Peters - Getting What You Came For
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
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
Phd Protege Effect
- Reputation tied to the Phd advisor
- Always try to have a tenured professor
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
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
Admissions comittee
- Different priorities for different fields
- Apply to schools where advisors have been identified
- Apply early
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
Financial Aid
- Fellowships confer prestige
- No strings on fellowships
Master’s Degrees
- Attempt to publish one paper