Choosing the Right Graduate School: Tips for Success

Jen advises prospective grad students to consider professors' research alignment, department investment, and employment rates when choosing a school.

### How to Choose a Graduate School in the U.S. (Master's vs. Ph.D., Job Considerations)
* 🎓 Jen, a YouTuber living in the U.S., shares her experience and advice on **choosing a graduate school in the U.S.**
* 🏫 For Ph.D. programs, it's crucial to **align research interests with professors** and consider **financial support**.
* 🔍 Master's students should carefully evaluate the curriculum to match their **career goals**.
* 💼 When planning to work after graduation, consider **regional job preferences** and **required skills**.
* 📊 Check the school's **employment rate** and **alumni distribution** to gauge industry perception.
* 🎓 One-year master's programs can be a **quicker option** without a **thesis requirement**.
* 🌟 Jen emphasizes the importance of **proactive preparation** and **seizing opportunities** in the U.S. job market.
* 👋 She concludes by encouraging viewers to **like, subscribe, and look forward to her next video**.

Hello everyone, this is Jen from Living as Jen. I named this channel as such because since coming to the United States, I have been living as Jen here. I opened this channel to show my life in the U.S., starting with videos related to school, and now including working and even being a working mom. Among them, the most popular videos were mostly related to applying for a master's degree in the U.S. or preparing to study abroad. When I applied for a master's program in the U.S., the results gradually came out at that time. Of course, when applying for graduate school, some people apply to only one, two, or three universities, but if you, like me, applied to about ten or more, or even more than five schools, you may receive acceptance emails from two or more schools. I also had that experience.

I had applied to two schools that I wanted to go to. I received acceptance emails from both schools and was worried. When applying to graduate school, I applied to the school that was most suitable for the studies I wanted to pursue, but since that school was really famous, I still wanted to give it a try. So, there were cases where I applied for it. At that time, I had a lot of concerns about whether it would be more appropriate to go to a university that met the criteria I had set. So, when I received the acceptance email at that time, I was very happy. However, deciding which school to ultimately attend was my own concern. As the time for receiving acceptance announcements approached, I decided to make this video. While preparing this video, I realized that watching this video at the time of selecting a school when applying to graduate school could be really helpful. So,

For those preparing for the spring semester next year, it would be helpful to refer to the university survey and list of universities. Before starting this video, I want to clarify that I was preparing for a master's degree, not a Ph.D. I will briefly touch on Ph.D.-related content and focus more on master's students. First, I will talk about the Ph.D. process. When I applied to graduate school, I initially thought of getting a master's degree first and then pursuing a Ph.D. later if I felt like it. So, I asked people around me how to choose a school and what criteria to consider if I wanted to pursue a Ph.D. According to their advice, it is crucial that the research fit I want to pursue aligns with the research interests of the professors. They emphasized that this is the most important factor. If the professor works in a slightly similar field, then I could.

I mentioned that I would like to do this research, and because of the support, I received from the professor, the research with the professor, and how many papers were published at the university, and how much support the school is providing to that department, I need to look at this. Secondly, when supporting a doctoral student, professors mostly support tuition fees from their research labs, and if you work as a TA, you can even earn pocket money. However, it is said that it is only possible if the school's finances are good. You should check not only the school's financial situation but also how much money they invest in education per student per week. Lastly, the doctoral program is different from the master's program. Of course, there are friends who graduate quickly, but generally, you should consider a basic 5 years. The United States is so vast that the atmosphere varies from state to state.

The seasons are different, and everything feels really different in each country. If you think you'll just study in the lab and at home when you become a PhD student, it might not be a big problem. But have you ever thought about whether the atmosphere and weather of that week make you enjoy studying? It might be good to consider that once. I'll stop here about the PhD and now I'll talk about the master's degree. When choosing a university for a master's degree, I will explain it in four categories. First of all, should you really consider the name value of the university? Since I was born and raised in Korea, I paid a lot of attention to the name value of the university. And now, if you are going to study abroad, when someone asks you which school you are going to, which school in the U.S., which university are you going to study at, I really paid a lot of attention to the name value of the university because I was born and raised in Korea.

I thought I should go to a well-known school that everyone has heard of. Oh, name value is important. Having name value means that there are many capable seniors, and it also means that there are many people who can help you when you enter society. However, not all universities invest in every department, and not all departments have good research achievements. There must be reasons why each university pushes certain departments, and it means that there are many seniors distributed in those departments. So, please don't choose a school based on its name value alone, but consider whether the school is investing a lot in your department. Secondly, think about the purpose of going to graduate school. There could be various reasons for going to graduate school, but among them, if you are going to graduate school for a career change, I really recommend researching universities thoroughly.

I think you need to work hard because changing your field means studying a completely different subject from what you knew in your undergraduate years. Just getting accepted into this is already commendable and truly remarkable. When you enter graduate school, there will be friends studying alongside you who are also transitioning fields like me, but there will also be friends who have been studying that subject for four years since their undergraduate years. When you start working, you will compete with those friends. In comparison to them, my experience is lagging behind by four years. Therefore, I think it's right to have the mindset of filling that gap within two years. That's why I suggest carefully reviewing the school's curriculum.

When you want to, if you go to the university website, each department has its own page. If you go in there, you will see a list of what you will study for two years. Then, if you click on that list, there will be detailed explanations. So, read that carefully, see if the study you want to do aligns with that. Be aware of projects like this are being conducted. Evaluate if what you really want is in line with this direction and it's important to choose a school. Because while taking such classes, if you really wanted to learn and experience something, contact the professor of that subject. When you take the class, usually you receive grades. Then, based on assignments, exam scores, etc., professors can gauge the level of understanding and the thinking ability of the student.

I think I will be able to do that. So, after taking your class once, I went to see the professor. Actually, even before coming to this university, I saw the research you did, and I also took your class. So, I asked if there is any research I can participate in among the research you are doing. Asking for the opportunity to participate in a project will be a really good experience. Because I am changing my industry, I may have less project experience than other friends. In my case, I took a class and went to see the professor once. I said I wanted to do something, but there is no position where I can receive money while doing it. So, I said I don't need the money, just let me participate in the project. I have had the experience of saying that. I worked almost directly with the professor during my Ph.D., but I participated in the professor's project directly.

I have the experience of trying out a Ph.D. program, although I wasn't in the same industry before. There was a somewhat similar aspect, and during interviews, they asked about that specific project, which is almost like an extension of what I am currently working on. So, if you are transitioning to a different industry, I would recommend participating in at least one project to gain that experience. Also, in the case of a master's degree, there are sometimes classes for obtaining certifications. In my case, even though the quality of those classes was a bit disappointing, I found that by obtaining those certifications, many opportunities arose. Currently, I am working on projects at the company, and when I was getting the certification, I had some doubts about whether it would really be helpful for me. However, the projects within the company were closely related to that certification, so I ended up participating in the projects. Looking at the university curriculum, you can see that it really helps a lot in the future.

When you are able to utilize it, I will talk about the criteria for those who are finishing their master's degree and planning to get a job. I also was someone who thought about getting a job after getting a master's degree in the United States, so I will try to include a bit more detailed information on this part. First, in order to get a job, think about which company you want to enter, what kind of company you want to work for, and set your goals even briefly before entering university. If the company is only located in a specific area, for example, in the IT sector, many are concentrated in the West San Jose or the Bay Area. If that company is your target, I would recommend choosing a university in that area because, based on my job hunting experience in the U.S., there seems to be a kind of regional preference. Companies prefer students from that area, and also, when job fairs are held at universities near those companies, major companies tend to attend.

When you come to school, we will share more detailed information, and there are specific student admissions for certain schools. Also, you should check the job postings of the company you want to go to first. Let me tell you repeatedly. If you are a Korean in the United States, there is LinkedIn in the United States. Please join LinkedIn, then search for the company you want to go to. Then, you will see a lot of job postings there. Look into the department you want in advance. Of course, when you go to graduate school, your goals may change from when you first entered, and the company you want to go to may change. However, if it's not completely off track from the direction you want to go, it will still be helpful. I used this method in my second and third semesters, and I focused on essential courses in the first semester.

In the second and third semesters, I took additional elective courses. However, even though there is a list of elective courses, it's not necessary to take only the ones on that list. So, I searched for job postings from companies I wanted to work for and listed the skills they required. After that, I organized the information on what programs I should know how to use and what knowledge I should have. Then, I looked to see if the school offered courses related to those skills. I took those courses, briefly mentioned in my resume that I know how to use those tools, and considered the employment rate when choosing a school. In my case, the school I ultimately chose was a relatively new department, but the reason I chose that department was that the employment rate was not that bad. Information related to the employment rate is available on the school's website, so current seniors can find it there.

I can see this kind of information about where it is located. So, I also wanted to grow like the seniors who majored in science now, so I chose that school. And the high employment rate means that society has a good perception of that school and department. So, of course, we should consider the employment rate. Lastly, investigate the distribution of seniors who graduated from that school and department. If you go to the links, you will go to the page of the company you want. Then, at the bottom, you will see People Distribution. There, the distribution of people will be shown. You can see which school has many graduates and which majors are there. You can see these statistics and think, Oh, I'm applying for this school now. Oh, I prefer this school, as I mentioned before.

The school spirit in the United States is quite strong as well. After enrolling, send a note to your seniors saying, Hello, I am so-and-so. I have just entered this school, and I really want to work at this company after I graduate. What kind of studies should I do for the next two years, and what kind of preparations should I make? If you ask this, they will explain it to you very kindly. In the U.S., there seems to be even stronger pride in their universities compared to Korea, and they seem to gather strength from each other like this. Nationally, they even have football games now, and there are many school-related items. By wearing and owning them, you start to develop a certain attachment to the school. So, the strong bond between seniors and juniors seems somewhat similar. Therefore, first look at the school distribution of that company's school, and consider whether going to this school is more appropriate.

I think you should consider making a decision to be careful. Lastly, if you want to go to graduate school but want to minimize money and time, I think it's best to choose a short-term one-year master's program. In the U.S., there are two-year master's programs, but there are also one-year programs. I also applied to a one-year school and got accepted. However, at that time, I felt too burdened by English, and looking at the curriculum of that school, it was a big burden to have classes from morning till night. Most one-year programs do not require a thesis, so you can obtain a master's degree without one. It is a program focused on coursework. What I feel while living in the U.S. is that there are many opportunities despite the saying that the U.S. is not what it used to be. Prepared individuals can seize opportunities, but if you are really proactive, you can make opportunities that were not there before.

Opportunities can arise, so prepare well for two years according to your goals. I hope you achieve everything you want to do after graduation. If today's video has been very helpful, please like and subscribe. Then, let's meet again in the next video. Bye.

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젠(Jen)으로 살아가기 Jeeun being Jen

Tips for Choosing Between Graduate School Acceptances

Consider the research fit with professors' interests and the support for your desired research area when choosing a graduate school.

Financial factors, such as tuition support and investment in education, should also be carefully evaluated.

Keep in mind that the timeline and atmosphere of a doctoral program differ from a master's program, with an average duration of 5 years.

Considerations for Choosing a Graduate School

- The importance of considering the university's name value and departmental investment when choosing a graduate school is crucial, rather than solely relying on reputation.

- Thorough research of universities is recommended, especially for those considering a career change, to ensure the school's curriculum aligns with their goals.

- It is important to evaluate if the desired studies and research projects align with the university's direction, and to proactively engage with professors to enhance learning and understanding.

Maximizing Opportunities in Academia and Industry

Participating in research projects, even without pay, can provide valuable experience when transitioning to a new industry.

Obtaining certifications through master's degree classes can lead to unexpected opportunities in the future.

When seeking a job after completing a master's degree, it's beneficial to consider the location of the target company and choose a university in that area to maximize job prospects.

Strategic School Selection and Career Planning for Students

When applying to schools, it's important to research specific student admissions and consider potential job postings.

Joining LinkedIn can provide access to a variety of job postings and help in researching the desired companies.

It's beneficial to focus on essential courses and consider the skills required for the desired job, aligning them with the school's offerings.

Additionally, investigating the school's employment rate and the distribution of graduates can provide valuable insight into the perception of the school and the department.

The Strong School Spirit and Academic Planning in the U.

The school spirit in the United States is notably strong, with a deep bond between seniors and juniors.

American universities have a strong sense of pride, with traditions like football games and school-related items contributing to a sense of attachment.

When planning academic studies and future career paths in the U.

, it's important to consider the advice of seniors and carefully choose a school with a connection to the desired company.

Additionally, for those considering graduate school, opting for a one-year master's program can be beneficial in minimizing time and costs, while still providing valuable opportunities.