Transcript Slide 1
What is Grad School?
Two qualitatively different degrees offered
1. Master’s Degree
• Advanced, specialized training.
• Can be as simple as 1-2 more years of class.
• Thesis is a (desirable!) option. This will be advisordriven (as opposed to student-driven PhD thesis).
2. Ph.D.
• Training to be a researcher.
• Must publish papers, must produce thesis that is
substantially your own intellectual work.
• 2 years of class + ? years of thesis research. Usually
total of 7 years after BS.
Why do it?
Master’s degree can be a road to promotion, higher
salary or more responsibility in a private sector job.
Starting Salaries in Private Sector by Field and Degree
Field
Phys
Chem
ME
ECE
BS
$45,000 $37,000 $58,500 $59,500
Master’s $60,000 $51,000 $66,000 $69,900
Sources: aip.org, acs.org, career.eng.ohio-state.edu
Why do it?
Ph.D. may look like more of the same…
Starting Salaries in Private Sector by Field and Degree
Field
Phys
Chem
ME
ECE
BS
$45,000 $37,000 $58,500 $59,500
Master’s $60,000 $51,000 $66,000 $69,900
PhD
$80,000 $70,500 $78,800 $89,000
Sources: aip.org, acs.org, career.eng.ohio-state.edu
…but don’t forget
about the 7-year
head start.
Median Time to Degree
9.0
8.0
7.0
6.0
5.0
4.0
3.0
2.0
1.0
0.0
physical
sciences
engineering
life
sciences
social
sciences
(physics)
Sources: nsf.gov, aip.org, acs.org
Why do it?
Seven years (plus catch up time of 10+ years) is
very delayed gratification…
…and don’t forget that many PhDs take academic
(not private sector) jobs…
(PHYSICS PhDs)
Why do it?
If you’re going to tackle a PhD, you have to actually
like what you’re doing…at least sometimes.
Why do it?
If the PhD sounds exciting but a bit daunting,
consider applying to a Master’s program and doing a
thesis.
• Thesis will give you a lower-stakes opportunity to “try out”
research and see if you like it.
• If the thesis goes well, you can ask about doing a PhD with
your advisor (if it goes really well, they will ask you).
• If you like research but not the program you picked, you
have the flexibility to take your Master’s and apply to a
different school’s PhD program, or even to a different
program at the same school.
Where to go?
Broad rankings by program can help get you started…
• phds.org is a cool interactive site that links to the raw data
so you can play with it yourself.
• gradschoolshopper.com is a commercial site run by AIP,
but beware of the featured programs here. They paid for
this status, they didn’t earn it!
…but they don’t tell the whole story.
• To be successful, you have to pick a subfield and find a
school that specializes in it.
• You’ll need help from faculty to construct a robust list that
includes the hidden gems.
Where to go?
Once you have a good list of possibilities, you’ll have
to narrow it down.
• VERY important to find a school where more than one
faculty does what you want to do as their primary interest.
• Presence of a “center” in your subfield is great (check if you
can apply directly to that center).
• Check who the school is hiring. Look for assistant
professors in the subfield (or even job openings).
• If possible, check where the recent graduates are going.
• Check department awards for faculty and for students.
• Is there a colloquium series dedicated to your subfield?
How to go, part 1: Applying
Instructions can be found at the department or
program websites.
You’ll have to provide:
• Letters of recommendation (2-3).
• GRE general test ($160) scores and perhaps a GRE subject
test ($140).
• Official transcript (often a minimum GPA).
• Fee (something like $50-$80 depending on program).
• Probably a personal statement or the like.
• A “CV” (academic resume).
How to go, part 1: Applying
Deadlines are approaching – fast.
• Application deadlines range from mid December to March 1,
with a definite peak in January.
• You’ll hear back in March and accept in April for “first wave”.
How to go, part 1: Applying
You can’t just put it together at the last minute.
• Computer based GRE requires about 2 weeks for score
reporting, and it can get booked up (next weekend computer
test available in Madison is Dec. 11).
• Subject tests are only paper-based and take 1.5 months for
score reporting. UWP holds one Nov 13, but late signup
deadline is THIS FRIDAY (22nd)!! Next available date is April
9, but you have to go to Dubuque or Madison.
• Your recommenders will need some time to write letters
(and perhaps a reminder). Ask them at least a week in
advance. These can make-or-break the application.
How to go, part 2: Paying
Good news (finally): grad “school” in science is a JOB.
Program
Stated Tuition Actual Tuition + Stipend
UW-Madison EP
$10k (in WI)
Free, +$up to $20.8k
Purdue ME
$23.8 k
Free, +$16 k
Carnegie Mellon EE
$35.7 k
Free, +$19k
Michigan Tech CE
$8.4k
Free, +$9.5k
U. Washington Nano
$19k
Free, +$27-$35k
U. Toledo Math
$9.1 k
Free, +$12k
Michigan Chemistry
$28.5k
Free, +$25k
The Strange Capitalism of Grad School
PhD Programs
Different types of support exist.
• TA is common in early years (before thesis research starts).
teach undergraduate courses (10 x $12.9k @ UW EP)
• Research assistantship is a must during heavy research
years.
perform research (51 x $19.6k @ UW EP)
• Or, if you’re a star, go for (or just get offered) a fellowship.
government, department, university (5 x $20.8k @ UW EP)
In PhD programs, support indicates interest. If none
offered (OR wrong type), take the hint.
The Strange Capitalism of Grad School
Master’s Programs
Same types of support exist, but you’ll potentially have
to compete w/ PhD students.
•Programs assume PhD students need support (they’re going
to be there seven years!!).
• Programs realize many students do masters for career
advancement (you may actually get an employer to pay for it!)
so they don’t assume you need funding.
• You’ll have to aggressively seek funding by asking faculty
about research support, or (less desirable with such a limited
time to get your degree) applying for teaching assignments.
How to go, part 2: Paying
In case this all sounds too good to be true…
If you apply and are admitted…
TOUR THE DEPARTMENT BEFORE ACCEPTING.
• Often there is a “prospectives weekend” where you can
meet other admitted grads and the department will have
activities for you. They should house you and feed you plus
probably pay transportation.
• You can potentially get reimbursement to tour on your own
even if you can’t make their designated weekend. Still a vital
chance to meet the researchers, see the facilities, and talk to
grad students.
If you are a Junior
Start laying the groundwork now.
A truly great idea is to apply for REUs this summer at
programs you might consider.
• You’ll get a sneak peek at the program and a potential
advisor.
• You’ll have a strong letter of recommendation.
• You’ll have a better idea if grad school is right for you.
Failing that, do research for someone here. Many of the
same advantages apply.
You can also look for cool programs like:
http://studentservices.engr.wisc.edu/diversity/opps/
Pros
What’s to like about grad school?
• In some ways the most independence you can have (paid to
study what you want to study, and with resources like a good
library, other interested students, expert professors,
professional talks, etc, at your fingertips).
• You can play with really awesome stuff (lasers, liquid
helium, superconductors, SEM, AFM, telescopes,
supercomputers, particle colliders…).
• Done right, grad school will improve your self confidence
and teach you how to sell yourself and your work.
• You can put off a career decision for a bit while still
improving your resume!
• To succeed you will have to establish relationships that will
serve you well for the rest of your career.