Grad School 101*Grad School 101*Not completely cogged from the internet. The title is, Not completely cogged from the internet. The title is,

however, pretty non-original.however, pretty non-original.

*For Aerospace Students

What you need – Min What you need – Min RequirementsRequirements

1.1. 3 Strong Recos3 Strong Recos2.2. Strong Statement of PurposeStrong Statement of Purpose3.3. GRE – 1350+/TOEFL - 105+GRE – 1350+/TOEFL - 105+4.4. Explore as many fields as possible, but Explore as many fields as possible, but

excel in most of themexcel in most of them5.5. Decent CPI (> 8 would be nice, > 9 is Decent CPI (> 8 would be nice, > 9 is

enough to get you top apps if you have enough to get you top apps if you have the other 3)the other 3)

6.6. Should do research projects in IITB, other Should do research projects in IITB, other IITs, IISc, TIFR etc. under well known IITs, IISc, TIFR etc. under well known professors, who have international professors, who have international publicationspublications

TimelineTimeline First YearFirst Year

– Concentrate on courseworkConcentrate on coursework– Think about your career goals, and whether you want to go to graduate schoolThink about your career goals, and whether you want to go to graduate school

Sophie YearSophie Year– Take up a seminar/project in the department/ outside your department, probably in the field you Take up a seminar/project in the department/ outside your department, probably in the field you

have maximum interest have maximum interest – UROP – take advice of seniors on the topics offered/ go to a professor and present you idea if you UROP – take advice of seniors on the topics offered/ go to a professor and present you idea if you

have anyhave any– Internship either locally at IIT or abroad Internship either locally at IIT or abroad – Good time to get one reco secured, “maybe” even a publication!Good time to get one reco secured, “maybe” even a publication!– Start preparations for GRE/TOEFLStart preparations for GRE/TOEFL

Third YearThird Year– Time to make decisions – Switch your field, work in a different area which you find interesting, Time to make decisions – Switch your field, work in a different area which you find interesting,

Decide upon the electives in and outside your departmentDecide upon the electives in and outside your department– GRE / TOEFLGRE / TOEFL– Internship / Seminar / BTP – Time to secure two STRONG recosInternship / Seminar / BTP – Time to secure two STRONG recos

Summer 2Summer 2ndnd year, 3 year, 3rdrd year year– Look for universities you would like to apply to, research about the professors you would want to Look for universities you would like to apply to, research about the professors you would want to

work with based on your interestwork with based on your interest– Do some good research projects, focus only on learning and assimilating conceptsDo some good research projects, focus only on learning and assimilating concepts– Write your SOP, make CV, your personal webpage with your project reports etc.Write your SOP, make CV, your personal webpage with your project reports etc.

Fourth YearFourth Year– Work on BTP, prepare apping materials, look for university requirements (subject GRE etc)Work on BTP, prepare apping materials, look for university requirements (subject GRE etc)– Start applying, ask your professors for a “strong and positive recommendation”Start applying, ask your professors for a “strong and positive recommendation”– DO NOT SPAM PROFESSORS ABROAD for admissionsDO NOT SPAM PROFESSORS ABROAD for admissions

First Year / Second YearFirst Year / Second Year First year end: Go home! (For those who First year end: Go home! (For those who

are a bit more enthu, read up on math)are a bit more enthu, read up on math) Second year: Second year:

– Imp. Courses: Pay attention!Imp. Courses: Pay attention!– UROP: Talk to Seniors. Big commitment.UROP: Talk to Seniors. Big commitment.– Summer research project after second year Summer research project after second year

advised in or outside IITadvised in or outside IIT– Start looking at your fields of interest (Already Start looking at your fields of interest (Already

exposed to Theory, FM by end of second year)exposed to Theory, FM by end of second year)– Start preparations for GRE/TOEFL even if you Start preparations for GRE/TOEFL even if you

are unsure about apping! It helps you in CAT are unsure about apping! It helps you in CAT and other examinations!and other examinations!

– Make your personal homepageMake your personal homepage

Third YearThird Year 4 solid decisions to be taken4 solid decisions to be taken

– PT field and prof / placePT field and prof / place– Seminar field and profSeminar field and prof– BTP field and profBTP field and prof– Apping fields – can be delayed, but better Apping fields – can be delayed, but better

now.now.– Explore as many fields as possible – Theory, Explore as many fields as possible – Theory,

Simulations, Applications etc.Simulations, Applications etc.– Electives – should be chosen intelligentlyElectives – should be chosen intelligently

Kick up your CPI – last chance to improve DRKick up your CPI – last chance to improve DR Give the GRE & TOEFL (Jan/Feb optimal, ToEFL Give the GRE & TOEFL (Jan/Feb optimal, ToEFL

one month later)one month later) Improve technical writing skills and presentation Improve technical writing skills and presentation

skills, that’s the way to impress your skills, that’s the way to impress your recommenders!recommenders!

Fourth YearFourth Year Apping decisions to be taken, deadlines to be metApping decisions to be taken, deadlines to be met Work hard on BTP first stage, last chance to Work hard on BTP first stage, last chance to

impress BTP guideimpress BTP guide Give the GRE & TOEFL if not done alreadyGive the GRE & TOEFL if not done already Research about the universitiesResearch about the universities Write your SOP, CV, resume (for placement)Write your SOP, CV, resume (for placement) Update your personal homepageUpdate your personal homepage Attend company PPTs, they would help you decide Attend company PPTs, they would help you decide

whether you want to work in industry or go for a whether you want to work in industry or go for a PhD.PhD.

Fields of interestFields of interest You need upto 2 fields of interest to app – but can You need upto 2 fields of interest to app – but can

be around than 5be around than 5 Be specific why you want to do research and Be specific why you want to do research and

whats your career interests whats your career interests Common ones at IITBCommon ones at IITB

– Theoretical ControlsTheoretical Controls– AerodynamicsAerodynamics– PropulsionPropulsion– UAVs, MAVs, Flight controlsUAVs, MAVs, Flight controls– StructuresStructures– Application based controlsApplication based controls

Other fieldsOther fields– Artificial Intelligence, adaptive controlsArtificial Intelligence, adaptive controls– Rocket PropulsionRocket Propulsion– CompositesComposites

Fields of interest (contd)Fields of interest (contd) More the better, but too much is bad – BE focused More the better, but too much is bad – BE focused

and coherent (interdisciplinary if you like)and coherent (interdisciplinary if you like) One sub-dept decides to take youOne sub-dept decides to take you Two is good to diversify Two is good to diversify Ideally, the two should have some solid connections Ideally, the two should have some solid connections

that you can emphasize in your SOPthat you can emphasize in your SOP Not completely binding later on – but shouldn’t be Not completely binding later on – but shouldn’t be

completely 180 degrees apart from your SOPcompletely 180 degrees apart from your SOP Better to app in areas you have worked onBetter to app in areas you have worked on Choose 2 fields wisely asap!Choose 2 fields wisely asap!

Fields of Interest (contd.)Fields of Interest (contd.)

Controls – Prof. Sudhakar, Prof. AryaControls – Prof. Sudhakar, Prof. Arya

Reco LettersReco Letters Need 3. More the better! – Some professors have an Need 3. More the better! – Some professors have an

upper limit of recos you can ask from themupper limit of recos you can ask from them Plan early. Start looking for these in 5Plan early. Start looking for these in 5thth semester itself. semester itself. SourcesSources

– 22ndnd year internship guide (?) year internship guide (?)– 33rdrd year internship guide (s) (1-?) year internship guide (s) (1-?)– Seminar guide (Same as BTP guide ?)Seminar guide (Same as BTP guide ?)– BTP guide (1)BTP guide (1)– 33rdrd year / 2 year / 2ndnd year Winter internship guide (?) – Weak recos year Winter internship guide (?) – Weak recos– Course instructors (?) – Weak recosCourse instructors (?) – Weak recos– BTP / Seminar co-guide / examiner (?) - Weak recosBTP / Seminar co-guide / examiner (?) - Weak recos

Look for recos from researchers with enough experience Look for recos from researchers with enough experience in the field, PhDs from good US universities and in general in the field, PhDs from good US universities and in general successful (connections to univs you wish to app to is a successful (connections to univs you wish to app to is a bonus)bonus)

Should have international publications, visiting faculty Should have international publications, visiting faculty positions etc.positions etc.

Apping – What mattersApping – What matters CPI / DR CPI / DR

– Matters ENOUGH, but not as much as you may think Matters ENOUGH, but not as much as you may think – Can be substituted with good research workCan be substituted with good research work– High CPI + Decent-ish recos = a top-6 appHigh CPI + Decent-ish recos = a top-6 app

Recos Recos – Very important Very important – excellent reco from well known prof = damn good chance of a great appexcellent reco from well known prof = damn good chance of a great app

Papers / Publications Papers / Publications – A good publication can do wonders for your applicationA good publication can do wonders for your application– Good publication = good recoGood publication = good reco– Too tough for a UG, atleast in some areasToo tough for a UG, atleast in some areas

Internships Internships – Better Quality - the better are the chances you understand what you are doing and helps you in Better Quality - the better are the chances you understand what you are doing and helps you in

writing you SOPwriting you SOP– Prof with whom you work more important than the place you work inProf with whom you work more important than the place you work in– Give you an overview about how life is in academia and researchGive you an overview about how life is in academia and research

SOP SOP – Consult enough people and write in good EnglishConsult enough people and write in good English– Must be simple to read and easy to understand, small linesMust be simple to read and easy to understand, small lines– Very important, a bad sop = not clear what you want and what keeps you motivatedVery important, a bad sop = not clear what you want and what keeps you motivated

GRE / TOEFL GRE / TOEFL – Not important for good universitiesNot important for good universities– Aim to do well enough for it to not show up as a black mark on your appAim to do well enough for it to not show up as a black mark on your app– GRE 1300+ and TOEFL 100+ at leastGRE 1300+ and TOEFL 100+ at least

CVCV– Write in standard format, no bragging about projects and extra curricsWrite in standard format, no bragging about projects and extra currics

Apping – What Matters (contd.)Apping – What Matters (contd.)

Moral of the story:Moral of the story:– Univs look for research caliberUnivs look for research caliber– Stuff which proves that, for exampleStuff which proves that, for example

Good recos from researchers to that effectGood recos from researchers to that effect Good research internships and projectsGood research internships and projects Good academic backgroundGood academic background

Therefore, aim to maximize these Therefore, aim to maximize these qualifications: Take good projects, know qualifications: Take good projects, know what you are doing and what you want to what you are doing and what you want to do and impress profs!!do and impress profs!!

Apping – The processApping – The process Number of univs to app to:Number of univs to app to:

– Varies with your profileVaries with your profile– App to enough places, but not too manyApp to enough places, but not too many– Costs money (~ Rs 5000 per univ), and can cause Costs money (~ Rs 5000 per univ), and can cause

disadvantage to othersdisadvantage to others– Coordinate: Coordinate:

A person with similar profile and higher CPI would invariably be A person with similar profile and higher CPI would invariably be chosen over you, unless they are picking many peoplechosen over you, unless they are picking many people

Good univs don’t take too many juntaGood univs don’t take too many junta Try to have a different profile from others apping to the same place Try to have a different profile from others apping to the same place

(else clashes will hurt)(else clashes will hurt)– Aim high: app to a few places where you think you wont get, Aim high: app to a few places where you think you wont get,

just for funjust for fun– Keep backups: app to a few places where you are sure you will Keep backups: app to a few places where you are sure you will

getget– 10 should be an upper bound for > 8.5 CPI junta, and 5-6 10 should be an upper bound for > 8.5 CPI junta, and 5-6

should be an upper bound for > 9 CPI junta.should be an upper bound for > 9 CPI junta.

Apping – The process (contd.)Apping – The process (contd.) Choosing where to app:Choosing where to app:

– Places / groups / people that have similar research interest to Places / groups / people that have similar research interest to yoursyours

– DO NOT app to places where there is no one working on areas DO NOT app to places where there is no one working on areas that you have worked onthat you have worked on

– Customize your application to highlight the work you’ve done Customize your application to highlight the work you’ve done in the area of the group which you want to get intoin the area of the group which you want to get into

– USNews is a good rough guide on top programsUSNews is a good rough guide on top programs– Talk to your guide and google for places that match your Talk to your guide and google for places that match your

interestsinterests– Overall goodness vs. Group goodness (for eg. PhD @ UIUC vs. Overall goodness vs. Group goodness (for eg. PhD @ UIUC vs.

Phd with XXXX at UPenn) - Depends on what you are looking Phd with XXXX at UPenn) - Depends on what you are looking for for

wanting to explore (not sure) vs. fixed on areawanting to explore (not sure) vs. fixed on area brand name / industry exposure / prospects / collaboration vs. good brand name / industry exposure / prospects / collaboration vs. good

advisor / better research advisor / better research Senior Researcher (busy and gives less time) vs. young professors Senior Researcher (busy and gives less time) vs. young professors

(not busy, gives more time but less experience and impact) (not busy, gives more time but less experience and impact)

Apping – The process (contd.)Apping – The process (contd.) (More) Lessons learnt(More) Lessons learnt

– Choose BTP/Internship topics wisely. Avoid obscure/non-Choose BTP/Internship topics wisely. Avoid obscure/non-real-world topics (pick problems being worked on at the real-world topics (pick problems being worked on at the places you want to be when you graduate)places you want to be when you graduate)

– Do enough research, start short-listing universities earlyDo enough research, start short-listing universities early– Work with well known profs and show them your Work with well known profs and show them your

initiative and expertise => good recos, maybe paper, all initiative and expertise => good recos, maybe paper, all goodgood

– Work hard on acads, always helps to have something Work hard on acads, always helps to have something tangible on your apptangible on your app

– Take that extra step – attend conferences, meet people, Take that extra step – attend conferences, meet people, look for opportunities to interact with potential look for opportunities to interact with potential gradschool advisorsgradschool advisors

Apping – The myths Apping – The myths

Extra curricular matterExtra curricular matter You need a +9 cpi to get into a top-6 You need a +9 cpi to get into a top-6

placeplace I can loaf off in my fourth year and I can loaf off in my fourth year and

still expect to get a good appstill expect to get a good app One must aim to publish at all costOne must aim to publish at all cost If I choose a field now, I have to do a If I choose a field now, I have to do a

PhD in itPhD in it

To Go, or Not to GoTo Go, or Not to Go

Good Reasons to GoGood Reasons to Go– Enjoy researchEnjoy research– Want to teach at the Want to teach at the

college levelcollege level– Careers with more Careers with more

autonomyautonomy– Deep interest in and Deep interest in and

dedication to a single dedication to a single areaarea

– More challenging work More challenging work (?)(?)

Not Such Good Not Such Good ReasonsReasons– What else will I do next What else will I do next

year?year?– Make more moneyMake more money– Prestige of another Prestige of another

degreedegree– Pressure from family, Pressure from family,

friends, othersfriends, others

To Go Now, or To Go LaterTo Go Now, or To Go Later

NowNow– Your TA salary looks Your TA salary looks

big compared to big compared to actually paying tuition!actually paying tuition!

– More family More family responsibilities laterresponsibilities later

– Larger peer groupLarger peer group– Might never go laterMight never go later

LaterLater– More professional More professional

experienceexperience– Greater focusGreater focus– Financial Financial

considerationsconsiderations– Take a break from Take a break from

school to avoid school to avoid burnoutburnout

M.S. vs. Ph.D.M.S. vs. Ph.D. Different job opportunitiesDifferent job opportunities

– M.S. is primarily a professional degreeM.S. is primarily a professional degree Master’s degree is an asset / requirement for many Master’s degree is an asset / requirement for many

industry jobsindustry jobs Teaching positions at community college levelTeaching positions at community college level

– Ph.D. is a research degreePh.D. is a research degree Research and teaching positions in academiaResearch and teaching positions in academia Research positions in industry and national labsResearch positions in industry and national labs

Sometimes different programsSometimes different programs– Focus of the Ph.D. is an original thesisFocus of the Ph.D. is an original thesis– M.S. requires coursework, sometimes a M.S. requires coursework, sometimes a

Master’s thesisMaster’s thesis Financial Issues (next slide)Financial Issues (next slide)

Financial IssuesFinancial Issues

Funding?Funding?– Ph.D. students are generally supported Ph.D. students are generally supported

financiallyfinancially– M.S. students may or may not be M.S. students may or may not be

supported (varies by program)supported (varies by program) Types of FundingTypes of Funding

– Teaching AssistantshipsTeaching Assistantships– Research AssistantshipsResearch Assistantships– Fellowships (usually for Ph.D.)Fellowships (usually for Ph.D.)– Employer sponsorship (usually for M.S.)Employer sponsorship (usually for M.S.)

General AdviceGeneral Advice

Nothing is permanent!Nothing is permanent!– If you take a job, you can always go back to If you take a job, you can always go back to

schoolschool– If you decide grad school isn’t for you, you can If you decide grad school isn’t for you, you can

always get a jobalways get a job– Either way, don’t burn your bridgesEither way, don’t burn your bridges

Be flexibleBe flexible– Many people change research areasMany people change research areas– Program might take longer than you expectProgram might take longer than you expect

If unsure, you might as well apply and If unsure, you might as well apply and decide later decide later