRolling the Dice
Reality check…
There are no absolute, surefire rules that will
assure your admittance to your program of
choice– but you can increase your odds of
success if you are aware of a few things that
are almost always weighed in making
admission decisions
Applying to Graduate SchoolRolling the Dice
What factors are almost always considered in
admission?
Your GPA
GRE/TOEFL Scores
Recommendations.
Personal statement.
Research, relevant professional experience.
Funding, fit, available space.
Applying to Graduate SchoolRolling the Dice
What is a good GPA?
 There is no GPA so good that it will assure you of admittance.
 GPA requirements vary. Overall GPA, GPA in your last 60 hours,
GPA in courses in your major and courses in supporting areas
may be considered separately.
 A very rough idea of minimum GPA’s that will keep your
application in the pool:
Very competitive programs about 3.5
Competitive programs at least 3.0
Applying to Graduate SchoolRolling the Dice
What is a good GRE or GMAT score?
There are no test scores so good as to assure you
admittance.
Minimum score requirements vary greatlySciences and Engineering tend to emphasize math
Liberal Arts emphasize language skills
Business- composite scores considered involving
scores from math, verbal, written sections of the
GMAT
Preparing your GPA and getting ready for
the GRE and GMAT
GPA:
 Make sure your GPA reflects grades courses that are relevant to your intended
career.
 Do as well as you can in courses in your major and in courses that programs
indicate they want you to have in your background.
 If necessary, be prepared to discuss your weaknesses in GPA in your personal
statement. Emphasize improvement and other evidence of your depth of learning,
but do not grovel or dismiss.
GRE/GMAT or any other standardized admission test
 DO NOT TAKE THESE TESTS COLD!!! ALLOW AMPLE TIME FOR REVIEW.
GRE/GMAT emphasize basic skills that you are most likely to have acquired in high
school and your first two years in college.
Letters of Recommendation
You will have to ask people to write you letters of
recommendation.
 Ask for letters from people with whom you’ve had more than
casual contact.
Good sources:
 Research and project faculty advisors.
 Faculty members that you asked for advice on graduate school.
Poor sources:
 Graduate students, friends, relatives, employer (usually), and others
who have no direct experience in graduate education.
.
Applying to Graduate SchoolRolling the Dice
Letters of Recommendation
You’ll need at least 3 letters at least one should be “strong” if you seek
admission to competitive programs.
Characteristics of strong (influential) recommendations:
1. Author knows you and your work well.
2. Author likes and respects you.
3. Author has relevant academic or professional credentials.
4. Author is known in the discipline that you seek to enter.
5. Author knows people in the program/university you seek to
enter.
Letters of Recommendation
(What to take to your meeting with the professor)
• Your transcript.
• A paper or lab project
showing your best work.
• A resume – should
include activities and
leadership positions.
• Copies of correspondence
with targeted graduate
programs.
• Copy of latest draft of
statement of purpose
• List of other professors
who will serve as a
reference.
• All stamps, envelopes and
forms your professor
might need, all filled out
and ready to go.
Adapted from Graduate Admissions Essays by Donald Asher (Ten Speed Press)
Letters of Recommendation
(Follow-up)
• Check-in with your professor regularly to see if the letter
is done. Be nice about it, but don’t let it fall off the radar
screen.
• Be sure to thank each letter writer after the letter has
been submitted on your behalf.
Adapted from Graduate Admissions Essays by Donald Asher (Ten Speed Press)
Applying to Graduate SchoolRolling the Dice
The Personal Statement: Wide variation in how programs
weigh your personal statement. Play it safe and write a
good one.
 Tailor your statement to the program you are applying to:
1. Why are you applying to it?
2. What are your short and longer-term
professional goals?
3. What attracts you to the program?
4. What will you be able to offer the program?
5. Mention specific faculty of interest to you.
Writing Your Personal Statement
Some Do’s
• Write clearly, concisely.
• Make the essay about 2-3 pages
long.
• Use concrete examples.
• Use the vocabulary of your
intended discipline.
• Ask someone to critique your
statement of purpose.
• Proofread the statement by
reading it aloud or having
someone read it to you.
• Make sure you have time for
multiple revisions.
Some Don’ts
• Don’t write an autobiography.
• Don’t try to impress your reader
with your vocabulary.
• Don’t provide a collection of
generic statements and
platitudes.
• Don’t rely exclusively on your
computer to check your spelling.
• Don’t make up things!
• Don’t make lame excuses for
weak GPA or test scores.
Adapted from www.accepted.com
Applying to Graduate School
Timetable
Spring Junior Year
• Assess your interests, area of
study, degree.
• Start taking to Faculty about
your career plans and possible
programs and sources of
funding.
• Make sure you get involved in
research, independent study in
relevant areas.
Summer before Senior Yr
• Use internet and printed
resources to develop rough list
of programs and possible
funding sources.
• Start writing your personal
statement.
• Begin studying for GRE, GMAT,
etc.
Applying to Graduate School
Timetable
Fall Senior year
• Use internet, write programs for
admission information and
degree requirements.
• Consult with faculty and develop
final list of programs you’ll apply
to.
• Continue test prep.
• Take tests before end of October.
• Contact possible reference
writers before end of November.
Late Fall and early Spring
• Complete and send applications
well before deadlines.
• Consider visiting program.
• Cross your fingers.
Applying
• Why you need to apply early?
• Your application “package”.
Why Apply Early
(stuff happens)
• A student was not considered for admission because her application
package was incomplete. A 50 cent library fine resulted in a “hold” on her
transcripts and her undergraduate institution never sent them.
• A student applying for a Ph.D. in philosophy received a letter from a major
university rejecting his application for a Ph.D. in Germanic languages.
• A student was rejected by an internationally acclaimed architecture
program after his portfolio was reviewed by Prof. X. When he called to
inquire about the status of his application, Prof. Y picked up his portfolio,
glanced through it while the student was on hold, and reversed the
decision of Prof X. Thus was he admitted.
• One professor forgot to mail a wonderful letter of recommendation he
had written for his favorite advisee, and she was rejected.
Adapted from Graduate Admissions Essays by Donald Asher (Ten Speed Press)
Requesting Application Materials
Approximately 1 year before you plan to start your
program, request application materials from each
program of interest.
• Be prepared for application fees!
– Application fees generally run $40-150.
– Don’t make your decision based on the fee. Some schools
will waive the fee based on a letter from your
undergraduate financial aid officer.
• Set up an Activity Log and Timeline Sheet.
Adapted from Graduate Admissions Essays by Donald Asher (Ten Speed Press)
Activity Log and Timeline
Application Materials
Your application “package” will include:
• The Application – fill out correctly and completely.
• Official Transcripts – You need an official transcript
from each college/university attended. Allow 2 to 3
months for your request to be processed!
• Recommendation letters
• Personal statement
• Standardized Test Scores –You will have to arrange to
have scores sent to your intended programs.
Opportunities at Auburn
http://www.grad.auburn.edu/
RESOURCES
Finding programs
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
http://www.gradschools.com
http://gradsource.com
Graduate & Professional Programs - An Overview - by Robert E. Clark and John
Palattela
How to Get Into The Right Medical School by Carla S. Rogers
How to Get Into The Right Law School by Paul Lermack
The Official Guide to U.S. Law - Law School Admission & School Council and Services
The Official Guide to Financing Your MBA - Graduate Management Admission Council
The Official Guide to MBA Programs - Graduate Management Admission Council
The Directory of MBAs Edition XII - Second Edition
RESOURCES
Rankings:
• GRADSCHOOLS.com
• Peterson’s Guides to Graduate Programs www.petersons.com
– Graduate Programs in Biological Sciences
– Business, Education, Health, Law, Social Work & Information Studies
– Engineering & Applied Sciences
– Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences
– Physical Sciences, Mathematics & Agricultural Sciences
• www.usnews.com
• Directory of Graduate Programs- Educational Testing Service.
• The GOURMAN Report-Graduate Programs - Princeton Review.
career.csusb.edu/Book%20List.doc
RESOURCES
Graduate Admissions Exams:
• GRE: www.gre.org
• LSAT: www.lsat.org or
• GMAT: www.mba.com
• MCAT: www.aamc.org
• DAT: http://www.ada.org/index.asp (dentistry)
• OCAT: telephone 312/440-2683 (optometry)
• PCAT: http://www.pcatweb.info1-800-622-3231
(pharmacy)
• VCAT 1-800-622-3231 (veterinary school)
http://www.auburn.edu/~xzq0001
2016/3/15
35
Questions
http://www.eng.auburn.edu/~xqin
2016/3/15
36