Questions tagged [graduate-school]
On schools that award advanced academic degrees, such as masters and doctoral degrees. This tag is mainly for questions about the structure and organization of a graduate school or the fundamental experience of being a graduate student. Do not use this tag for questions about research in graduate school (use [research] instead), coursework in graduate school (use [coursework] instead), gaining admissions to graduate school (use [graduate-admissions]), etc.
2,277
questions
2
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0answers
193 views
Am I failed and being ignored? [closed]
I am currently applying for a doctoral student position (fall term 2022) in some university. The application procedure is somehow "manual". I submitted my documents to an appointed contact ...
5
votes
3answers
338 views
Is it normal for a first-year CS PhD student to learn/relearn so many computer skills?
I am a first year CS PhD student, I find myself spend 80% of my independent study time learning many computer skills rather than the contents of my research. Does it mean I am less capable than other ...
5
votes
2answers
147 views
Why do some graduate programs host open house before extending formal offers?
I applied to several PhD programs for computer science for this coming academic year. I just received a conspicuously congratulatory email from one of them with an invitation to attend a virtual open ...
2
votes
1answer
148 views
Possible options for an unhappy graduate student
I am a first year PhD student in Mathematics at a US university but I cannot adopt myself to the environment of my current program. I feel this program is not right for me. Unfortunately, I have to ...
0
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0answers
62 views
Is Spending an Extra Semester in Undergraduate Research Worth It Or Should I Just Graduate [closed]
As I detailed a bit in a question I posted a couple weeks back I am at a bit of a fork in the road. I know after I am done with my undergraduate degree, at least at some point, I would like to either ...
0
votes
1answer
114 views
Is it inappropriate to ask to work with a professor at a phd program I was rejected from?
I have opened dialogue with him before and he said he would tell the admission committee about our contact. I have not been rejected yet, but I would really like to work with him (payment does not ...
3
votes
1answer
98 views
Computer Science PhD Application Process Confusion
I am looking for PhD programs in CS in the US. I am currently a junior at a liberal arts college in the US. I have started looking at programs that I am interested in by reading some of the research ...
0
votes
2answers
164 views
What exactly constitutes as Novelty in academia? [closed]
In the world of academia what exactly counts as a novelty, when we talk about a novel idea or more specifically when we say Academic Novelty ?
I am trying to start writing on a particular topic (...
2
votes
2answers
198 views
How to handle requests to draft your own grad school recommendation letter when the application explicitly forbids this?
As discussed previously, having applicants draft their own recommendation letters (or at least provide inputs) seems to be quite a common practice.
However, I have noticed that a few (American) ...
4
votes
2answers
1k views
Applied mathematics or Computer science PhD? [closed]
I am very interested in artificial intelligence and its relation with pure mathematics topics such as differential geometry, topology, algebraic topology, analysis, probability, etc. I am finishing my ...
1
vote
0answers
125 views
What to say to admissions committee to mitigate impact of missing recommendation letters?
I have just finished applying to 8 graduate programs this Fall, all of which had deadlines on Dec. 15th (today is Dec. 23rd). It has been pretty smooth except for one thing I'm concerned about.
I ...
0
votes
0answers
36 views
When do universities in USA actually start reviewing PhD applications? [duplicate]
I have submitted Ph.D. applications to some STEM universities in the US with a deadline on 1st December. However, I have had some updates to my CV, as a paper that I had submitted to a journal has ...
2
votes
1answer
104 views
Asking referees for help over a few months: one big request or many small ones?
So I'm planning to apply for a few different graduate programs, and the various applications will take place over the span of a few months. I have two referees who I plan to ask for all of these ...
0
votes
1answer
83 views
Can I get accepted to an university after cancellation of application
I have been accepted to an US university as an
International student under some condition like submission of English proficiency test. Now, at the beginning of semester I did not have the English ...
1
vote
2answers
148 views
Is 2500 words an appropriate length for Statement of Purpose?
Usually, for Statement of Purpose (Ph.D. application), the standard length is 1000 words or 2 pages. However, the University of California, San Diego asked for a 2500 words limit. Does this mean I am ...
43
votes
10answers
9k views
My advisor wants me to quit the program. What should I do?
Today I've just been told by my advisor that she thinks it would be better for me to quit after this quarter. I asked her why and she told me she thinks I don't have what it takes to complete grad ...
1
vote
1answer
194 views
Pass/Fail on Grad Classes
This quarter, I made a series of bad decisions on what classes to take. I'm a senior, and I have taken ~10 grad math and cs courses up until now, and have gotten around a 3.9 on average in them.
This ...
4
votes
2answers
671 views
Do I need to explain the change of my application to my reference letter writer?
I'm an undergraduate student applying to graduate schools. A few weeks ago I sent my application plans to the professors who will write me the reference letter. However, recently I decided to cancel ...
3
votes
2answers
168 views
Is it OK to propose to present research in a conference as a grad student?
I am a first year grad student, studying abroad, and there is a conference in the country where I am from which I think can be a good experience (I have never presented in a serious conference) to ...
2
votes
1answer
183 views
A small part of my transcript is hard to read; can I get into trouble?
My university does not provide official transcripts in English, so I sent mine to a certified translator for translation. There is a footer on each page in Persian, and unfortunately, on one page, ...
0
votes
1answer
228 views
how should i reply to this mail from professor? [closed]
I got a positive reply from the professor, how should I reply politely?
This is the response from my professor:
"let me go through and get back to you on the article "
Currently, the ...
5
votes
2answers
202 views
How can I explain poor grades on courses taken after obtaining my undergraduate degree?
I have a 3.8 undergraduate GPA with almost entirely A's in all courses. After obtaining my undergraduate degree, I took courses for fun in various subjects at two remote graduate schools. Because I ...
1
vote
1answer
75 views
Grad school admissions with multiple colleges?
Does anyone know anything about grad school admissions with multiple undergrad institutions?
I dropped out about 5 years ago with an abysmal (~1.7 GPA) as a math major halfway through sophomore year (...
2
votes
1answer
171 views
Dealing with a Very Low Math Subject GRE Score
I am a senior studying math at a private research university. It isn't an Ivy League school by any means, but it is a good school with, as far as I have experienced, a good undergraduate mathematics ...
0
votes
0answers
79 views
Is there any role of Assignments & Quizes in research?
I'm a graduate student and soon be a Ph.D. student in Physics. The semester is about to end. We have been given too many assignments throughout the semester that we don't get time to read the topic ...
0
votes
2answers
173 views
Is it OK to have side projects during grad school and how can I get on?
I think the title is pretty self-explanatory. I am very happy with my current research topic but I would like to have some side research. Is it OK? And in case it is, how do people get those projects?
4
votes
1answer
384 views
Possible red flags in a PhD interview?
So I've recently had a couple of PhD interviews that I was invited to. In the first one, there were several people present for my brief talk, after which they asked me some questions. Then most people ...
7
votes
5answers
563 views
How should I report a prior plagiarism offence from undergrad after being admitted to grad school?
I'm currently enrolled in a Master's coursework program in Australia and I've just completed my first semester. I've been looking into going to law school in Australia after I'm done. I submitted my ...
-5
votes
3answers
238 views
Tips for finding chill PhD programs and advisors to apply to? [closed]
I'm in industry now. I'm applying to PhD programs but don't want to be under a lot of stress so that I can have time to slowly think deeply about problems and explore stuff without having pressure to ...
2
votes
1answer
93 views
Do US universities with rolling admissions evaluate an application only when they receive all the recommendation letters for that application?
I recently submitted an application to a PhD program at one US university. One of my former professors, however, who initially agreed to recommend me, have not yet submitted to the university her ...
4
votes
10answers
4k views
Motivation Interview: Your Cons and Pros. What to answer if I can't find any my cons?
I am going to have "entretien de motivation" (interview of motivation) for a graduate school. There is a high change that one of the questions will be like "What are your pros and cons?&...
3
votes
1answer
147 views
How useful is taking courses for your research progress? [closed]
As a grad student (Computer Science), I always feel like I lack the tools needed to make progress with my research. One solution I thought might be helpful would be to take more courses, especially ...
-2
votes
1answer
134 views
Instructor is convering a large portion of course in small period of time
We are taking a course in Mathematical Physics and due to pandemics, the semester period is reduced by at least a month than usual. The last few classes were rushed, the instructor barely give time to ...
0
votes
1answer
60 views
Transfering (Reapplying) to another PhD Program because the current lab does not have enough funding?
I am currently a graduate student at a research institution (not a university). My stipend was paid based on my professor's grants, but it seems something happened with his grants that he told me he ...
1
vote
1answer
146 views
Applying to Postdocs after Graduating
Im a 6th year PhD student in the United States. Im not totally excited about my current CV/publications, but I have a few final projects I'm excited to finish up before I end my program this summer.
...
2
votes
1answer
207 views
Explaining low GPA in recommendation letter
For application to a PhD program, both undergraduate and graduate transcripts are required. If the master's GPA is pretty good but the bachelor's is low as the student was recovering from an health ...
1
vote
1answer
129 views
Can secretary of a faculty upload letter of recommendation on behalf of the letter author?
I am applying for Ph.D. positions in the USA and for that I have asked the department head of my past institute to write a LOR for me. He agreed to write one for me but the problem is I am applying to ...
2
votes
1answer
163 views
Contents of the CV for master's application
I am applying as an international student for master's in computer science at the United States. I am preparing my CV for the application and I have mentioned my academic and work experience.
Should i ...
2
votes
1answer
129 views
University affiliation of potential supervisor
Day before yesterday, I emailed a potential supervisor asking whether she is accepting PhD students. The profile of the supervisor is in the faculty directory of University of Southern California. She ...
30
votes
5answers
9k views
Two-thirds of the class received an extra 10 minutes on an exam. Should I bring this up with the professor?
One of my graduate-level classes had our midterm exam worth 30% of our class grade. Since our class is too big for proper distancing in our usual room, the professor split the class.
Two-thirds of the ...
0
votes
2answers
92 views
Is it good idea to mention the names of the professors in a Statement of Purpose? [duplicate]
I am applying for a a Master's in Computer science at United States as an International Student. If I mention the names of a couple of professors of the university in my SOP, and indicate that I find ...
1
vote
2answers
289 views
If I quit my PhD due to mental health concerns, what are the chances I can do a grad program (later) at a different university?
TW: Depression/suicide
TL;DR Thinking of quitting my PhD; Don't want to because of the perception that I'd be closing some doors on my future, but in my heart of hearts I know it's probably in my best ...
-1
votes
1answer
136 views
Faculty members: How open are you with your recommendation letters? [closed]
If a student asks to see their recommendation letter would you show them? Assuming you're done writing their letter and haven't sent it in, what would you think of a student if they asked to see the ...
3
votes
2answers
288 views
Are all PhD stipends the same amount?
Controlling for a specific department/university/fellowship do more desirable students get better stipends? For example, is everyone who's offered an RA position at University of Washington (or ...
7
votes
2answers
313 views
Grad student publishing a paper with a section that my advisor likes and my co-authors dislike?
I'm a MS student working on publishing my first manuscript. I wrote the draft, had it reviewed by my advisor (a co-author), then sent it out to my other co-authors for feedback.
Two of them (out of 4) ...
2
votes
1answer
256 views
Why would a research professor want my CV and research statement if they cannot supervise students?
Recently I contacted a research professor at a major US university about being his student. After some days, I emailed the head of the school asking if research professors are allowed to supervise ...
3
votes
2answers
557 views
What should I think after a very positive reply to cold mail?
Recently, I started sending cold mails to profs for upcoming PhD applications. Two of them replied instantly right after my mail:
Thank you for contacting me, I am planning taking graduate students ...
2
votes
1answer
231 views
Do less selective institutions have a lower workload for Ph.D. students?
Is the standard for graduating lower at lower-ranked institutions? How large of a difference is this?
Computer Science, USA specifically
1
vote
2answers
261 views
Should I submit my math subject GRE score?
I'm a US student applying to PhD programs in pure mathematics this semester. Most of the programs I am applying to are highly ranked schools which are making the subject GRE optional this semester. ...
1
vote
2answers
118 views
The Professors I want to work with are almost all in a different department to the one I want to apply to, is that a problem? This is for US unis
I am in the process of contacting potential advisors at various universities, and finding out if they would be willing to take me on as a student, and then mention this in the application. However, I ...
