How (and why) to apply to CS PhD programs from industry
1 min read
Summary
A draft article has been released outlining advice for software engineers considering a career move into PhD computer science programs.
The author, who was accepted into six competitive programs before choosing to attend MIT’s CSAIL, emphasizes that a PhD is best regarded as a job application.
Applicants should know their motivation, emphasizing long-term benefits over immediate financial returns, and should perform research to demonstrate their skills and interests.
Playing the application game is important, and referrals or recommendations can be important for prospective students without a network.
The author also cautions that a PhD is a significant time and financial sacrifice; prospective students should be willing to live frugally and work on topics they are passionate about for several years with no guarantee of financial reward.
Lastly, the author emphasizes the value of advisor fit and advises applicants to carefully choose a lab and supervisor whose interests align with their own.
Related reading: links within the article suggest other helpful materials for prospective PhD students.