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Physics Grad School 101

Physics Grad School 101. MIT. Secrets Revealed. Name, email. Talk a little about yourself. You might consider a graduate program in physics if…. You enjoy doing research You enjoy teaching You want to be a professor You want a research job in industry or a national lab

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Physics Grad School 101

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  1. Physics Grad School 101 MIT Secrets Revealed

  2. Name, email Talk a little about yourself.

  3. You might consider a graduate program in physics if… • You enjoy doing research • You enjoy teaching • You want to be a professor • You want a research job in industry or a national lab • You want to learn more physics • You don’t mind being poor for 5+ years • You want to be a specialist in your field

  4. As a Grad Student you might… • Spend a year or two taking classes and passing qualifying exams while doing part time research. • Spend the rest of your years on full time reseach. • Most PhDs take 5 or 6 years to complete, but the time varies.

  5. PhD programs won't put you further into debt.. • Funding is usually available that will cover tuition and a living stipend. • Teaching Assistants • Research Assistants • Fellowships (NSF, Ford Foundation Fellowships for minorities, Hertz, or fellowships from specific schools)‏

  6. What can you do with a PhD in physics? • Academia – Professorships and research scientists at universities • Government Labs – Fundamental research • Industry – R & D, engineering • Finance -- Goldman Sachs • Consulting – McKinsey, BCG, Booz Allen Hamilton

  7. Slides about your research

  8. Slides about your research

  9. Choose Your Schools Wisely • Number -- 4-8 should include safety schools and ambitious schools • Quality of departments – your field and overall • Specific faculty interests – you should have more than one faculty member you could work for • Geographic location -- Where do you want to live for 6 years? • Application Deadlines – MIT’s is Jan. 1, 2008. Harvard is Dec. 15th, 2007 Explore online and Network: • gradschoolshopper.com (run by AIP)‏ • School websites. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with faculty or students.

  10. Applications (as seen from the eyes of MIT admissions) GRE scores Transcript Letters of Recommendation Statement of Purpose MIT deadline is Jan. 1, 2008!

  11. Physics GREs Very poor measuring device! • However, it is the first thing people will see! • Register for the GRE (General & Physics) sufficiently early • Physics GRE in October & November: later date may be too late for some deadlines • General GRE (computer-based) has rolling administration • Give plenty of prep time for Physics • seek out study groups or review sessions for practice • Look for patterns in sample questions (e.g. positronium)!

  12. Recommendations • Very important! • Ask for recommendations EARLY • And be organized: give each referee a folder containing forms, pre-addressed envelopes, & a to-do list • Use people who know you. Better than big names! • One extra letter of rec is OK • They should back up your personal statement.

  13. DON’T Lie or exaggerate State things about yourself without examples ‏ Be arrogant or egotistical Discuss unrelated topics Talk about weaknesses Use “I have wanted to study physics since…” The Personal Statement This is your opportunity to convince a reader that you are the dedicated to research and physics (even if you are not!). • DO • Reflect your research experience, motivations, and preferences. Be specific! • Be confident: this is an advertisement! • Introduce relevant material that makes you stand out (not necessarily physics, but transferable)‏ • Discuss realistic research expectations (even if you don’t know what you want to do)

  14. Once you get in, how do you decide? • Visiting weekend • Talk to both professors and students (and postdocs if you might work with them)‏ • Realize that they’re being way nice to you & calibrate • Consider the campus & surroundings (you have to live there 5+ years)‏ • Get contacts for further questions • Get a “feel” for how people interact in the department: is it collegial? Antagonistic?

  15. Ask about (in no particular order)‏ • Housing • Health care • Transportation • Athletic facilities • Student life • Departmental resources • Qualifying exams • Course requirements • Your special needs (family, childcare, spouse/partner support, disabilities, etc.)‏

  16. You will be in graduate school for about 6 years. It is important to choose a school and environment that fit your entire life, not just your professional life! Moral:

  17. Research (just a small sampling)‏ Physics @ MIT Atomic, Molecular and Optical Astrophysics Particle Physics Harvard Condensed Matter Applied Physics Biophysics String Theory Don’t be fooled by the apparent divisions; collaboration is all around. Especially with the new, shiny, futuristic….

  18. Green Center for Physics Central location, Student lounges, Wong room for women in physics Artwork, sunlight, and much much more!

  19. Life @ MIT MIT Facilities: • On-Campus Housing (family housing as well)‏ • Gyms • All dorms • Stata and Z Center have pools as well • Extended Health Care Coverage and Medical Facilities • Extensive Library System • Transportation: Shuttles, Saferide • Free Stuff • Symphony Tickets • Museum Admissions • Food!

  20. Z center

  21. Life@MIT • Graduate Student Council • Orientation Events • Graduate Gala • Parties • Advocacy, Politics on a greater scale • Clubs • Basically anything you can think of… • Dormitories • Dance parties, socials, free food

  22. Boston: Everything that’s good about a city without all the stuff that’s bad about LA • Tons of restaurants, bars, clubs, sporting events, cultural events and, err…libraries. • Buses, T (subsidized pass), shuttles • Zipcar • MANY other universities nearby • Plenty of places to go nearby (beaches, skiing)‏

  23. Life in the Physics Department • Physics Graduate Student Council • Cookie Socials: Mingle! • First-Year Lunches: Professors give talks • Lunch Talks: Students give talks • Holiday parties, brewery tours • Advocacy, negotiation, a unified voice • Free Food: A Grad Student’s Best Friend • Women in Physics • Physics Intramural Sports • PhysREFS: Trained Mediators and Advocates

  24. Women in Physics Supported financially and ideologically by the department. http://web.mit.edu/physics/wphys Mentoring program with undergrads. Travel Support Biweekly dinners Taxis home Retreats Hosting speakers Respected voice in department! Every female application is read at least twice!

  25. Retreats Margaret Wong Room Child Support Social Activities

  26. MIT Physics Culture • Grad School is not just a place for intense work • Many life-lasting relationships are also formed here over many a delicious beer and/or coffee • More laid back then people generally expect MIT to be

  27. We’d Like to Think We’re More

  28. Than

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