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Peters - Getting What You Came For [3bcac7a3]

Tags: books, grad school

See also: grad school fellowships

Book about the relative value of grad school, and how to pick an advisor, how to fund a masters, etc

1. Is it worth it?

  • ~50% of doctoral students drop out

  • More likely to graduate if you are:

    • married
    • on schedule
    • in the sciences
    • financially secure
    • clarity of purpose
    • good relationship with advisor

2. Phd Protege Effect

  • Reputation tied to the Phd advisor
  • Always try to have a tenured professor

3. Finding a phd advisor:

  • Putting together a short list

    • Add names of researchers whose work you admired
    • Read through the catalogue collection
    • Use the library to research topics

  • Build a relationship with potential advisors

    • Take classes
    • Help with research
    • Pursue independent study
    • Attend conferences
    • Visit prospective universities
    • Write letters
    • Solicit introductions

  • Interviewing Professors and their Grad Students

4. Choosing a School for Secondary Aspects

  • Prestige of the department

    • High competition for jobs creates cascade effects on prestigious institutions
  • Placement success
  • Emotional Quality
  • Logistical Resources
  • Teaching Requirements
  • Financial Support
  • Extra-years support
  • Language Requirements
  • Social climate

5. Admissions comittee

  • Different priorities for different fields
  • Apply to schools where advisors have been identified
  • Apply early

6. Letters of Rec

  • Ideal letter speaks specifically about strengths and describes enthusatically what sets you above the pack
  • Ask if professors are comfortable about calling or writing the person at the program you're applying to
  • Organize a stack of all the schools you're applying to

7. Financial Aid

  • Fellowships confer prestige

    • No strings on fellowships

8. Master's Degrees

  • Attempt to publish one paper