“WHY GRADUATE SCHOOL?”

1. “WHY GRADUATE SCHOOL?” “Turning Today’s Technical Talent Into Tomorrow’s Technology Leaders” Sponsored in part by The National Consortium for Graduate Degrees for Minorities in Science and Engineering, Inc. Dr. Sandra Cruz-Pol Associate Professor ECE UPRM

2. FAQs BY STUDENTS • Why Should I Go to Graduate School? • How Can I Pay for Graduate School? • How Do I Apply for Graduate School? • How Do I Apply for a GEM Fellowship? • Where Can I Go to Graduate School? • Tips for Getting Fellowships? • How ToSucceedIn Grad School?

3. “WHY SHOULD I GO TO GRADUATE SCHOOL?” “Turning Today’s Technical Talent Into Tomorrow’s Technology Leaders” The National Consortium for Graduate Degrees for Minorities in Science and Engineering, Inc.

4. WE NEED YOU! Source: NACME Research Letter, Vol. 6, Number 1, May 1996

5. BENEFITS • Increased compensation • Higher starting salary • Greater ability to earn independently • Enhanced career flexibility • Competitive advantage • Greater choice of work • Greater mobility • Fortified self-confidence • Demonstrated ability to perform rigorous tasks

6. IDENTIFIES YOU AS A LEADER • A seat at the table. • Solutions to some of the nation’s most pressing problems lie in science and engineering: • Healthcare (AIDS, Cancer, Alzheimer's) • Environment • Transportation • Communication • Civil Infrastructure

7. WHO BELIEVES IN GRADUATE EDUCATION? Over 50 GEM employers, including: 3M Agilent Technologies AMD BP Amoco Compaq Corning, Inc. Daimler Chrysler Dow Chemical DuPont Eastman Kodak Co. ETS Exxon Mobil Ford Motor Co. General Motors GlaxoSmithKline Hewlett Packard Intel Lexmark Int’l Lucent Merck Microsoft Motorola NASA QUALCOMM Raytheon Sandia Nat’l Lab Siemens Timken Texas Instruments

8. “HOW CAN I PAY FOR GRADUATE SCHOOL?” “Turning Today’s Technical Talent Into Tomorrow’s Technology Leaders” The National Consortium for Graduate Degrees for Minorities in Science and Engineering, Inc.

9. GEM DELIVERS! • Portable Fellowships to 88 Universities • M.S. Engineering Fellowship Program • Minimum $10,000 stipend over 3 semesters/4 quarters • Full tuition and fees at GEM Member University • Ph.D. Engineering Fellowship Program • Minimum $14,000 academic year stipend for 5 years • Full tuition and fees at GEM Member University • Ph.D. Science Fellowship Program • Minimum $14,000 academic year stipend for 5 years • Full tuition and fees at GEM Member University • Summer Internships at 51 Company Members

10. OTHER FORMS OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT • Research Assistantships (RA) and Teaching Assistantships (TA) • A form of financial aid where the graduate student is paid for work which is often related to the student’s studies or area of specialization. An RA pays a student to assist a professor on a research project; a TA pays a student to teach sections or classes of undergraduate courses, or to help grade papers or examinations.

11. RESOURCES FOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION • GEM’s Web site - http://www.gemfellowship.org • The Financial Aid Web site- http://www.finaid.org/ • The Graduate Office at your University • The Graduate Office at Universities of interest to you • The department you plan to pursue your degree in • McNair Scholars waives application fees. Go to http://www.ed.gov.offices/OPE/HEP/trio/mcnair • Project 1000 waives up to seven application fees E-mail: project1000@asu.edu Go to http://mati.eas.asu.edu:8421/p1000

12. “HOW DO I APPLY FOR GRADUATE SCHOOL?” “Turning Today’s Technical Talent Into Tomorrow’s Technology Leaders” The National Consortium for Graduate Degrees for Minorities in Science and Engineering, Inc.

13. The Graduate Admissions Process • Graduate School Application: • Complete application forms and questionnaires at University and Department levels as required. • Submit transcripts, letters of reference, and statement of purpose. • Apply for admission at member universities before January 1st for additional funding opportunities. • Take Graduate Record Exam (GRE). • Submit ALL documents at once.

14. The Graduate Admissions Process (continued) • Supporting documents: • Ask for STRONG letters of recommendation from faculty. • Allow sufficient time for letters to be written (2-3 weeks). • Have faculty review statement of purpose before submittal.

15. The Graduate Admissions Process (continued) • Graduate Record Exam (GRE): • Two parts: General and discipline exams; • October 2002 new exam guidelines include a writing section. Go to http://www.gre.org • Computer based exams offered continuously; • Resources include search services, on-line practice exams, and on campus workshops/seminars; • Submit GRE scores with admission packet; • Review Peterson’s Guide for scores (previous class) submitted at various universities; and • Submitting GRE scores is required for funding opportunities at some universities.

16. “HOW DO I APPLY FOR A GEM FELLOWSHIP?” “Turning Today’s Technical Talent Into Tomorrow’s Technology Leaders” The National Consortium for Graduate Degrees for Minorities in Science and Engineering, Inc.

17. GEM FELLOWSHIP PROCESS • First year students should begin exploring options now. • Participate in undergraduate research experiences. • Gain internship and/or co-op experiences in industry and/or government laboratories. • Juniors may apply. • Begin to target specific graduate programs at member universities. Go to web site for list of members. • University alumni/ae are encouraged to apply. • Apply on line at www.gemfellowship.org by December 1stdeadline.

18. GEM FELLOWSHIP PROCESS(continued) • Eligibility requirements: • Minimum 2.8 GPA for MS Engineering Fellowship; • Minimum 3.0 GPA for Ph.D. Engineering and Science Fellowships; • Submit two (one from faculty) letters of recommendation; • Detailed resume; • Include statement of purpose; • Undergraduate and graduate transcripts; • Be member of underrepresented majority group (African American, Latino/a, Puerto Rican, Mexican, and American Indian); and • Be a US Citizen.

19. GEM FELLOWSHIP PROCESS(continued) • Internship Expectations: • Internships begin summer before Fall enrollment at member university except Juniors; • Juniors complete three internships with employer. • M.S. Engineering Fellows are expected to complete two internships with employer sponsor; • Ph.D. Engineering and Ph.D. Science Fellows are expected to intern at least once with employer; • All interns are evaluated as potential full-time employees; and • Employers pay internship salary and travel.

20. 2001 vs. 2002 APPLICANTS

21. 2001 vs. 2002 SELECTIONS

22. 2002 M.S. ENGINEERING APPLICANTS AND SELECTS • Applicant Profile: • 308 (71%) African Americans • 112 (26%) Latinos/a • 12 ( 3%) American Indians • 200 (46%) Female • 363 (84%) >3.0 GPA • 190 (44%) >3.3 GPA • Select Profile: • 80 (73%) African Americans • 27 (24%) Latinos/a • 3 ( 3%) American Indians • 44 (40%) Female • 99 (90%) >3.0 GPA • 74 (67%) >3.3 GPA • 52 (47%) >3.5 GPA

23. 2002 Ph.D. ENGINEERING APPLICANTS AND SELECTS • Applicant Profile: • 64 (68%) African Americans • 27 (29%) Latinos/a • 3 ( 3%) American Indians • 40 (43%) Female • 39 (41%) >3.5 GPA • 22 (23%) >3.7 GPA • Select Profile: • 16 (61%) African Americans • 8 (31%) Latinos/a • 2 ( 8%) American Indians • 13 (50%) Female • 13 (50%) >3.5 GPA • 8 (31%) >3.7 GPA

24. 2002 Ph.D. SCIENCE APPLICANTS AND SELECTS • Applicant Profile: • 56 (63%) African Americans • 31 (35%) Latinos/a • 2 ( 2%) American Indians • 60 (67%) Female • 41 (46%) >3.5 GPA • 19 (21%) >3.7 GPA • Select Profile: • 5 (50%) African Americans • 4 (40%) Latinos/a • 1 (10%) American Indian • 5 (50%) Female • 7 (70%) >3.5 GPA • 2 (20%) >3.7 GPA

25. NETWORK University Reps Company Reps network NETWORK Faculty GEM Staff Alumni/ae

26. TIME LINE TO APPLY • September 1 – APPLY ON LINE. • Remember to apply to graduate programs at various member universities and take GRE; and • Indicate up to four employers of choice on GEM application. • December 1 - Submit GEM Application and Graduate School Application. • Selection Committee will match your employer preferences with internship opportunities available. • February 1 - Announcement of GEM Fellows.

27. TIME LINE TO APPLY (continued) • March - GEM Acceptance Forms Due. • May- Forward Transcript & School Selection to the GEM Office. • May/June - Internship Begins. • August/September - Fall Semester Begins; Meet GEM Representative on Campus.

28. “WHERE CAN I GO TO GRADUATE SCHOOL?” “Turning Today’s Technical Talent Into Tomorrow’s Technology Leaders” The National Consortium for Graduate Degrees for Minorities in Science and Engineering, Inc.

29. Start Your Search Here! Over 80 GEM universities, including: MIT Cornell ColumbiaGeorgia TechU of IllinoisJohns HopkinsU of MichiganNorthwestern Penn StatePrincetonPurdue Yale U of Puerto Rico U of Arizona UC Berkeley UC Davis UC Irvine UCLA UC San Diego Drexel Stanford Texas A&M Rice U of New Mexico U of Notre Dame

30. How to Research a Graduate Program • Research university libraries • Peterson’s Guide • Chronicle of Higher Education • Directory of Graduate Programs • Request information be mailed to you from the department • Visit schools you are interested in • Surf the Web

31. How to Research a Graduate Program (continued) • Gradschoolshopper.com • Your guide to graduate programs in physics and related fields; go to gradschoolshopper.com, enter search parameters (i.e. geographic or academic preferences), and receive pages meeting these criteria. • Gradschools.com • Worldwide web site dedicated to post-baccalaureate educational programs; tens of thousands of programs listed, continually updated; go to gradschools.com, enter search parameters (i.e. geographic or academic preferences), and receive pages meeting these criteria. • Student prospector.com - draws prospective students from the gradschools.com web site and offers them a place to create & store a academic profile; recruiters subscribe to this service for a fee.

32. Identifying a Graduate Program • Are Faculty members conducting research in your area of interest? Ask about faculty to other students. • What is the educational infrastructure (labs, library, computers, etc.)? • Does the curriculum support your interests? • What are the degree requirements? • What is the average time to degree completion? • Is financial support available? • What will be your work/study environment? • Are the social outlets adequate?

33. “TIPS FOR GETTING FELLOWSHIPS?” “Turning Today’s Technical Talent Into Tomorrow’s Technology Leaders” The National Consortium for Graduate Degrees for Minorities in Science and Engineering, Inc.

34. Tips for Getting Fellowships! • Start Early • Application deadlines range from early November to early February. • Research your options • To find a program or a fellowship that matches your interests and goals, plan on doing some serious research. The money won’t necessarily come to you – you have to go to it (or at least tell them how to find you...). • Pay attention to the restrictions • Some programs put a limit on the number of credit hours you can have finished before application.

35. More Tips! • Follow directions • Although this may seem obvious, follow the directions in the application packet to the letter. • The Name Thing... • When applying for fellowships, you should be consistent in how you report your name. The name on your SS card, your graduate school admissions application, and your fellowship application should be identical. • Supporting documents matter • Letters of Reference and Statements of Purpose can make a difference in the selection process. • Keep trying • If you don't get an award one year, apply again next year.

36. “HOW TO SUCCEED IN GRAD SCHOOL?” “Turning Today’s Technical Talent Into Tomorrow’s Technology Leaders” The National Consortium for Graduate Degrees for Minorities in Science and Engineering, Inc.

37. Graduate School • It’s unlike anything else; unstructured. • Is not for everyone. • Independent work • Lots of reading • Commitment; (not finding a job is not a reason to go to grad school)

38. Goal and Objective • Your goal is to graduate • Need unique (interesting) thesis topic • To graduate, • Be a good researcher; • (READ, READ, READ!)7 , understand. • Organized: keep journal, file of papers • Stay motivated • Show initiative in research ideas

39. Today’s Situation in Grad School • In Engineering Schools Hispanic graduates comprise less than 10% of the students! • So you may find (Most people don’t find this) • Discrimination • Harassment • Isolation • Lack of support • Yes, you’ll be different, so? • Con: Have to work twice as good • Pro: Your face will be easy to remember

40. Choosing the Right Advisor * • Advisor is the most important person for your MS or PhD! • Area of research, fame, good school? • Interview advisor, • ask about average time to graduate, your special circumstances like family. • Talk to his/her current grad students • Ask about failure rate, relations, support • You should get along and trust advisor.

41. Discrimination: …Breaking the stereotypes • Both races are sometimes in fault. • Create awareness, in a polite way (jokes?) • Don’t leave the Discrimination RadarON • Mingle; football, golf , parties … • Appearances ARE important • dress up appropriately for work and research

42. Modus Operandi + Intelligence = Ph.D. • People skills • Networking is important • Network with supporting societies • (e.g. SHPE, MEP) • Get to work, • be disciplined , make a schedule • Set time for recreation too!

43. Family Priorities; for couples studying together • Make sure spouse understands children are responsibility of both, that your work should also be a priority for him. • Two cases to avoid: • Non-cooperative husband • “Self-slaved” wife (yes, it happens)

44. Grad school • Don’t give up! • At some point everybody thinks that “they’re not going to make it.” Keep the faith! • In addition try to (specially in PhD), • Write journal papers • Attend conferences

45. Thesis • Start with the thesis proposal • This is required in many programs • Some also require candidacy and oral tests. • Write a chapter at a time. • Writing journal or conference papers helps for thesis. • Significant content is important. • Good writing style is very important.

46. Key factors for success Success of underrepresented students in graduate school? • Know how to “play the game” -Attitude • integrate • married status helps • do a great job • be professional

47. Elements to speed transition What are the key elements that enhance their transition from graduate school into academia and/or industry ? • Find mentor and role model • Integrate to group • Focus

48. Summary • Choose the Right Advisor. • Keep a positive attitude. Make friends • (these will be your future collaborators) • Be strong and don’t let others bring you down with discrimination comments, etc. • Work together with spouse to set goal straight. • Be a leader, take initiative to do good research • Reada lot of papers (ask your advisor) • Organize, work efficiently • Set time to relief stress with entertainment • Don’t give up.

49. www.gemfellowship.org ece.uprm.edu/~pol >>>>>StudentResources Hispanic Caucus web page Visit