So, you're thinking about joining my research group? Welcome! Before you hit 'send' on that application form or email, let's have a little chat about what I want to know about you! (Spoiler alert: it's not just about grades! I value your personality, ability, and potential).
When reaching out, I'm particularly interested in three key things - what, why, and how:
1. What makes you a unique or fit candidate? Of course, you can tell me your school, the classes you took, your GPA, and the programming languages you're proficient in. But beyond that, I'm more curious about what makes you stand out from the crowd of applicants with great GPAs and shiny diplomas: I want to know your technical abilities (e.g., writing solid code, publishing papers in international conferences, and having research experience) and personal traits (e.g., being a fast learner, diligent, detail-oriented, and skilled at observing and summarizing problems). Don't just list your awesomeness; try to impress me with examples of your achievements that showcase your distinctive characteristics.
2. Why do you want to work with me? Sure, you might be reaching out to multiple professors, but mass-emailing generic messages and simply copy-pasting professors’ paper titles won't win hearts. Instead, take some time to explore my research and identify the research directions that genuinely spark your interest. Remember, your research interests may impact and shape your entire career, so make sure you understand my work and how it aligns with your aspirations. Let's ensure we're a good match or complement one another in research.
3. How do you envision your first research project in my team? In other words, what do you want to do? If you're new to the research realm, no worries! Take a moment to consider the projects that align with your skills or tackle issues you deem highly significant. I’m eager to know how you think, even if your thoughts are still a bit vague! Plus, it help me better support you throughout your thrilling Ph.D. journey.
Expected candidates:
· Major: Computer Science, Data Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Transportation Engineering, or other related fields.
· Solid coding skills in machine learning frameworks (such as Pytorch and TensorFlow).
· Strong passion for doing good research.
What will I offer?
· Hands-on research experience, plus funding and travel supports for all PhD students.
· Treat my students as my colleagues (not worker bees; you are tomorrow's top researchers and award winners).
· Research collaborations with prestigious research groups in both academia and industry.
· Internship opportunities in the high-tech industry.
Interested in joining?
· Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for admission to William & Mary and fill out this Google form.
· If Google-based services have not been available to you, please follow my advice above and drop me an email at sidi@wm.edu with the subject line “[Position] Application - [Full Name].â€
Graduate application deadlines:
· For Fall admission: March 1 (to be considered for financial aid), March 15 (for international applicants who need a visa to travel to the US), June 1 (for all other applicants).
· For Spring admission: October 1 (for all applicants).
· There is no strict minimum threshold for TOEFL or GRE scores. Starting fall 2021, GRE scores are optional.
Other useful links:
· Dr. Mark Corner posted some blunt but solid advice here for students to get into CS Graduate School in the USA. You may want to read it.