mihai surdeanu
mihai AT surdeanu DOT info / msurdeanu AT arizona DOT edu


For Prospective PhD Students

Why?

Are you sure you want to pursue a PhD? See why a PhD may or may not be a good choice for you:

How?

So, you are sure you want to go for it. See this classic talk for how to plan your PhD:
How to Have a Bad Career in Research/Academia Pre-PhD and Post-PhD, by David Patterson,

and then read this book for more career advice:
A PhD Is Not Enough!, by Peter Feibelman.

"Selling" It

A major part of your PhD is presenting your work in scientific publications, and talking about it at conferences or job talks. For the former, read this excellent article by Gopen and Swan, followed by Cormac McCarthy's tips on how to write a great science paper. and, optionally, Strunk and White's classic. For the latter, if you are not confident about speaking in public, take any chance you can to do it. Is there a Toastmasters Club or similar organization in your area? Join it!

FAQ

I am discussing other issues about doing a PhD with me in this FAQ.