diff --git a/demystify.pdf b/demystify.pdf index a3f4673..533fd79 100644 Binary files a/demystify.pdf and b/demystify.pdf differ diff --git a/demystify.tex b/demystify.tex index 09e3ec4..0107c8e 100644 --- a/demystify.tex +++ b/demystify.tex @@ -58,9 +58,9 @@ \author{\small \href{https://nguyenthanhvuh.github.io}{ThanhVu (Vu) Nguyen} (\href{mailto:tvn@gmu.edu}{tvn@gmu.edu})} \begin{document} -\setcounter{section}{-1}; \maketitle +\setcounter{section}{-1}; \begin{abstract} Having been involved in PhD admissions for many years, I've @@ -661,7 +661,17 @@ \subsection{What can you do to increase your admission chance?}\label{sec:improv \subsection{Can I apply to CS PhD if my undergrad was not in CS or related areas?} -Yes, as long as you can demonstrate you are ready for CS PhD research through research experiences, LoRs, statements, etc as mentioned. You might be even able to leverage this to make your profile stand out as mentioned in \S\ref{sec:improve-your-chance}. +Yes, \emph{as long as} you can demonstrate you are ready for CS PhD research through research experiences, LoRs, statements, etc as mentioned. You might be even able to leverage this to make your profile stand out as mentioned in \S\ref{sec:improve-your-chance}. + +One main concern for non-CS or non-STEM students is if you have the sufficient technical background, typically obtained through core CS courses. So you will want to show that you have such knowledge through your coursework, projects, or research. +For example, if you have taken a course on Algorithms, even online ones like Coursera, you can talk about it in your statement. If you have done a project or have a professional certification (e.g., A+) through work that requires knowledge of OS, you can talk about it in your statement. If you have done research that requires knowledge of Discrete Maths, you can talk about it in your statement. You can also ask your LoR writers to talk about your technical background. +In summary, in your application, convince us that you have the technical background to do CS PhD research. +Note that many online courses teaching about AI does not really help much as these are not core CS knowledge. + +In short, you \emph{do not need} to formally taking CS courses, you just need to show that you have these essential knowledge through ways as mentioned. Many universities are well-aware that incoming graduate students might not have all the technical background, so they often have a "bridge" courses to help students catch up. For example, GMU has 4 bridge courses (Data Structure and Algorithm, Computer Systems, Discrete Maths, and Programming Foundation) that incoming students can take to catch up on their CS knowledge. + +\begin{commentbox}[Vu:] + I would strongly advocate to admit a student with a non-STEM background (e.g., business, English major) but can show that they have a strong drive for CS by studying core CS knowledge through various channels (e.g., self-study through online courses, projects, etc). I have seen many students with non-CS background who are very successful in CS PhD. In fact, I have seen many students with CS background who are not successful in CS PhD. So it is not about your background, it is about your drive and passion for CS research. \end{commentbox} \subsection{Is an MS degree required for admission to PhD in CS?}\label{sec:msrequirement} No. In fact, student with BS can get MS degree ``along the way'' to PhD. However, MS can help if it gives research experience or is from a more well-known school than your undergrad institution. @@ -687,17 +697,17 @@ \subsection{How long does it take to complete the CS PhD program?}\label{sec:tim \subsection{Difference between PhD in the US and other countries} -Here I try to list the main differences between CS PhD in the US and other countries. This is based on my experience in the US and what I heard from others who did PhD in other countries. +Here we summarize the main differences between CS PhD in the US and other countries. This is based on my experience and what I heard from others who did PhD in other countries. \emph{MS Degree requirement}: as mentioned in \S\ref{sec:msrequirement} and \ref{sec:time}, US PhD programs do not require MS degree. In contrast, many other countries do require MS degree before joining a PhD program. This means that US PhD programs are longer (5--7 years, 2 of which are coursework) than other countries (3--4 years, no coursework). -\emph{Project proposal}: in many countries, you have to choose a project and advisor \emph{during} the application process (e.g., you write a proposal for potential advisor). In the US, you start your PhD without a project and advisor and find them later. This is also why US PhD programs are longer. +\emph{Project proposal}: in many countries, you have to choose a project and advisor \emph{during} the application process (e.g., you write a proposal to a potential advisor). In the US, you often start your PhD without a project and advisor and find them later. This is also why US PhD programs are longer. \emph{Course work}: in the US you will spend the first couple of years taking classes and explore potential advisor and research topics. In other countries, you often do not do course work and start your research right away, e.g., you immediately work on the research project you propose with the advisor you chose. In the US you also have to pass a series of "exams", e.g., qualifying exam, comprehensive exam, thesis proposal defense. In other countries, you do not have to do these exams or only do few of them. For example, ABD (all but dissertation) is used in the US to refer to a PhD candidate who have finished all course work and exams and only need to write and defend their dissertation. -\emph{Funding}: In Europe, stipend (salary) comes from the university or from Gov research organizations and often have a fixed duration (e.g., 3 years). In the US, stipend (e.g., RA) comes directly from your advisor (and no fixed duration). There are fewer TA opportunities in the European universities compared to the US. +\emph{Funding}: In Europe, stipend (salary) comes from the university or from gov't research organizations and often have a fixed duration (e.g., 3 years). In the US, stipend (e.g., RA) comes directly from your advisor (no fixed duration). There are also fewer TA opportunities in the European universities compared to the US. -\emph{Faculty Position after PhD}: In other countries, PhD graduates typically apply for research positions at research labs, i.e., postdocs, and then consider faculty position. In the US, PhD graduates interested in academia can apply directly for faculty position. This is why US PhD programs are longer and more focused on research. +\emph{Faculty position after PhD}: In other countries, PhD graduates typically apply for research positions at research labs, i.e., postdocs, and then consider faculty position. In the US, PhD graduates interested in academia can apply directly for faculty position. This is why US PhD programs are longer and more focused on research. \emph{Work-life balance}: PhD students are often overworked in the US (seriously!) compared to other countries, e.g., in Europe. This is partly due to the longer PhD program and that US PhD students are often paid through TA, which requires them to work for the dept. In contrast, PhD students in other countries are often paid through fellowships, which do not require them to do TA work. @@ -725,7 +735,7 @@ \subsection{How much do \emph{you} cost?}\label{sec:ra-cost} PhD students often ask why their salary is so low compared to ludicrous grants their advisors get. They also wonder why their offer letters sometime mentioned that their benefits appear better than what they actually receive (i.e., stipend). This section aims to shed some light to these questions. \begin{center} - \includegraphics[scale=0.5]{c6.png} + \includegraphics[scale=0.3]{c6.png} \end{center} \begin{table} @@ -758,8 +768,10 @@ \subsection{How much do \emph{you} cost?}\label{sec:ra-cost} \end{tabular} \end{table} -Tab.~\ref{tab:cost} shows the budget breakdown for a GRA per year (this level of details is what faculty actually uses when applying for funding). -These numbers are based on my experience at public universities in the US. Private universities may have different numbers. For simplicity, I will assume the department has a 9-month stipend of \$27000 (GMU actually pays more) and therefore a 3-month summer of \$9000. I will also use GMU tuition rate of about \$15,000/year for full-time study (which is quite cheap compared to private universities, e.g., MIT charges around \$50K) and a 58.9\% rate on \emph{indirect cost}, which is what GMU charges for overhead or administrative costs (yes, after all, universities are businesses!). Finally, I assume the student makes two conference trips per year, one domestic and one international (so conf. registration, airline tickets, taxi, meals, etc are all included). At the end, the total budget comes out to be \$69K. \emph{The summary is that while you're paid X, your advisor probably pays 2X for you}. +Tab.~\ref{tab:cost} shows the budget breakdown for a GRA per year (this level of details is what faculty actually uses when applying for grants). +These numbers are based on my experience at public universities in the US. Private universities may have different numbers. For simplicity, I will assume the department has a 9-month stipend of \$27000 (GMU actually pays more) and therefore a 3-month summer of \$9000. I will also use GMU tuition rate of about \$15,000/year for full-time study (which is quite cheap compared to private universities, e.g., MIT charges around \$50K) and a 58.9\% rate on \emph{indirect cost}, which is what GMU charges for overhead or administrative costs (yes, after all, universities are businesses!). Finally, I assume the student take two conference trips per year, one domestic and one international (conf. registration, airline tickets, taxi, meals, etc are all included). + +At the end, the total budget comes out to be \$69K/year to support a PhD student. \emph{The summary is that over your 5-6 year of your PhD, you cost about \$350K--400K, and while you're paid X, your advisor probably pays 2X for you}. %\subsection{Having fun during a PhD?} @@ -768,18 +780,16 @@ \subsection{How much do \emph{you} cost?}\label{sec:ra-cost} %There are many advice on surviving PhD that you can follow. But here I just list a few that works for me and what I advice my students to do.\tvn{TODO} -\subsection{Will I be miserable during my a PhD?} -Many posts from VietPhD, a Facebook group for Vietnamese PhD students, are about how PhD students are mistreated, stressed, and miserable. Sure there are issues with PhD and academic in general, but then there are also issues any jobs, family, and life. Certainly there are horrible professors, bad relationships with co-authors and officemates, feeling left out or discriminated (e.g., because you're an international student), and it is good to be aware of those. However, in reality there are many good mentors, supportive labmates and department, happy students, etc. Don't let social media make you feel pessimistic and destroy your quest to advance knowledge. +\subsection{Will I be miserable during my a PhD?}\label{sec:miserable} +Many posts from VietPhD, a Facebook group for Vietnamese PhD students, are about how PhD students are mistreated, stressed, and miserable. Indeed there are issues with PhD and academic in general, but then there are also issues with jobs, family, and life. Certainly there are bad relationships with professors, co-authors, and officemates, and toxic working environment, feeling left out or discriminated (e.g., because you're an international student), and it is good to be aware of those. However, in reality there are many good mentors, supportive labmates and department, happy students, etc. So don't let social media make you feel pessimistic and destroy your quest to advance knowledge. \section{Cultural Differences and Other Issues}\label{sec:cultural} This section lists various cultural issues that international students should pay attention to. - \paragraph{Diversity} US universities prioritize diversity and inclusion. Students need to respect and appreciate varied opinions, backgrounds, and cultures. Unlike some countries where certain voices are marginalized, in the US, all perspectives are valued equally (especially at universities). Racism or discrimination will have serious consequences, including academic and disciplinary actions. - \paragraph{Academic Integrity} Plagiarism and cheating (e.g., exams, coding) is a BIG no-no in the US. If you're caught cheating, you will face very heavy consequence and likely be expelled from the university (e.g., after the second time at GMU). This is quite different from many international countries where cheating is common and often tolerated. Faculty is extremely good at detecting cheating (we have been dealing with these situations so many times over so many years), and \emph{will} report cheating cases. In short, whatever you do, don't cheat---not worth it. Here is the typically steps: (i) a faculty suspecting a cheating case will report it to the Office of Academic Integrity (OAI) at the university; (ii) OAI will take over and investigate the case; and finally (iii) OAI will make the final decision. It is important to note that after receiving the report from your prof., OAI \emph{completely} takes over and makes decision. This means begging your professor will not help because they simply are no longer involved in the case. @@ -835,7 +845,7 @@ \section{History and Acknowledgement} \paragraph{History} This document was conceived during a lunch with Craig Yu at GMU. We talked on about why GMU were not able to attract good Vietnamese and other international students, despite having a much stronger CS program than many schools that these students want to go to (part of the reason is described in \S\ref{sec:ranking}). We wished there were a way for international students to know about the US PhD programs (as well as for US faculty to understand more about international students and therefore have better chance of recruiting and working with them). I was also a member of the large VietPhD group on Facebook and saw many questions from students about PhD programs. However, most active participant are students in non-CS fields or not in US. Like ChatGPT, their answers to CS PhD program in the US could be informative and helpful, but unfortunately not always accurate and sometimes leading to more confusion. So I thought it would be useful to have a document that is specific to CS PhD programs in the US from an insider prospective. -I started writing this document in May 2023 and have been updating it since then (mostly around deadline time when I tend to procrastinate!). I have put the source code of this document on \href{https://github.com/nguyenthanhvuh/phd-cs-us}{GitHub} so that anyone can contribute to it. +I started writing this document in May 2023 and have been updating it since then (mostly around deadline time when I tend to procrastinate, i.e., \emph{productive procrastination}!). I have put the source code of this document on \href{https://github.com/nguyenthanhvuh/phd-cs-us}{GitHub} so that anyone can contribute to it. \paragraph{Acknowledgement} Many people have contributed to this document. Profs. Craig Yu (GMU), Hakan Aydin (GMU),