Graduate School at Kutztown University: Your Guide to Success
Considering graduate school? This comprehensive guide to Kutztown University explores key factors to help you decide. Delve into career advancement opportunities, the importance of faculty and program selection, and how to choose your area of study. Understand the academic preparation needed, including coursework and research opportunities. Learn about the application process, including deadlines, GRE requirements, and the importance of personal statements. Equip yourself with the knowledge to make informed decisions and ensure a fulfilling academic journey.
Graduate School at Kutztown University: Your Guide to Success
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Presentation Transcript
Thinking About Graduate School? K. T. A. February 22, 2007
You know you’re a redneck if . . • Fewer than half of your cars run. • You think that beef jerky and Moon Pies are two of the major food groups. • You've ever used a weedeater indoors. • You mow your lawn and find a car. • http://www.thatwasfunny.com/you-know-youre-a-redneck-if/532 Kutztown University
Overview • Should you go? • Where to go • How to get ready • How to get there Kutztown University
Should You Go? • If you can do it, DO IT • Career advancement • Job satisfaction • $$ • Especially if you like . . • Challenges • New opportunities • Interesting work • and don’t like . . • Same ol’ same ol’ • to be bored Kutztown University
If you do go . . • What level? • CS or . . ? Kutztown University
What level? • PhD if you can • 1 trip instead of 2 • Best time is NOW • 5 Year Masters is a good option • Short time frame • Low startup cost • Good quality Kutztown University
CS or . . ? • Many areas of study • IT • IS • Informatics • MIS • HCI • Design Kutztown University
CS or . . ? • Many specializations within CS • Robotics • Computer vision • Bioinformatics • Many others • Which best fits your • Abilities • Interests Kutztown University
Where to go • Types of rankings • U.S. News and World Report • NAGPS • http://www.cs.ucf.edu/newsletter/vol1/issue_one/ranking.html • Many good schools • Central principle – best for you Kutztown University
How to Choose • Considerations • Faculty • Program • Areas of specialty/centers of study • Graduation rate • Location Kutztown University
Getting to Know the School • Quality • of offerings • of faculty • publication history • collaboration history (esp. with advisees) • 90% is relationship with thesis advisor • Relationships with industry • Areas of expertise • Treatment of students • graduation rate (CMU vs. Duke) • hoops vs. research (UVA) Kutztown University
How to Choose • Cast a wide net • Check out web sites • Look for specifics • Establish your own criteria • Desiderata • Sine qua non • Create a “short list” Kutztown University
Choosing an Area of Study • Starting points • topic • person • school • conference • journal Kutztown University
Choosing an Area of Study • Fanning out • Bibliography • Node hopping with tabbed browsing • School to person • to paper • to conference • to lecture • to person • to school • Etc. Kutztown University
Choosing an Area of Study • Download papers • directly accessible • MIT • CMU • others • ACM – KU has subscription via library • IEEE – good luck! Kutztown University
Getting Ready • World has changed • WWC = worldwide competition • 1 > 0 • So take 1 step Kutztown University
How to Get Ready • Academic preparation • Application preparation Kutztown University
Academic Preparation – Course Work • Depends on area of study (see CS or . .) • Math • Core CS areas (depends somewhat on school) • Algorithms & complexity • Automata theory • Operating systems • Artificial intelligence • Software engineering • Networking Kutztown University
Academic Preparation – Research • Seek research opportunities • REUs • KU - URC • Collaborate with faculty Kutztown University
Academic Preparation - Research • Your cup of tea? • Undergrad research opportunities (see above) • Undergrad presentations & publications • PACISE • Moravian • St. Joe’s • U.R. journals • Finding research areas (see above) Kutztown University
How to Get There • Preparing to apply • Know Deadlines – some very early • Fall or Spring? • Line up references • Keep up with schoolwork • Schedule your work • Keep up with coursework • Plan for interference (e.g., Dec. 15) Kutztown University
How to Get There - GREs • Schedule them • Which test? • Morning only • Subject GRE? (depends on school) • Math GRE • To study or not? • KU • Lehigh • Changes coming • Retake? Kutztown University
Application • Prepare ahead of time • Will need • transcript • references (gentle, diplomatic reminders) • resume • personal statement • other (depends on school) • Variety of formats • internet • paper • hybrid Kutztown University
Application – Allow Plenty of Time • References need time • Schedule for each application • Can be up to a day per • Each one is different • Time to sort it out Kutztown University
And Above All . . Don’t Give Up ! Kutztown University