Applying for Graduate SchoolsAndy WangOperating Systems

Myth 1

I cannot afford graduate school

RealityGraduate school is FREE (pretty much)For both public and private schoolsIf you are good enough to get into a graduate schoolScholarships/grantsResearch assistantship (work for a lab)Teaching assistantship (work for a class)

Myth 2

I wont have a chance to get into a graduate school

RealityYou are in luckIf you are a US citizen or permanent residentNot enough US students are pursuing graduate schoolsYour major advantagesEligible for many funding sourcesNo language barriersLower cost to hire you as a research assistant or teaching assistant

Myth 3

Graduate curriculum is just like the undergraduate curriculum

RealityTake fewer classes per semesterMasterEmphasis on developmentPh.D.Discover something newEmphasis on research

Some Cool Research AreasAI and robotics (hoarding ducks)Olfactory researchWearable computingLife-long storageSPAM filtering

A Typical Graduate CourseNot as much guidanceProject-orientedYou need to develop your own projects

Metric of SuccessUndergraduateGPAMasterProjects, thesis, skill setPh.D.Number of quality publications

Application ProcessRequirementsPersonal statement GPA, max(overall, major, upper division)Two GRE exams3 to 4 recommendation letters Relevant upper-division coursesIndependent studiesInternships

Personal StatementInterested research areasWhy are they intriguing?Research experience/projectsWhat have you tried and learned?Why do you need a master/Ph.D?Why do you pick this school?

GRE ExamsComputer science GRETheorySystemsArchitectureGeneral GREEnglishMath

Recommendation LettersHow to approach?If you receive an A in a classAsk the professor as quickly as possibleTry to use the letter of recommendation serviceSubmit an envelopeGraduate program names, degrees, schools, deadlinesPhoto, personal statement, resume, transcriptEnvelopes and beautiful stamps

Other ApproachesVolunteer forIndependent studyInternship for companies

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