So you want to go to Graduate School…

1. So you want to go to Graduate School… Dr. Dara J. Norman

2. Outline • Choosing Schools • Applying* • After Acceptance • Other: Outside Funding • Concluding comments *Comments are mainly for applying to US institutions. For applying out of the US, some astronomers at CTIO/Gemini can give suggestions.

3. Choosing Schools is it? is/was there? is the scope of research done there? do current students think? is the funding situation? • Where • Who • What • What • What • Astronomy versus Physics and Astronomy • Departments: Small versus Big • Human Resources - Astronomers you know may be able to make suggestions. • National Rankings

4. General Grad School Information Sites • List of Astronomy and AstroPhysics Graduate Programs • www.gradschools.com/programs/astronomy_astrophysics.html • www.gradschoolshopper.com/ • American Astronomical Society • www.aas.org • NRC Graduate School Ranking System • www.phds.org/rankings/ • US News Rankings for 2001 • www.usnews.com/usnews/rankguide/rghome.htm

5. Applying • Internet Instructions • Detail Devils • Empieza Early

6. Applying • Many websites are very good! • Check early before deadlines! • Check both Department and Grad School pages • See checklists • Watch deadlines • Check where to send things • Numbers of copies

7. General Requirements • Applications to the Department • Applications to the Grad School • Fees • Official Transcripts • GRE scores – General and Physics • Statements of Goals and Achievements • Recommendation Letters (who?) • Other Stuff

8. Recommendations • Ask writers who know (and like) you. • Give Them: • PLENTY OF NOTICE. • any & all forms that they will need. • Be sure you have signed required forms. • stamped and addressed envelopes (if letters not submitted via email). • a copy (draft or outline) of your statement. • a reminder a week before the deadline. Make it as easy as possible for them to write a good letter for you!

9. General Requirements • Applications to the Department • Applications to the Grad School • Fees • Official Transcripts • GRE scores – General and Physics • Statements of Goals and Achievements • Recommendation Letters (who?) • Other Stuff (lists of publications,extra rec letters, lists of astronomy/physics related activities, etc)

10. Additional foreign Student requirements • Check the International Students webpage for information on: • Visas • TOEFL exam • Additional fees for things like translations of documents

11. After Acceptance • Ask (lots of) questions • Visit , Visit, VISIT!! • Talk to (several) current grad students • Oh, And Visit.

12. Some Good Questions • Are students treated like colleagues by faculty? • What is the quality of teaching for grad classes? • What are requirements/qualifiers like? • What is the teaching load? (required?) • How are funding sources? • How easy to work with professors you want? • What is the state of the facilities? (telescopes, computers, offices, tape drives, etc.) • How is student access to facilities?

13. More Good Questions • Is the pay really enough to live on? • Is it possible to take classes outside the dept? • Are there sources of advisors outside the dept & how easy is it to work with them (realistically)?

14. Other: Outside Funding • Grad fellowships & dissertation fellowships • Small money fellowships • Secrets of the Graduate School • Internships

15. Funding Sources • NSF • NASA • NRC • Professional Groups • Ex. AAS, AAUW • Private Organizations • Ex. Hertz foundation , Smithsonian See for example: www.fis.ncsu.edu/grad_fellows/ www.cs.yale.edu/homes/tap/fellowships.html www.aas.org

16. Are you sure you want to go to graduate school? X • Time • Money • Prestige Working in the field first may be one good way to be sure.

17. Lists of Jobs • AAS job register – www.aas.org • Physics and astronomy magazines • Professors and other advisors

18. Now get out there and write some applications!