FAQ |
How to Prepare |
PhD/MS/Undergrad |
Let's Meet! |
Prospective UMBC Students |
- Read this whole page. Although it is long, this will make our meeting more productive and help you, and me, get what you need.
- Look over the information on the lab web page to get some idea what we're doing and what project(s) you find interesting. You may find it useful to read a paper or two.
FAQ
- Yes, I am taking new students, especially PhDs. I am looking for self-motivated people who listen well and work well in a close-knit, collaborative group. Good communication skills help. The first step is talking to me.
- Attend the meeting/reading group. A good way to get involved is to ask if you can go to group meetings or seminars and actively participate. Independent studies and RA appointments usually come after that.
- Independent studies. These start with a brainstorming session, then a 2-page statement of what you are planning to do. We'll have weekly meetings and/or emailed status reports, a final 6-8 page research paper-style report, and a final presentation.
- Funding isn't immediate. I prefer to offer RAs after I've already worked with you (in independent study, class, or group meetings).
- Master's students are not usually funded via research assistantships.
- I don't offer TA-ships; that's departmental.
- YMMV: Every point on this list is somewhat flexible.
During our meeting I will ask two big questions; think about these beforehand:
What I'll Ask You
I'm actively seeking students who are interested in robotics, machine learning, and natural language processing. You don't have to be interested in all of those things, but it's a good idea to look over the lab's research areas and papers and figure out what we're doing that's most interesting.Why THIS lab?
What are your goals? What do you want to do?
Ph.D., Master's, and Undergraduate
I'm always aiming to have a couple of undergraduates, a few masters students, and 5-6 full-time Ph.D. students. There's room for you! Especially PhD students. ;-)
Okay, I want to know more!
After reading the above, schedule a 15-minute meeting with me. You can only schedule two weeks out, so if I'm not showing availability, just try again later.
The IRAL lab has four faculty members. You may wish to contact Drs. Ferraro, Engel, or Raff as well as talking to me.
If you've done research work before, or if we've met at a conference, or someone pointed you towards me, or something, you can email me for more about UMBC and to tell me about yourself and why I should look out for your application. Please don't send me a resume. Just tell me how our interests overlap and why you're interested in my lab and work. Basically, answer the questions above.
http://www.csee.umbc.edu/programs/graduate/computer-science-m-s-ph-d/
http://www.umbc.edu/gradschool/admissions/apply.php
And one small piece of advice...
If you send me this email:
Prospective UMBC students
Like many schools, we do graduate student admittance at the department level; individual lab groups do not admit students. I definitely encourage you to apply for the program, but an admissions committee makes final decisions, not me. Group membership is usually decided after admittance, and I don't generally offer funding until after I've worked with you in some capacity (see funding isn't immediate, above). I have no say in TA decisions, not even for my own classes.
To apply:
Dear Professor, I have read your web page and I am very interested in your work on Artificial intelligence and robotics and language. I have studied [...] at [...] with GPA [...] and have skills with C, C++, and HTML. I am sure I would be very successful in the IRAL lab under your supervision.
I will not be impressed. Please take the time to tell me your reasons for interest in IRAL specifically and what you think you might do here.