Considering Graduate Study
A major in Computer Science or Computer Science and Engineering provides the solid background needed for graduate study. Many of our recent graduates have been accepted to prestigious graduate programs, including UC Davis, which offers an integrated Bachelors/Master's program. Graduate school is advantageous for students interested in positions of a higher level of creativity, responsibility, and salary in industry or academia. Graduate study is a prerequisite for a career in academia.
Graduate study is a "different world" from undergraduate study. It involves more than simply taking more courses. The students and the professors are partners in research aimed at extending the current "state-of-the-art". This changes the students' outlook on the field completely. It produces a feeling of confidence, especially when research papers are published, since the student has made a contribution to the world.
There is a financial contrast between undergraduate and graduate study. While undergraduates typically pay to go to school, graduate students are often paid to go to school. Financial support takes the form of fellowships and research or teaching assistantships which are awarded on merit rather than financial need. The vast majority of UC Davis graduate students in CS receive such awards.
For admission to graduate school, applicants are required to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), obtain letters of recommendation, and complete application forms. Many schools require that all application materials for students applying for fellowships or assistantships be submitted by mid-December or early January. Consequently, the student should begin the application process early in the fall.
Students interested in attending graduate school should consult a faculty adviser regarding information on course selection and graduate programs.