Next Steps: Grad School, Interviews, Financial Aid Prof. Carla Purdy, DEECS, 820 Rhodes, [e-mail] [ these slides: secs.ceas.uc.edu/~cpurdy/gradschool_2013.ppt ]

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Next StepsGrad School, Interviews, Financial
AidProf. Carla Purdy, DEECS, 820 Rhodes,
carla.purdy_at_uc.edu these slides
secs.ceas.uc.edu/cpurdy/gradschool_2013.ppt

• Why Should I Go to Grad School? (faculty /
  student views)
• M.S.? Ph.D.? M.D.? Ph.D./M.D.? .?
• Part-time?
• How Do I Decide Where To Apply?
• How Do I Make My Application Strong?
• How Do I Get In? What is the Process?
• How Do I Pay for It?
• What Will Help Me Succeed in My Grad Program?

Choosing your path
Starting strong
Going the distance
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• Choosing your path
• Why Should I Go to Graduate School? (Faculty
  View)
• ?Pros
• --more interesting work
• --more career flexibility
• --higher pay (sometimes)
• --university community
• diverse, young, new ideas
• ?Cons
• --intense work hours not limited
• --working conditions
• --lower pay (sometimes)

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• Choosing your path
• Why Should I Go to Graduate School? (Student
  View)
• ?Pros?
• ?Cons?

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• Choosing your path
• M.S.? Ph.D.? M.D.? Ph.D./M.D.? .?
• ?Where do you see yourself in 5 yrs? 10 yrs?
• ?Balance school /work /family /other interests
• ?Can you decide later?
• ?Who are your role models?
• ?What did you like about research /
• shadowing /internship opportunities?

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• Choosing your path
• Part-time?
• ?Probably not the best way to do
• graduate work
• ?Employer may help with tuition
• ?Some programs FOR part-time
• students--but be wary of these

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• Starting strong
• How Do I Decide Where To Apply?
• Collect Information!!!!
• (This is easier than ever)
• Useful Web Site
• http//www.gradschools.com/Category/Applying-to-Gr
  aduate-School/202.html

Information on Applying Graduate Student
Stories Life After Grad School Surviving
Grad School ..
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• Starting strong
• How Do I Decide Where To Apply? (cont.)
• ?Focus Your Interests
• ?Assess Your Strengths / Weaknesses
• ?Ask Questions
• --Mentor (s)
• --Grad Students You Know
• --Other Faculty
• ?Research Likely Programs / Advisors
• --web pages
• --contact faculty be specific (interview)
• --visit if possible
• ?Actual Applications
• --Reasonable Range
• --Customize each application

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• Starting strong
• How Do I Make My Application Strong?
• ?GRADES
• ?RECOMMENDATIONS
• --academic/professional
• --recommender should know you well
• ?ENRICHMENT
• --internships
• --summer research programs
• --shadowing
• ?ESSAYS
• --what are your long-term goals?
• --how can YOU contribute to the program?

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• Starting strong
• How Do I Get In?/What is the Process?
• ? Web Information--College / Dept.
• ? Dont Procrastinate--DEADLINES!!
• ? Be proactive make sure file is complete, e.g.
• ?Usual Stuff--Transcripts,GRE,GMAT,...
• ? Some Things Are Different
• --Personal Statement / Focused Goal
• --Recommendations
• --Interview / Campus Visit
• Special RequirementsMed School,
• Law School, etc.

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• Starting strong
• Personal Statement
• --be honest
• --be literate--spelling, grammar
• --be positive and assertive
• about your accomplishments
• --include RELEVANT information
• --get feedback--lab mates, mentor

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• Starting strong
• Recommendations
• --NOT from your friends, family
• --research mentor would be great
• --professors who know you
• --your boss? Maybe (if job experience is
  relevant to skills needed in grad/med school)
• --provide information (c.v., your statement,
  stamped and addressed envelopes, etc.) to make
  writing the recommendation easy
• --learn the art of gentle nagging--make sure
  recommendations are submitted on time

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• Starting strong
• Interview / Campus Visit
• --job interview--be professional
• --be yourself but be informed
• --be preparedknow specific
• information about their program
• --talk to people who have been
• through the process
• --PRACTICE beforehand
• --(RELAX!!--but not too much)

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• Starting strong
• Improving Your Chances
• --dont interview at your top school first
• --if at first you dont succeed..
• get feedbackfrom the program itself if possible
• work on improving your chances the next time

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• Starting strong
• How Do I Pay for It?
• ?Tuition Fees / Living Expenses (Stipend)
• ? Main Sources of Support
• --Teaching Assistantships
• --Research Assistantships
• --Fellowshipsoften separate application
• --National Science Foundation
• --AAUW, etc.
• --Laboratory Jobs
• --Grad Student Loans
• --(Your Employer)

Usually part of regular application
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• Going the distance
• What Do I Do Once Im In?
• ?Information from campus visit
• ?Learn written/UNWRITTEN rules ASK
  QUESTIONS!!!!!!!
• ?Identify mentors
• ?Choose a GOOD advisor
• ?Ph.D.--learn how to do well on qualifying exam
• ?Establish a community of support
• --adequate living / study conditions
• --study partners
• --mentors
• --friends old and new
• --family
• ?Line up some study partners
• ?Books, web--e.g., The Womans Guide to
  Navigating the Ph.D. in Engineering and Science
  (do not pay 56get a used copy!)
• ?Build your career in your global community