Alex Quinn's Japan Journal

12/4/2005, Grad school applications

I haven't been writing in my journal much lately.  I've got some catching up to do.  Lately, the task of getting graduate school applications together has been a dominating force.  It leaves room for little else.  I'm not taking Japanese lessons, eating okonomiyaki, or doing social things.  The worst thing is that I don't even see Akemi much.  However, it should be done in a few more weeks.  My plan is to do a PhD in computer science at a university back home in the US.  Application deadlines range from 12/15/05 to 1/15/06.  I'm also hoping to retake the GRE computer science subject test in Kobe this Saturday.  But, I've got to get quite a few applications done before I can study for that.  Since I've already taken the test once this year, the applications are first priority now.

A friend dropped by to make sure I hadn't died.  He was kind enough to take a picture of my... umm.... work area.

Honest.  It's not usually this messy!

What goes into an application?  Here's a pretty typical application scenario.

• Online application. Covers my past education, jobs, research experience, goals, and other stuff you'd expect.  Some of them also want some unusual information.  For example, one of them wants to know the title and author of the textbooks of all of my computer science courses.  And, one of them wanted me to do some extended calculations on my grades.  Some of them make you finish and submit your application before your recommenders can start working on their letters.  That's annoying because it means the recommenders have less time to work on the letters and you have to complete your application a long time before the stated deadline.
• Recommendation letters. Usually submitted online.  However, I had to prepare an elaborate information packet detailing my plans, everywhere I wanted to apply, what I wanted to do, my grades, and a bunch of other stuff.  I sent the packet to my recommenders by email.  My recommenders are professors I worked with in my undergraduate days.  I owe them a lot, for getting me interested in research, giving me opportunities, introducing me to people, and now for spending a lot of time writing these letters.  The letters are not simple.
• Transcripts Depending on the school, they might be sent directly from my undergraduate university or I might send them directly.  Each school has their own policies.
• GRE General scores. A test I took which covers English, math, and analytical writing.  I recently retook it in Osaka.
• GRE Subject Test in Computer Science. A test I took about computer science.  I recently retook it in Kobe.
• Statement of Purpose. For each school I apply to, I research the school, find out who does research I'm interested in, think about what I'd want to do if I went there, and write an essay (about 2 pages) about my background and very specifically what kind of research I want to do if I go there.  I have to learn a fair amount about the faculty at each school before I can write the essays.

I'll be evaluated based on my research experience, seriousness, intellectual maturity, grades, test scores, recommendation letters, and statement of purpose, in no particular order.  Every school has their own priorities, but all schools take everything into account.

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