Graduate Study Information Session
Christina Murray
Exploring Graduate Schools
What should I do and when?
• Freshman/Sophomores – Talk with your undergraduate advisor
• What are my career goals? Is a graduate degree necessary?
• Is the Co-Terminal program right for me?
– Talk with your professors and TAs • Which schools have the expertise you’re seeking?
• What is the graduate school experience like?
– Research school offerings • Faculty and research
• Financial aid
Exploring Graduate Schools
What should I do and when?
• Juniors – Research school offerings and requirements
– Study for and take required entrance exam(s)
– Gain research experience and/or tutoring experience
– Visit schools of interest
– Research external funding
Exploring Graduate Schools
What should I do and when?
• Seniors – DEADLINES, DEADLINES, DEADLINES – Obtain letters of recommendation (also PPI)
– Write and re-write your Statement/Essay – make it succinct!
– Retake entrance exams, if necessary
– Complete the application and send in all required credentials
– Apply for external funding
Typical Components of a Graduate Application
• Application
• Application fee
• Statement of Background and Goals
• Resume
• Letter(s) of Recommendation
• Official Transcript(s)
• Test scores – GRE/GMAT/MCAT/LSAT
– TOEFL/IELTS – international students
– Personal Potential Index (PPI) – 5 evaluators
• Portfolio, Research publications, etc.
Sample PPI
Sample PPI
Making Your Application Competitive
• Demonstrating a clear link between your background and goals and the interests of the program you are applying to
• Undergraduate research experience /publications – Research assistantship potential
• Tutoring experience – Teaching assistantship potential
• Strong credentials – Recommendations
– Test scores and PPI
– Grade point average
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Rensselaer-Specific Opportunities
Rensselaer Co-terminal Program
• The Co-terminal program is a program for RPI undergraduates to complete their Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees within 10 semesters.
• Master’s degree does not have to be in the same field of study as the Bachelor’s degree.
• Eligible undergraduate financial aid extends up to 10 semesters for Co-Terminal students. Consult the Financial Aid Office to determine your eligibility.
Co-Terminal Requirements
• Accelerated admissions process – refer to handout, not an online application.
• Completion of 90 credits (including AP credits, transfer credits, and courses in progress) of course work toward the undergraduate degree. (101 credits for B.Arch students)
• Reasonable expectation Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees can be completed in 10 semesters.
• Co-terminal applications should be submitted before the end of applicant’s junior year.
• An approved Plan of Study and CAPP Report must accompany this application.
• Check for additional department requirements.
Leveraging the Co-Terminal
• MBA and MS – New Product Development Specialist, International Business Specialist (ISP), MIS Manager, Consultant, Financial Manager, Operations Manager, Marketing/Brand Manager, Human Resources Manager, Entrepreneur.
• MS Financial Engineering & Risk Analysis – Investment Banker, Quantitative Risk Analyst, Financial Controller, Private Equity Analyst, Financial Analyst, Leveraged Finance Portfolio Manager.
• MS Tech Commercialization and Entrepreneurship – Tech Transfer Specialist, Entrepreneur, Venture Capitalist, Consultant, R&D Department Manager.
About ISP
Benefits for recent college grads:
• Differentiation in job market
• International experience
• Increased earning potential
• Advanced degree
Skills developed: • Working in interdisciplinary teams
• Communicating effectively
• Coping with adversity
• Problem solving
Program details:
• M.S. Management, MBA, M.S. Systems Engineering and Technology Management
• Live and study in Rome and Shanghai during the 10-week summer semester abroad
• Meet and be taught by world leaders in industry
• Visit major multinational corporations
• Become part of a project team, gaining first-hand understanding of global business and advanced technology
Financial Aid
• Internal to the university – Fellowships
– Assistantships
• Teaching assistantship (TA)
• Research assistantship (RA)
• External to the university – Prestigious Competitions
• GEM
• Fulbright
• Rhodes Scholarships
• National Defense Sciences & Engineering Fellowships
• Jacob K. Javits Fellowship Program, U.S. Department of Education
• Ford Foundation Diversity Fellowships
• National Science Foundation
• American Indian Graduate Center
• National Physical Science Consortium (NPSC)
Rensselaer External
Award Winners
NSF Graduate Research
Fellowship
Heather: BS – PhD, Mathematics, 2010 Award
Recipient
Research Area: Radar - Experimental Data
Leadership Roles:
• Symphony orchestra
• RPI’s Women’s Mentoring Program
• Volunteer for RPI’s open house & accepted students days
• Intern at Sensors Directorate of the Air Force Research Laboratory
(AFRL)
• Intern at MIT-Lincoln Laboratory in Group 34- Intelligence, Test, and
Evaluation, and Group 36- Ballistic Missile Defense Systems
Integration
Other External Awards
• Department of Defense SMART Scholarship
• NDSEG Fellowship (National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate)
• NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates
• GEM MS Fellowship
• FREEDM Summer Research Experience for Undergrads
• DOE Office of Science Graduate Fellow
Housing
Resources
• Graduate Admissions
– [email protected] or 276-6216
• Office of Graduate Education
– Heather Carbary, External Graduate Funding
– Dennis Gornic, City Station Housing Applications
• Financial Aid
– Academy Hall, [email protected] or 276-6813
Thank you