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The “ Academic ” Track

The “ Academic ” Track. BA/BS —> MA/MS —> PhD (?) ==================================== Typically (in the sciences), most students who get a PhD enter directly from a BA/BS So… who gets an MA/MS? Why get an MA/MS? Will an MA/MS shorten the time to get a PhD?

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The “ Academic ” Track

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  1. The “Academic” Track • BA/BS —> MA/MS —> PhD (?) ==================================== • Typically (in the sciences), most students who get a PhD enter directly from a BA/BS • So… who gets an MA/MS? Why get an MA/MS? • Will an MA/MS shorten the time to get a PhD? • How/where are most MA/MS degrees earned?

  2. Getting a PhDCan you afford it? • Typically (in the sciences), most students will receive a stipend (up to $30,000 in 2010) in addition to all tuition and fees • Why will “they” pay YOU to do something that will increase your job/pay prospects? [HINT: Think TA or RA]

  3. How Else Are Grad Schools Different? • Classes typically 1-2 years (maximum) • No Summer Vacation; this is WORK • PhD thesis is based on original ideas that are (typically) yours and your PhD supervisor’s; and on YOUR research • All programs have entrance exams, cumulative exams, qualifying exams, proposals, and/or other hurdles

  4. Preparing for Grad School & Getting Admitted to Grad School • GPA ≥ 3.0 (esp in UD classes in your major) • Successful UG Research or Internships or related & relevant Experience • 200-level (graduate level) coursework • Attend graduate level seminars in your department • Excellent letters of recommendation • GRE (Graduate Record Exam; equivalent to SAT in purpose/format) with high scores (of course)

  5. Choosing a Grad School • Discuss with your advisor or other faculty you trust/respect • Research what your experience will be like: • Typical time to degree? • Typical % who eventually obtain PhD? • Location and other misc. factors • DEFINITELY visit the school & meet/interview both faculty and students • Don’t consider a school with fewer than two research groups you would be interested in joining

  6. Completing a PhD • You MUST complete Publishable Research (& then you must publish it!) • Satisfy your Thesis Committee • Present a Departmental Seminar

  7. If You Screw Up • You will not “advance to candidacy” • You will get an MA/MS as a “consolation prize” • BUT this will still involve writing a thesis (that is of shorter length and lesser scope than a PhD thesis)

  8. If You Screw Up -- BIGTIME • You won’t even get the MA/MS degree

  9. What your thesis supervisor can do for you • Everything IF you are excellent at research • Rules will be bent for an excellent researcher who is so-so in course work; a poor research prospect usually won’t advance to candidacy • Your thesis supervisor is the closest you will ever come to having an additional parent

  10. Free and Easy? • Free --> YES • Easy --> NO; grad school is a BIG psychic and time commitment =============================== • How good will you need to be to get accepted to a PhD program? • How good will you need to be to complete the PhD?

  11. Is Grad School Right for YOU? • Perhaps??? • You will only find out by trying research and/or 200-level courses; and investigating the possibilities

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