<p>Greetings from a high school junior. I hope with that statement I'm not immediately criticized for being on the forum, but I plan really far ahead. Seriously. It's a big deal.
Er, in any case, I've been stalking this forum for awhile and I'm wondering-
What should I do from now until my senior year in college to get a spot at a top graduate school for a PhD in computer science?
I realize that my views and goals and whatnot could completely change in the next... five years? and they probably will. But if I start preparing even now, I'm sure that could set me up for an awesome graduate school. So please, no "you don't even know what you want". I understand that could be the case.
Few notes - I don't want a PhD for the money, I have an uncle in a computer science career and he describes research as "epic" (his words, not mine). From what I've heard, I'd love it.
Current favorite for undergrad is Northeastern University. It's somewhat mandatory to do three co-ops, but they can be replaced each with 6 month stints of research. It's a five year program, but I have the AP credit right now to graduate a year early (or earlier with summer classes).
I appreciate any and all advice.
(And thanks for putting up with my awkward language!)</p>
<p>Well, the main steps you can take:</p>
<p>(1) Maintain a high gpa. Duh.
(2) Study for retention, not to pass a test.
(3) Pick your schools very carefully. People flunk out of every school, including Harvard and MIT, either because they were underprepared or else because they picked the wrong school FOR THEM.
(4) Learn your field very well, so that you can understand what your options and interests are.
(5) Avoid unnecessary academics - if that double major or that extra minor relate to your intended career, go for it, otherwise stay away. My opinion, others may disagree.
(6) Develop solid relationships with professors and professionals in your field, especially those who are prestigious or who are researching your preferred areas.
(7) Get involved in research, early and often. The closer it is to your intended area, the better.
(8) Read for fun. The biggest obstacle to science types on the GRE is the verbal. The more you read, the easier the reading and writing sections will be.
(9) Have fun. You only get to be a REAL high schooler or undergrad once. Grad school is pointless if you burn yourself out getting there.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice, cosmicfish. I hope I can honestly remember to have fun.</p>
<p>As long as you realize that your goals and wants will likely change between now and your senior year of college, I think it’s perfectly fine to start planning now. You do know what you want…it’s just that it may change, and that’s okay. You recognize that. And it’s good to have a goal to work to rather than wandering around aimlessly – knowing that I wanted to go to graduate school kept me motivated in college (I decided I wanted a Ph.D somewhere between my freshman and sophomore years of college, and I didn’t change my mind).</p>
<p>Cosmicfish gives good advice. Keep your GPA as high as possible, and pick your undergrad carefully. That may include going to a less expensive school for undergrad so that you will have the widest range of options for graduate school (Ph.Ds are usually fully funded, but there is a possibility you will have to earn a master’s first). I also agree with him about the double major and extra minor. So many college students do it nowadays unnecessarily. A double major in computer science and mathematics? May be awesome. A double major in computer science and literature? …not so much, and it may just take you extra time and require you to take classes in literature when you could be taking higher-level classes in computer science, including graduate level classes.</p>
<p>I cannot stress number 7 enough. Since you already know you want to do a Ph.D in computer science, if you can get a research opportunity during the second half of your freshman year or your sophomore year, do that. Write a senior thesis if your school allows it. Trust me, executing an independent research project will make graduate school that much easier. Also, getting closer to professors is good advice. Their experiences will be invaluable. Sit at their feet and listen to their stories. I had a particularly great mentor in undergrad to whom I give a large amount of the credit of getting me into graduate school.</p>
<p>Also, don’t let setbacks slow you down. Everyone messes up sometimes - I failed a class IN MY FIELD (I’m a social psychologist! I failed social psychology!) and I still got into a top program in my field. The rest of my application was very solid, and it was obvious from my transcript that was a terrible semester for me. Maybe you can’t get into a lab until your junior year or you get a C or lower in a class you really need. Keep on pressing and remind yourself that the rest of your record is impeccable. Don’t let shortcomings paralyze you, starting right in high school.</p>
<p>Thanks, juillet. You don’t know how valuable that advice is.</p>