The following question and answers regarding Graduate School in CS was compiled from the Computer Science Undergraduate Student Board's Graduate School Panel held February 12, 2007.
Q: When should I start researching?
A: Before senior year. Summer makes a great time. Look for interesting professor projects and ask them if they need your assistance.
Q: When applying for grad school how do you weigh your GPA and interests, etc?
A: Professors will put you in contact with other professors in your area. Recommendations are important! Convince the grad school that you are able to do coursework and independent research. Start taking grad classes as an undergrad. Know faculty so they can recommend you and don’t ask your adviser for a recommendation. Good recommendations come from well known professors. Three or more letters are usually required. Try giving professors a template recommendation to work with. Make sure professor’s interests match what you are applying for. Think of it as applying for a professor at a school, not the school itself. Mention your professor’s research projects in your application.
Q: How common is it for undergrads to be published?
A: Not common but it makes for a very strong application.
Q: Funding?
A: Most grad students are funded by Fellowships, RA ships and TA ships. Fellowships include NSF, DOD, Herts, etc and are a big part of grad school. TA ships are funded by the school and are generally for students that will become professors or want to build their teaching portfolio. You can be a TA as an undergrad. RA ships are funded by the professor’s research fund and are generally for research and PhD students.
Q: Master’s or PhD?
A: Some schools favor a certain degree. Be careful with PhD programs that are separate from the masters programs; you may not be able to switch without reapplying. If you want to do research you should have a PhD. A PhD also closes some doors and there is no financial gain to getting a PhD.
Q: What is the cost of applying to grad school?
A: Can be as mush as $1400. About $150 for GRE and $50 to $100 per school application. Not all schools require GRE exams. Don’t take the GRE subject tests unless absolutely required. Plan the fall semester of your senior year in advance.
Q: How hard is it to go to grad school after being in industry?
A: You loose contacts at school. It gets harder the longer you wait but it is possible. You should be motivated by personal desire to do research not money, etc. You will be exposed to new ideas for companies through grad school. Research and travel are great fun!
Q: Is it OK to do your undergrad and graduate work at the same school?
A: Yes. It can help you maintain contacts and stay where you are interested, but be prepared to defend your decision.
Q: What is the grad school graduation rate?
A: Not many completely drop out. No specific statistics for Purdue are available. Some students get pulled out through qualifying exams, life changes, industry “temptation,” etc.
