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May 12, 2006

[Misc.] What it is like to apply to the BYU CS graduate program.

I am curious what it is like for people to apply to our program. So I am trying it out.

Path 1: start at BYU homepage


Eventually I got to the "how to apply (US applicants)" instructions


The html for their enumerated list appears to be broken, but that's ok.


I found my program deadlines and test information ok. But found that the program information page for BYU CS is just the BYU CS homepage. The "more information" link was actually a profile of the kind of people that get admitted. Anyway.


I navigated through "Graduate program" then "Admissions" to find Admissions Information. And I noted that our department server isn't exactly peppy. No problem. There was alot of text on the admissions info page. But I know most of the history that went into the page, and didn't find it overwhelming or odd. I wonder what applicants think?


It took me 5 clicks to find the deadlines, but while I was clicking "back" to go back and get the application forms, I found that the deadlines were on the program profile page. Either way.


The graduate studies webpage says "get letters from three profesors or professionals" that may be why we get so many letters from former bosses or colleagues.


Applicants do need to sign an Honor Code Commitment form and get an ecclesiastical endorsement, so there is some implied commitment to the Honor Code.

Alright, time to click on the online application..
The first thing I notice that the application form is all freaked out because I have popup blocking turned on. You bet I do, and so does everyone else. Apparently, popups are essential in the online application process. Wow. You wonder how places like ebay, expedia and other more complicated processes function without popups. Anyway, that's just me. I don't know how to turn off popus in Safari, so I followed the instructions to "please access technical support" (which is not linked to technical support, but I persevered. After entering an email address, I came to a pretty generic faq in which 135 answers were found. The number 1 question is "How do I use technical support?" Classic.


I search for "block popups on safari" Sixty seconds later, I get solid search results and get some good instructions and some useful related answers (which are listed in the form of a question, so I guess the Jeopardy! people were involved in this. Oh and I found one of Ken Jennings old CS 312 tests in a stack of papers left by another professor. The cover page included his SSN! Don't worry Ken, you did well on the test and the SSN is secure). I think I"ll leave popups enabled just to see what happens.


Now I start creating my account. My password isn't supposed to contain any symbols, like @ or !, ok whatever. I use my standard high security password. I can exclude my high security password from the confirmation email. A nice touch.
I didn't capitolize my first name (I was curious about their regexp for checking valid fields) so I get a cryptic "Make sure your response is in the correct format" There's no format, but I assume they mean capitolize your first name. So I do. Works Fine.


I even entered a Cambridge England post code for my zip code, just for old time's sake. Worked fine.


I'm in, so I start going through the detailed check list. At some point I'll need to pay a $50 application fee, that will test my resolve to test the system.


I can make my surname first or last. That's a nice internationalization touch.


I have to enter a US social security number! I wonder why. I type it in anyway. I should use my sister's (we are consecutive) but I don't.


Blah blah blah. typing in information. Religious affiliation. That's interesting. Hmm. Reorganized LDS is on the list, Campbelites are not, anyway, moving on


Now I have to find my ward in this icky search thing. The "Unit name" field must not contain the name "ward" that's odd. The search thing couldn't find "Windsor 3rd" But, searching for "Windsor" finds "Windsor 3rd" just fine. The search for my mission name is equally perplexing. No commas this time. Wow I've been home from the mission for 14 years now. I feel old.

Selecting my program of study gives me our graduate secretary's information. That's cool.


I decide to apply for Winter 2006.


MBA applicants get to select their track and other program information. Can we get our own information included on the application form? How about a "CS MS applicants only" section?


Do need to indicate a professor and reasearch area, but it's listed as optional. We'll have to add that to our own department instructions.


Wow. The MBA program has their own entire application section called "MBA essays". I'm feeling inconsequential.


And finally, the statement of intent which is explicitely not a statement of religious philosophy. Once again EMBA applicants have special instructions here.


Anway, that's probably enough for what I need to see.

I got an email from the BYU CS deparment. The name in the "from" field is empty and the email points to the generic CS page. We can put some information in that email to make the applications more effective tools for both the applicants and the admissions committee.


Posted by jones at 11:20 AM | Comments (0)

May 03, 2006

[Research] Who's who in model checking

If you want to know who's who in model checking, then simply peruse the speaker's list for the following Symposium: 25 Years of Model Checking

Hopefully nothing catastrophic will happen at this event because that would set back the field of model checking for years.

I'll be at woodbadge that week, so I can't go. I may try to switch woodbadges or send my students. We'll see.

Posted by jones at 10:33 AM | Comments (0)

May 02, 2006

[Research] Former Students

Posted by jones at 02:50 PM | Comments (0)