Georgia Institute of Technology Materials Science and Engineering

As you’re about to begin your Senior Year there are important things to consider and processes to complete.  Here is a list of items you need to know/do during your Senior Year.

1. Apply to Graduate
2. Apply to Graduate School (If that’s your path)
3. Begin Full-Time Job search (Get aggressive towards end of Fall semester to Early January
4. Prepare for Commencement (Make sure everything is in order)

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Apply to Graduate

• To officially graduate from Georgia Tech, you must apply to graduate using the on-line application (OAG) system maintained by the registrar’s office.
• Georgia Tech will not let you graduate without applying to graduate.  If you forget to apply, then you will need to graduate during a later semester.
• Due Dates:  You must apply to graduate the semester prior to graduation.  Deadlines vary and can be found at:  www.registrar.gatech.edu/students/deginfo/dcprocess.php
• Apply to Graduate Instructions & Graduation Procedures:  http://www.mse.gatech.edu/undergraduate-program/undergraduate-handbook/readmission-graduation-requirements-procedures

Graduate School

• Before Applying
  • Decide what major and area of specialization you are interested in.
  • Create a list of potential graduate schools which you are interested in applying to.
  • Look up the requirements and the programs available at each school.  Ex:  deadlines, requirements, etc.
  • Verify what semesters they will accept new students.  Many schools only accept students in the fall semester.
  • Determine if any entrance exam is required.  For engineering, the GRE is usually required.  For an MBA the GMAT is usually required.
  • Doing undergraduate research is a great way to enhance your application.  We strongly recommend this for students going to graduate school.  http://www.mse.gatech.edu/undergraduate-program/research. 
  • Application – Each application is unique.  However, most applications require:
    • Transcript to show your overall GPA
    • GRE Scores (register for the GRE at www.gre.org)
    • Essay or biosketch
    • Recommendation Letters (usually at least 3 letters of recommendation are required)
    • MS/PhD intent
    • Research area or your interest area
  • Funding for Graduate School – Generally application deadlines are earlier if you are applying for funding and an additional application may be required.  Several types of funding exist.  The main types of funding are Fellowships, Graduate Research Assistantships (GRA) and Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTA).
    • Funding Information for GA. Tech:   http://www.gradadmiss.gatech.edu/paying-for-grad-school
    • Fellowships – Top students are encouraged to apply for fellowships.  The website below has resources about Fellowships both at Georgia Tech and outside Georgia Tech:

1. http://www.fellowships.gatech.edu/

2. http://www.finaid.gatech.edu/graduate

Full-Time Job Search

• Searching for a full-time job can be a very time consuming task.  Do not underestimate the time it takes!

• When to Begin Your Job Search:
  • Students should begin their job search two semesters prior to graduation.
    • Example:  Students graduating in the Spring should start looking the beginning of fall semester.
    • Summer Graduation Exception:  Students graduating in the summer should start in the fall.
  • Preparing for Your Job Search
    • Workshops – Career Services offers workshops during all semesters about job search strategies, resume writing, networking, etc.  This will get you started in your job search.
      • A current workshop listing is at:  http://www.careerservices.gatech.edu/plugins/content/index.php?id=444
      • General job search Advice can be found here: http://career.gatech.edu/pages/employer_info_sessions.php
      • Updated Employer Information Sessions can be found here: http://career.gatech.edu/pages/employer_info_sessions.php

• Resumes
  • Resume Writing Workshops:  http://career.gatech.edu/plugins/content/index.php?id=452
  • Resume & Cover Letter Writing Help:  http://career.gatech.edu/plugins/content/index.php?id=81
  • Resume Walk-In Resume Help:  http://career.gatech.edu/plugins/content/index.php?id=34
  • Career Services Library – The Career Services Library contains resources on topics such as careers, resumes, cover letters, networking, interviewing, and job searching:  http://career.gatech.edu/plugins/library/
  • Resume Blitz – Every fall semester (usually the 2^nd or 3^rd week of school) Career Services organizes a Resume Blitz.  Human Resources reps and engineers from companies come in and evaluate resumes.
  • Practice Interviews – It is strongly recommended that students go through sample interviews prior to official interviews.  Career services offer practice interviews.
    • Interview Help:  http://career.gatech.edu/plugins/content/index.php?id=59
    • Practice Interviews:  http://www.career.gatech.edu/plugins/content/index.php?id=447
    •  
    • Salary Information – You can view salary and placement information for students who graduated in previous semesters.  http://www.adors.gatech.edu/commencement/salary_report.cfm
  • Starting your Full-Time Job Search
    • Employer Information Sessions – Employers who are coming to Georgia Tech usually offer information sessions.  If  you are interested in a particular company, you should attend these information sessions.  Always be prepared with a resume when attending an information session.
      • Current Employer Information Sessions:  http://career.gatech.edu/pages/employer_info_sessions.php
      • Employer Profiles:  http://career.gatech.edu/plugins/employer_profile/
      • Job Listings
        • Georgia Tech Job Listings – Employers who are coming to campus or looking specifically for Georgia Tech students use CareerBuzz.  On CareerBuzz you can submit your resume to companies, sign up for interviews & apply for jobs.  Info. Is at: 
        • http://career.gatech.edu/plugins/content/index.php?id=241
        • External Job Listings – You should not just rely on Georgia Tech to find a job.  Websites outside of Georgia Tech can be found at: http://career.gatech.edu/plugins/content/index.php?id=98
        • Location Specific Jobs – Students looking for jobs in particular geographical locations can use the chamber of commerce websites to see company listings in an area, www.chamberfind.com.
        • Departmental E-mails – Some companies contact the department directly about full-time jobs.  These will be e-mailed directly to the students.
      • Career Fairs
        • Fall Career Fair:  This is the main career fair for current students.  It is usually held the Monday and Tuesday after Labor Day.  Several weeks before the career fair, a list of attending companies is posted on the web.  Business attire is required for career fairs.  http://career.gatech.edu/pages/careerfairs.php
        • Alumni Career Fair:  The Alumni association has a career fair every spring.  This is mainly targeted at alumni, but graduating seniors are also allowed to attend. http://gtalumni.org/
        • Departmental Career Fairs:  Many departments offer career fairs throughout the year.  Pay attention to emails from your advisors and on-campus advertising to find out these dates.
        • NSBE Career Fair:  Every January, the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) sponsors a career fair in the spring.  All students are welcome.  More information is at:  www.gtsbe.org
        • Virtual Career Fairs:  Several virtual career fairs are held during the year:  www.gatech.careereco.net
        • Additional Career Fairs:  For more info, see:  http://career.gatech.edu/pages/careerfairs.php

• Commencement
  • Commencement Information:  www.gatech.edu/commencement/
  • Diplomas:  www.gatech.edu/commencement/diplomas
  • Caps and Gowns:  www.gatech.edu/commencement/academic-regalia
  • Information for Parents:  www.gatech.edu/commencement/parent-visitor-information
  • Other Information
    • Honors Information:  http://www.registrar.gatech.edu/students/deanslist.php
    • Graduating Senior FAQ’s:  www.registrar.gatech.edu/students/deginfo/degcandfaq.php

Transcripts – Students can order transcripts with their degree listed on it the Friday after Commencement.  Instructions:  www.registrar.gatech.edu/students/formlanding/transcript.php