Moving to PhD from MS without much research

[cabby]

Hello,

So I'm a current MS student at Stanford but I am planning on applying for PhD in the Fall. I still haven't really had research experience except for several projects in my classes that were designed to be like research projects. I was wondering if I had the professors of those classes write recommendations if that would show enough research experience. I also feel like I should talk to them soon even though it's a long time from now that applications are due! I am seriously very worried about the application process for PhD because I hear about so many people that don't get in anywhere.

I'm hoping to get a PhD in a school in California. My area of interest is in Computer Vision or Graphics. I am wondering if people could comment on my chances for getting into PhD schools in California, like the UCs, Stanford, or Caltech, or if anyone has any advice for me.

Thank you!

[DariaIRL]

If the schools you list are research-based..you will probably need more research experience. Definitely talk to your recommenders early. Perhaps they can provide you with a research opportunity that will help increase your experience and make for a better LOR.

[cabby]

If the schools you list are research-based..you will probably need more research experience. Definitely talk to your recommenders early. Perhaps they can provide you with a research opportunity that will help increase your experience and make for a better LOR.

Let's say I was able to work a bit more on one of the course projects and get it published, which they said might be possible. Would that be enough to show that I can do research? Or would I still need to seek other research opportunities? I thought it might be better to focus on one of the projects I've already begun so I can make better use of what I've already done in the time I have before PhD applications.

[naimulkhan]

Let's say I was able to work a bit more on one of the course projects and get it published, which they said might be possible. Would that be enough to show that I can do research? Or would I still need to seek other research opportunities? I thought it might be better to focus on one of the projects I've already begun so I can make better use of what I've already done in the time I have before PhD applications.

ah u r from my field I see, my specialization is in comp. vision too:D. I can't help you with school rankings though, as I am from Canada. Of course, you should try your best to publish the work you have done for the course. But I don't know if that would be enough to show your research potential. Most of the times they look into one application for a really short period (specially during first stage of screening), so one publication might not be good enough. What you should try start doing from now is, and I can not stress it enough, CONTACT POTENTIAL SUPERVISORS. I know this can be very tedious, but this is something which increases your chance of getting accepted by at least 50%. Go to their personal websites, see what kind of research they do, keep your e-mails short. Some of them even have specific guidelines for potential students too.

[cabby]

ah u r from my field I see, my specialization is in comp. vision too:D. I can't help you with school rankings though, as I am from Canada. Of course, you should try your best to publish the work you have done for the course. But I don't know if that would be enough to show your research potential. Most of the times they look into one application for a really short period (specially during first stage of screening), so one publication might not be good enough. What you should try start doing from now is, and I can not stress it enough, CONTACT POTENTIAL SUPERVISORS. I know this can be very tedious, but this is something which increases your chance of getting accepted by at least 50%. Go to their personal websites, see what kind of research they do, keep your e-mails short. Some of them even have specific guidelines for potential students too.

Thanks for the response!

What kind of emails should I write them? Just tell that I'm interested in their research and will be applying soon? I guess I'm just worried that I'd strike the wrong tone and just sound like some kid who's desperate to get into their program. Also, I've seen requests on websites of professors that potential students NOT contact them. I guess I shouldn't contact those ones?

Do you have any suggestions for the tone/content of the emails to potential advisors?

Thanks!

[naimulkhan]

Thanks for the response!

What kind of emails should I write them? Just tell that I'm interested in their research and will be applying soon? I guess I'm just worried that I'd strike the wrong tone and just sound like some kid who's desperate to get into their program. Also, I've seen requests on websites of professors that potential students NOT contact them. I guess I shouldn't contact those ones?

Do you have any suggestions for the tone/content of the emails to potential advisors?

Thanks!

Be very specific and short, and do not be generic. Do not copy-paste the same mail to everyone. You should make them understand that you have done a little bit of research on them. Try to go through some of their recent papers (very tedious and time consuming, but you have to do it), and talk about some specific aspect. You don't have to propose anything ground breaking in your e-mail, just try to show that you have done some research on them. Do not attach anything in the first mail, I have seen my professor getting very annoyed with all the attachments. Politely ask them in the last sentence "If you are interested, I can send you my detailed resume and unofficial transcripts". I had a very nice example specifically for computer science, from some professor's personal website. I will post it here if I can find it.

And yah, if someone specifically mentions not to contact them, do not do that. Also, in most of the cases they won't even reply ( I read somewhere that the e-mail to reply ratio is 30:1), but don't lose hope. If you can get one of them interested, you are all set for PhD.

Good luck!

[newms]

I had a very nice example specifically for computer science, from some professor's personal website. I will post it here if I can find it.

naimulkhan - Was this the website you mentioned? http://www.cs.prince...ek/gradapp.html