Timothy M. Pinkston Professor, USC

1. CDC/CRA CHiPsMentoring WorkshopHow Do I Apply for Graduate School and What Grants Are Available To Me? Timothy M. Pinkston Professor, USC

2. Four Phases to Pursuing Grad Studies • Preparation • to provide you with the best opportunity for success • Application • to the graduate schools of your choice • to internal and external funding sources • Admission* • decided by schools based on many factors • Selection • based on your preferences and funding obtained

3. Preparation Phase • Envision your long-term career goals • Industry or national laboratory • Researcher • product developer • management • Academia • Professor and/or researcher at a research institution • Professor at a primarily teaching institution • university administration • Career goals drive your near-term degree objectives • Master’s degree only • Ph.D. degree (can earn a Master’s along the way)

4. Preparation Phase • Excel in your upper-level course-work • high GPA speaks volumes about your scholastic abilities • a positive-trending GPA benefits you • Identify your scholarly interests • these drive your emphasis area(s) of study • engage with faculty, graduate students who align with them • Explore your interests through research experiences • many opportunities exist for REUs; just seek them out • useful for your statement of purpose and letters of rec. • Decide on a set of graduate schools to apply to • preferred top 2 to 3 (web search, campus visits, interaction) • back-ups—at least 2 • Study for and take the GRE • Important that you score well

5. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) • A standardized test used to measure verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking, and analytical writing skills (offered at computer-based test centers) • Verbal (30 min.): 30 multiple-choice Q’s (800 maximum score) • analogies, antonyms, sentence completion, reading comprehension • Quantitative (45 min.): 28 multiple-choice Q’s (800 max. score) • problem solving, quantitative comparison • Analytical Writing (75 min.): two essays (6 maximum score) • Issue task (45 min.): “Present your perspective on [an issue…]” • Argument task (30 min.): “Analyze [an argument…]” • Subject tests: not required by most graduate schools • Preparation for the GRE • free GRE “Powerprep” software (www.ets.org/gre) • www.ets.org/Media/Tests/GRE/pdf/gre_0809_practice_book.pdf • many commercial GRE courses: TestMasters, PowerScore, …

6. Application Phase • Personal information • contact and demographic • financial aid • Academic background • schools and degrees earned/expected • GPA (undergraduate and graduate, as applicable) • GRE scores (verbal, quantitative, analytical) • Additional (required) information • scholarly interests and faculty with whom you wish to work • resume or curriculum vitae (2-4 pages) • list of recommenders (typically up to 3) • statement of purpose (typically up to 2 pages) • letters of recommendation (typically 3) • official transcripts (from each school attended)

7. Statement of Purpose, Recommenders • A cogent statement that reveals your preparation, scholarly interests, career goals, and fit in the program/school to which you are applying • past research experiences and academic accomplishments (e.g., research artifacts, publications, awards and honors) • particular areas of specialization, interests • how the degree facilitates your ultimate career pursuits • uniqueness(s) of the program, department, faculty, projects • get others to review it and provide feedback (e.g., faculty) • List of trusted recommenders • should be tenure-track faculty (not lecturers or employers) • best if faculty with whom you did research, did very well in courses they taught, or otherwise had meaningful interactions • should write confidently, persuasively about your qualifications

8. Selection Phase • Match your interests with school’s strengths • Consider the school’s reputation • Financial Issues • Assistantships • Teaching assistantship (TA), research assistantship (RA) • Fellowships • External (NSF, NDSEG, GEM, Ford Foundation, etc.) • Internal (Chancellor’s, Provost’s, Dean’s, Diversity, etc.) • Outside Jobs • Sometimes employers will pay for their employees to pursue advanced degrees • Loans or self-finance • Typically if you pursue a Master’s degree only

9. Resources(compiled by Nancy Amato, TAMU) • Advice for Undergraduates Considering Grad School (Phil Agre) • http://polaris.gseis.ucla.edu/pagre/grad-school.html • Discusses what grad school is like, what to do as an undergrad to prepare, and the application process • CRA-W publication: The Graduate Student Information Guide • http://www.cra-w.org/sites/default/files/grad-guide.pdf • Discusses advantages of obtaining an advanced degree, choosing the right graduate school, the application process, and financing graduate study • Choosing a Ph.D. Program In Computer Science (Rachel Pottinger) • http://www.acm.org/crossroads/xrds6-1/choosing.html • Discusses the application process and financing graduate studies • How to Succeed in Graduate School: A Guide for Students and Advisors: Parts I & II (Marie des Jardins) • Part I: http://www.acm.org/crossroads/xrds1-2/advice1.html • Part II: http://www.acm.org/crossroads/xrds1-3/advice2.html • Discusses strategies for succeeding in graduate school, the advisor-student relationship, what a graduate student should expect to accomplish, common problems and solutions • Financing Graduate School – Fellowships and Scholarships • http://www.cs.tamu.edu/academics/scholarships#national

10. Fellowship Opportunities for Graduate Studies

11. NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program • Directorate for Education & Human Resources, Division of Graduate Education • “Fellowships for graduate study leading to research-based master’s or doctoral degrees in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) relevant to the mission of the National Science Foundation” • Fellowship Opportunity (Deadline: usually November annually) • $30,000/yr stipend and $10,500 tuition allowance for up to three years • 900 – 1,600 awards per year • Eligibility Requirements • U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent resident aliens of the U.S. • Individuals in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics • Individuals with adequate preparation to begin graduate studies • Individuals who have not completed more than 12 months full-time grad study • Contact Information • GRF Operations Center (866) 673-4838, help@nsfgrfp.org • Program Officer: William J. Hahn, (703) 292-8545, whahn@nsf.gov • Program web site: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2008/nsf08593/nsf08593.htm

12. Ford Foundation Diversity Fellowship • Administered by the National Research Council for the National Academies • “The Ford Foundation Diversity Fellowships seek to increase the diversity of the nation’s college and university faculties by increasing their ethnic and racial diversity, to maximize the educational benefits of diversity, and to increase the number of professors who can and will use diversity as a resource for enriching the education of all students.” • Fellowship Opportunities (Deadline: usually November annually) • 60 Pre-doctoral Awards of $20,000/yr for up to three years • 35 Dissertation Awards of $21,000 for one year • 20 Postdoctoral Awards of $40,000 for one year • Eligibility Requirements • All citizens or US nationals regardless of race, origin, gender, disability • Individuals with evidence of superior academic achievement • Individuals committed to a career in teaching and research at university level • Individuals enrolled in or planning to enroll in an eligible research-based program leading to a Ph.D. or Sc.D. degree at a US educational institution • Individuals who have not earned a doctoral degree at any time, in any field • Contact Information • Fellowships Office, GR 346A, (202) 334-2872web site: http://national-academies.org/fellowships • e-mail: mailto:infofell@nas.edu

13. Department of Energy Computational Science Graduate Fellowship (DOE CGSF) • Funded by DOE’s Office of Science and National Nuclear Security Administration • “The DOE CSGF trains scientists to meet the nation’s workforce needs and helps to create a nationwide interdisciplinary community.  The fellowship provides support and guidance to some of the nation’s best scientific graduate students, and these graduates now work in DOE laboratories, private industry and educational institutions.  Over 250 students at more than 50 U.S. universities have trained as Fellows, and the demand is only growing.” • Fellowship Opportunities (Deadline: usually in May annually) • Full tuition and fees, as well as a stipend of $31,200, an $1000 academic allowance, and $2,475 available for computer support • Four year limit, renewable each year • Eligibility Requirements • U.S. citizens or permanent residents • For first and second year graduate students pursuing a PhD full-time in the physical, engineering, computer, mathematical, or life sciences • “Exceptional” senior undergraduate students are also eligible • Open to all qualified persons without regard to race, sex, disability, etc. • Contact InformationDOE CSGF Program Coordinator, (515) 956-3696 website: http://www2.krellinst.org/csgf/index.shtml email: csgf@krellinst.org

14. NASA Harriett G. Jenkins Pre-Doctoral Fellowship Program (JPFP): (United Negro College Fund Special Programs) • “The Harriett G. Jenkins Pre-doctoral Fellowship Program (JPFP) increases the number of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities participating in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) workforce, thereby helping to eliminate the shortage of skilled workers in STEM-related disciplines.” • Fellowship Opportunities (Deadline: usually in February annually) • Approximately 20 awards made annually • Support includes a stipend and tuition offset: annual stipends for master's degrees start at $16,000; annual stipends for doctoral degrees start at $22,000; annual tuition offsets for either start at $8,500 • Three year limit • Eligibility Requirements • U.S. citizens (permanent residents are not eligible) • Undergraduate seniors or within 3rd year of graduate studies to pursue Master’s or PhD in STEM disciplines full time • Minimum GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0 scale • Open to all qualified persons without regard to race, sex, disability, etc. • Contact Information:UNCF Special Programs Corporation, (703) 677-3400website: www.uncfsp.org/nasa/jenkins email: portal@uncfsp.org

15. National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship Program: • By American Society for Engineering Education for the Dep’t of Defense • “The Program seeks to identify individuals whose scientific and engineering credentials will support study culminating in doctoral degrees. The primary goal of the Program is to provide the United States with talented, doctorally-trained American men and women who will lead state-of-the-art research projects in disciplines of greatest benefit to national defense.” • Fellowship Opportunities (Deadline: usually in January annually) • Provides full tuition; stipend of $30,500 (1st yr), $31,000 (2nd yr), $31,500 (3rd yr); three year limit • Eligibility Requirements • U.S. citizens and nationals (permanent residents are not eligible) • Apply during senior year or before completing one year of graduate studies • Applications encouraged from women, persons with disabilities, and members of ethnic groups historically underrepresented in science and engineering fields • Fellowship Statistics for Computer and Computational Sciences (2001-2008) • 2383 (total applicants); 157 (total offers) • 7% (applicants receiving offers per discipline); 9% (fellows overall) • Contact Information NDSEG Fellowship Program, (202) 331-3516 website: http://www.asee.org/ndseg (FAQ: http://www.asee.org/ndseg/faq.cfm) email: ndseg@asee.org

16. Ralph W. Shrader Diversity Fellowship • Administered by the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Administration (AFCEA)Educational Foundation • “The Ralph W. Shrader Diversity Scholarship was developed to provide educational opportunities for talented individuals pursuing advanced degrees at the master's level and to acknowledge and honor the unique contributions of Dr. Ralph W. Shrader [who] championed increased opportunities for women and minorities in the communications and electronics fields.” • Fellowship Opportunities (Deadline: usually in February annually) • $3,000 scholarships for full-time Master’s students • $15,000 fellowships for full-time Ph.D students • Eligibility Requirements • U.S. citizens (permanent residents are not eligible) • In field of electrical, electronics, chemical, systems or communications engineering; physics; mathematics; or computer science • Target candidates are from underrepresented • Contact Information AFCEA Educational Foundation c/o Norma Corrales, Director of Scholarships and Awards Program (703) 631-6149 or (800) 336-4583, ext. 6149 website: http://www.afcea.org/education/scholarships/graduate/grad2.asp email: scholarship@afcea.org

17. GEM Fellowships • Administered by the National Consortium for Graduate Degrees for Minorities in Engineering and Science, Inc. (GEM) • “GEM offers MS- and PhD-level students an outstanding opportunity and access to dozens of the top Engineering and Science firms and universities in the nation. The GEM Fellowship was designed to focus on promoting opportunities for individuals to enter industry at the graduate level in areas such as research and development, product development, and other high level technical careers. GEM also offers exposure opportunities to a number of opportunities in academe. ” • Fellowship Opportunities (Deadline: usually November 1 annually) • $14,000 for PhD ($10,000 for MS) stipend in year 1 of the PhD program • GEM Member University supports years 2-5 of PhD equivalent to other funded doctorate students in the department • Min. of one (two for MS) paid summer internships with a GEM employer • full tuition and fees at a GEM member university • Eligibility Requirements • U.S. citizens (permanent residents are not eligible) • Must be a junior, senior, or graduate of an engineering or computer science ABET-accredited program at the time of application, with a minimum GPA of 2.8/4.0 • Candidates from underrepresented groups in science and engineering • Contact Information The National GEM Consortium, (202) 457-8672 website: http://www.gemfellowship.org/