Planning for graduate school

1. Planning for graduate school Robert Ellis Applied Mathematics, IIT

2. Good web resources • American Mathematical Society (AMS) page for undergraduates • Best schools • Who’s supporting grad students • Graduate fellowships • REU’s, semester programs, contests • Which careers use math • IIT Applied Math page for undergraduates

3. Why consider graduate school in mathematics? • To make research a part of your career • To teach mathematics at the collegiate (or advanced high school) level • Research-focused universities also value teaching • Mostly teaching positions with some research • Teaching positions at 4-year colleges, junior colleges, etc. • To obtain advanced training for government or industry job

4. How to prepare (I) • Your enemies: • Unlimited texting plans • Guitar Hero • 3-,4-,5-day weekends • Insufficient sleep • Email/news/facebook/etc.

5. How to prepare (I) • Your friends: • Motivation -- a sense of purpose • A good work ethic • Planning ahead • Participating in the add-ons (research, contests, seminars, events) • Always seeking growth and improvement

6. How to prepare (II) • Coursework matters! Work hard and get good grades. • Find a group of peers and go through the process together • Prepare for the general GRE, Mathematics Subject Test GRE (and TOEFL for some) • REUs, contests, summer & semester programs, internships, conferences • Read A LOT about graduate programs.

7. Things to know about grad school • Mike McCourt, IIT Alumnus, NSF Fellow(Jump to Mike’s slides)

8. How to apply • Make a wish list and a safe list of schools • Plan applications and test dates months in advance • Request recs from faculty, REU advisors, etc. • Ask instructors who know first-hand about your best coursework/research • Give notice! Six weeks is great. One week makes a recommender mad. • Your recommender is busy, so help by getting all information together in one place, providing mailing labels, providing copies of your application materials, etc.

9. Follow-up for applications • Are campus visits offered? • Is your financial package clear? • Is your TA or RA assignment clear? • Are there really active faculty that you are likely to work with? • Will you be content to work hard there for several years?

10. Sample timeline for a Senior Fall 2010 • Sep 22: Take a deep breath. Don’t panic. • Oct 8: Registration deadline for 11/13 Subject GRE • Any time: General GRE (Scores within 15 days) • Nov 18: NSF Graduate Fellowship application due • Nov/Dec: Application deadlines begin • Investigate Summer 2011 programs (bridge programs, research, workshops, conferences)

11. Sample timeline for a Junior Fall 2010 • Investigate Summer `11 REUs, math semesters, internships Ongoing • Check ResearchWeb (e.g.) for research opportunities; FWS & other stipends Spring 2011 (before in some cases) • Apply to summer or semester programs, CSL/AM summer fellowship • March 4: Registration deadline for April 9 Subject GRE (2 chances left)

12. Sample timeline for a Junior Summer 2011 • Prepare for NSF Fellowship application • Take General GRE while less busy? Fall 2011 • Last two chances for Subject GRE (many for General) • Make list of grad schools, request letters, start applying • Investigate Summer `12 programs

13. Sample timeline for a Junior Spring `12 • Finish applying to grad schools, summer programs • Campus visits Summer `12 • Bridge programs, research, workshops, conferences Fall `12 • Begin grad school.

14. Contests & Conferences • Oct 30: VA Tech Regional Math Contest • Dec 4: Putnam Exam • Jan 6-9: AMS Joint Meetings, New Orleans • Jan 28-30: Nebraska Conference for Women in Mathematics • Feb 10-14: MCM/ICM Modeling contest • April 7-9: ISMAA (Naperville)Problem-solving contest, best paper

15. Grad school algorithm Step 1. Check if degree completed. Step 2. If YES, skip to Step 5. Step 3. Work harder. Step 4. Go to Step 1. Step 5. Open champagne.

16. Once you are in grad school • Work hard! That’s what you’re there for. Every year you’re in graduate school is a year with a low salary. • Prioritize your efforts. Research, teaching, or professional skills? • Try not to take on unrelated jobs. • Find mentors and peers to learn from and work with. • Continually ask yourself if you are making progress toward your desired career. • Go to conferences and meet people in your field – you’ll be asking them for a job one day!

17. Q&A

18. Things To Know About Grad School (Mike McCourt) Written by: Aaron Sorkin Directed by: Spike Lee

19. Uniqueness • Every grad school experience is different • Classes, environment, advisors, expectations, funding • Make sure you understand what is expected of you • Find a school that you are comfortable working at, because you will do a lot of work

20. Funding • Teaching Assistant • Technical Work • Research Assistant • Outside Funding

21. Fellowships • Must be a US citizen • NSF GRFP • 3 years, $30000 per year, no strings attached • More fellowships available now than ever • DOE CSGF • 4 years, $32400 per year, computer/travel support • Opportunities to work at National Labs

22. Applying for Fellowships • Remember the “Big Picture” • Tie your experiences to your future goals • Why are your abilities/goals relevant to the fellowship? • Explain how you have progressed thus far in your education. • Use that to indicate how you will continue to progress. Concrete expectations help.

23. Intellectual Merit • Choice of Institution • GRE Scores • Strength of Academic Record • Previous Research Experience • References

24. Broader Impacts • How do you see the big picture? • Can you communicate your research to a wide audience? • How will society benefit from your work? • Will your work affect underrepresented minorities? • Have your previous experiences had a broader impact?