graduate fellowship applications jeffrey donnell mechanical engineering mrdc 3104 894-8568 /...

Graduate Fellowship Applications

Jeffrey Donnell

Mechanical Engineering

MRDC 3104

894-8568 / jeffrey.donnell@me.gatech.edu

Jeffrey Donnell The Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering 2

• Who pays for graduate education?

• Admission criteria.

• How to apply for national fellowships.

• Go to www.me.gatech.edu/me/academics/graduate/Graduate_Fellowship_Applications.ppt

Jeffrey Donnell The Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering 3

Who Pays for your education?

• Your Employer

• Your Department (GTA)

• Your Research Advisor (GRA)

• Fellowships (Government and / or private)

Jeffrey Donnell The Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering 4

• GPA

• GRE scores

• Biosketch/essay

• Interest in Ph.D.

• Letters of recommendation

• Specific field of interest

How people decide whether to pay for you

Jeffrey Donnell The Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering 5

• GPA > 3.0

• Graduate Record Exams– Verbal 500– Quantitative 700– Analytical writing 4 to 4.5

• GRE Engineering is not required

Quantitative Guidelines for Admission(without funding)

Jeffrey Donnell The Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering 6

The Admission Process (for GRA)

• Faculty members estimate how many students they can pay

• Admissions director matches student applicants with faculty needs

Jeffrey Donnell The Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering 7

• GPA 3.7

• Graduate Record Exams– Verbal 600– Quantitative 700– Analytical writing 5

• GRE Engineering is not required

Quantitative Guidelines for GRA

Jeffrey Donnell The Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering 8

Quantitative Guidelines for NSF Graduate Research Fellowships

• GPA > 3.5• Pedigree of school• Graduate Record Exams

• Verbal 600

• Quantitative 700

• Analytical writing 5

• GRE Engineering is not required

Jeffrey Donnell The Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering 9

Resources at GT Graduate Studies

Fellowship links:

www.grad.gatech.edu

Dr. Amanda Gable

Savant 307

894-0014

amanda.gable@grad.gatech.edu

Jeffrey Donnell The Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering 10

International Fellowships

Contact Dr. Gable for information about international opportunities, including:

• Rhodes

• Marshall

• Truman

• Gates

• Fulbright

Jeffrey Donnell The Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering 11

Locating fellowship links

Jeffrey Donnell The Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering 12

safafg

Jeffrey Donnell The Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering 13

After selecting“Fellowships”:

Jeffrey Donnell The Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering 14

Jeffrey Donnell The Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering 15

Jeffrey Donnell The Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering 16

A sample fellowship description

Jeffrey Donnell The Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering 17

Jeffrey Donnell The Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering 18

Jeffrey Donnell The Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering 19

Jeffrey Donnell The Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering 20

Jeffrey Donnell The Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering 21

What are the deadlines?

• For Graduate Admission:December through February

(depends on the school)

• For Graduate Fellowships:Early November (NSF)

Mid January (DoD)

Early February (NASA)

Jeffrey Donnell The Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering 22

What you should prepare

1. Plan of study

2. Experience

3. Motivation

4. Impact of your work

Jeffrey Donnell The Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering 23

Fellowship application essays

• Plan of Research / Study

• Biosketch / Experience

• Motivation / Personal experiences

• Experiences – integrating research and education, – advancing diversity, and – contributing to your community

Jeffrey Donnell The Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering 24

Your Plan of Study

• Describe a project / research interest– Field in the discipline– Practical need– A specific problem

• A plan for attacking the problem

Not stated but important:Find an advisor!

Jeffrey Donnell The Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering 25

Research guides and your advisor search

Jeffrey Donnell The Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering 26

Look for research interests and publications

Jeffrey Donnell The Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering 27

Experience

Required– Describe your role in professional projects

Optional (but useful)– Describe what experience has prepared you for– Did your plan evolve from professional

experiences?

Jeffrey Donnell The Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering 28

Describing projects

• Need / Problem– What was the project supposed to do or determine?

• Tasks– What did you design?– What tests did you conduct?

• Result– What was developed (or expected)?– What publications were issued (or projected)?

Jeffrey Donnell The Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering 29

Personal, professional or educational experiences or situations

What do you bring to your colleagues?

– What motivates you?– What experiences or interests do you bring to

your work? – What might people learn from you?

Jeffrey Donnell The Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering 30

Research & education, diversity, community

What have you done (or will you do) for others?

– Teaching? Judging science fairs?– Inviting others to participate?– Professional activities, Campus activities, Civic

activities?

Jeffrey Donnell The Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering 31

NSF Review Panel

• All applications accumulate.• Deadlines are strictly enforced.• All credentials and information must be

provided.• Panel meets for three days.• Each applicant is reviewed by three

panelists.

Jeffrey Donnell The Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering 32

NSF Review Panel

• Panelists bring their own biases to bear.

• Process is imperfect.

• Write your application with the reader in mind.

Jeffrey Donnell The Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering 33

NSF Review Panel

Reviewers are asked to assess:

• Intellectual merit of the applicant

• Broader impact of supporting an individual’s graduate study

Jeffrey Donnell The Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering 34

Jeffrey Donnell The Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering 35

References--1

How people invest in you!

– University Faculty (strongly preferred)– Professional supervisors (when qualified)– Faculty at other schools (when available)

They must understand your plans and interests

Jeffrey Donnell The Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering 36

References--2

To write a supportive letter, faculty members need these things from you:

– Resume– Plan– Biosketch / Experience – Your time and enthusiasm

Jeffrey Donnell The Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering 37

References--3

How they invest in you:

– Letters (commonly for several years)– Feedback on your plan– Information about schools and potential

advisors – A professional network