Grad School Information NightGrad School Information Nightsponsored by HKNsponsored by HKN

David Salvia

EE Undergraduate Program Coordinator

Part I: Why Grad School?Part I: Why Grad School?Some Pros and ConsSome Pros and Cons

Good reasons for going to grad schoolGood reasons for going to grad school

• Want more in-depth knowledge– You want to learn more about a particular sub-

discipline of electrical engineering

• Advanced degree required for desired job– Academia– Research & Development

• Personal motivation

Bad reasons for going to grad schoolBad reasons for going to grad school

• Money

– Salaries are higher with advanced degree ($10k-$15k per degree) but this shouldn’t be your primary motivation

• Can’t get a job

Grad school is a major commitment, so your motivation has to be for the right reasons.

How does grad school differ How does grad school differ from an undergraduate from an undergraduate

program?program?• Course load is lighter

– Typically 6-12 credits/semester– MS is approximately 30 credits beyond BS– PhD is approximately 50 credits beyond BS

• Much more course flexibility– Very few required classes (if any)– You and your adviser select courses to fit your

interests and research needs

How does grad school differ How does grad school differ from an undergraduate from an undergraduate

program? program? (cont.)(cont.)

• More independent work– Research/thesis is a major part of your degree– More projects and fewer exams– Many exams are take home

• All courses will be technical

• Much higher international population– Great chance to make friends from all over the

world

Now or Later? Now or Later?

• Advantages of going straight to graduate school:– You’re used to being “poor”– You’re in a learning mode already and will more likely

remember your undergraduate material– You don’t have to juggle work/school– Less likely to have spouse/kids now

Now or later?Now or later?

• Advantages of waiting a few years to go to graduate school:– Company may pay for schooling or you can save

enough money to pay for it yourself– May have a better idea of research area– Can avoid school “burnout”

How do I pay my bills? How do I pay my bills? (Listed in decreasing order of desirability)(Listed in decreasing order of desirability)

• Fellowship– Tuition waiver + monthly stipend– Free money. No research/teaching obligation.– Some schools offer $2k-$5k “top-up” fellowships to

supplement RA/TA appointments

• Research/Teaching Assistantship– Tuition waiver + monthly stipend ($1500/mo.)

• Wage payroll jobs– Grad salary is $9/hour at PSU

• External jobs “Would you like fries with that?”

RA vs. TARA vs. TA

• Advantages of RA– Can double dip research duties and thesis work– Graduate quicker (on average)– More “prestigious”

• Advantages of TA– More freedom in choosing research area– Good experience if you’re looking to eventually get a job

in academia– Easier to obtain “sight unseen”

How do I select a grad school?How do I select a grad school?• Find out about the top schools in your desired major and sub-

discipline– Ask faculty in your desired area– Various surveys and on-line reports

• US News and World Report http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/grad/rankings/rankindex_brief.php

• Peterson’s Guidewww.petersons.com

– PSU’s Career Service Center (MBNA Building) www.sa.psu.edu/career/grad.shtml

– Look at where journal papers and textbooks come from

How do I select a grad school?How do I select a grad school? (cont.)(cont.)

• Focus your interest based on GPA

– > 3.5 top 5

– > 3.2 top 25

– > 2.8 be flexible

• Get information about schools

– Web

– Faculty/student contact

– Call/e-mail/FAX

How do I select a grad school?How do I select a grad school? (cont.)(cont.)

• Most important part . . .

VISIT!!!!!!!!– Meet with prospective advisers– Meet with current graduate students

How do I select an adviser?How do I select an adviser?

• Selecting a thesis adviser is often more important than selecting the school (although they’re related, obviously)– Select someone who is professionally active– If getting a PhD, be wary of untenured faculty, but

don’t discount completely– Talk to the adviser’s current students– Availability of support may affect your decision

What is the What is the idealideal timeline? timeline?• Spring of Junior year

– Make decision to attend grad school– Choose Senior electives appropriately

• Summer before Senior year– Narrow your search and visit prospective schools– Summer Research

• Fall of Senior year– GRE – Apply

• Spring of Senior year– Find out about applications status– Negotiate– Decide on a school, research area, and perhaps adviser

GRE InformationGRE Information• General Test vs. Subject Test

– Most schools just require general test

• General Test format– all computer based now – no paper test– offered year-round in select PA locations

• Allentown, Clark Summit, Erie, Harrisburg, Indiana, Lancaster, North Wales, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, York,

but NO STATE COLLEGE – 3 sections: Verbal , Quantitative, Analytical writing essay (new)

• Cost is currently $115

• To apply: 1-800-GRE-CALL

• More info (FAQ, sample questions, etc.): www.gre.org

If I’m a Junior, what can I do If I’m a Junior, what can I do nownow to prepare? to prepare?

• Undergraduate summer research– EE Job listserv is filled with lots of opportunities in Feb-

March for current Jrs.

• Teaching Intern program– Senior year – apply as Juniors

• Select appropriate classes– Wide variety is better than single area– Don’t shy away from hard classes

(STAT 418, EE 459, etc.)

Part II: Grad School at PSUPart II: Grad School at PSU

Research AreasResearch Areas• Communications

• Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition

• Networking

• Signal and Image Processing

• Control Systems

• Power Systems

• Electro-optics and non-linear optics

• Microwaves, Antennas, and Propagation

• Remote Sensing and Space Systems

• Circuits and Networks

• Electronic Materials and Devices

• VLSI

FundingFunding• Teaching Assistantships

– Approx. 30/year– Tuition Waiver (including summer)– Monthly stipend of approx. $1500 (10 months)– 20 hours/week typically

• Research Assistantships– Approx. 120/year– Arranged through professors– Tuition Waiver and stipend– Hours vary

• Applied Research Lab (citizens only)

Funding Funding (cont.)(cont.)

• Internal Fellowships– Numbers vary each year

– Stipend from $3000 - $20,000 / year

– Some awards are “top-up” supplements to existing assistantships; others are stand-alone fellowships with tuition waivers

• External Fellowships or company-reimbursed tuition

Applying to PSUApplying to PSU

• To be considered for all forms of funding, applications should be in by the end of the Fall Semester of the year prior to admission.

• Application must include:– Transcript– Application forms (General + Department) with personal statement– Three Letters of Recommendation– GRE scores (General Test ONLY)– TOEFL scores if you are an international student

• International students who did undergrad in the US don’t need the TOEFL

Applying to PSU Applying to PSU (cont.)(cont.)

• Decision for acceptance/funding based on:– Grades -- 3.0 GPA is minimum (typically)– Other experience -- put in personal statement– Technical interests -- some areas have large student

demand, whereas others are desperate for students right now. Switching to a less popular (by student standards, not job standards) area can often increase your chances for funding.

– GRE scores

M.S. RequirementsM.S. Requirements

• Thesis Option– 24 course credits (15 at 500 level)– 2 colloquium credits– 6 thesis credits– Formal defense of thesis

• Paper Option– 30 course credits (21 at 500 level)– 2 colloquium credits– 2 paper credits– Presentation of paper

Ph. D. RequirementsPh. D. Requirements

• 48 course credits beyond B.S.

(at least 30 at 500 level)

• 2 colloquium credits

• Written and oral candidacy exam

• Ph.D. English proficiency exam

• Oral Comprehensive exam

• Formal Defense of thesis