Hey there! Welcome to PhD Central, a project I’ve put together to help students like you who are on the path to a PhD in Computer Science and Engineering. Whether you’re looking for summer research programs or gearing up for grad school applications, I’ve gathered all the best resources in one place to make your journey a little smoother. So feel free to explore, and I hope you find something that helps you on your way!
I wanted to create a space where students can easily find information about research opportunities, fellowships, conferences, and more, all in one central hub. From summer programs to PhD application advice, everything you need is here to help you take that next step in your academic career.
I’ve collected some of the top summer research programs in the U.S. These programs are a great way to gain experience, build your CV, and strengthen your grad school applications.
| University / Program | Link |
|---|---|
| Rutgers REU | REU at Rutgers |
| MIT MSRP | MSRP at MIT |
| Carnegie Mellon HCII | HCII Summer Research |
| UC Berkeley SUPERB | SUPERB at UC Berkeley |
| Georgia Tech SURE | SURE at Georgia Tech |
| Princeton Summer Research | Princeton Research |
| ... and many more! | - |
Feel free to explore even more programs here.
I also found some great international programs that offer a global perspective on research. Participating in one of these could really help broaden your academic experience and make your PhD application stand out.
| Program | Link |
|---|---|
| ETH Zurich Summer Research Fellowship | ETH Zurich |
| Ellison Scholars Program | Ellison Scholars |
Applying for a PhD can feel overwhelming, so I’ve gathered some helpful resources to guide you through the process. From choosing the right school to writing your personal statement, these links should cover all your bases.
- College Scorecard – Compare schools and find the right fit for your goals.
- ResearchGate – Check out potential advisors and their research.
- PhD Statement of Purpose Guide – Craft a strong statement of purpose.
- Writing a Winning CV – Tips for building a solid academic CV.
- GRE: Official GRE Site
- TOEFL (for international students): TOEFL Guide
- How to Prepare for a PhD Interview – Learn what to expect and how to prepare.
Funding can be one of the most stressful parts of grad school, so I’ve pulled together some of the best fellowships for CS and Engineering students. These fellowships provide financial support that can make a huge difference in your PhD journey.
| Fellowship / Program | Link |
|---|---|
| NSF Graduate Research Fellowship | NSF GRFP |
| Hertz Foundation Fellowship | Hertz Fellowship |
| Soros Fellowship for New Americans | Soros Fellowship |
| ... and more! | - |
Check out more funding sources here.
I also love competitions as a fun way to challenge yourself and improve your coding and problem-solving skills. Plus, it’s a great way to strengthen your application. Below are some competitions and hackathons I found that you might want to check out.
| Competition | Link |
|---|---|
| ACM ICPC (International Collegiate Programming Contest) | ACM ICPC |
| Meta Hacker Cup | Meta Hacker Cup |
| Codechef Snackdown | Codechef Snackdown |
| Topcoder Open | Topcoder Open |
| IEEE Xtreme | IEEE Xtreme |
Conferences are an awesome opportunity to meet people in your field, present your work, and connect with future collaborators. I’ve listed a few below that are great for undergraduates and grad students.
| Conference | Link |
|---|---|
| Tapia Conference | Tapia Conference |
| NCUR (National Conference on Undergraduate Research) | NCUR Conference |
| Grace Hopper Celebration | Grace Hopper |
Honors and thesis programs can really help you stand out in your grad school applications. I’ve listed a couple of key ones here that might interest you.
| Program | Link |
|---|---|
| Rutgers Thesis Program | Thesis Program at Rutgers |
| William Lowell Putnam Competition | Putnam Math Competition |
I know that preparing for grad school can be daunting, so here are some helpful resources that I found to get you ready for the application process and help you thrive once you’re in.
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| PhD Advice Subreddit | PhD Subreddit |
| How to Choose the Right PhD Program | PhD Portal |
| Finding Research Labs | Find Labs |
| Grad School Tips Blog | Blog |
I’ve got even more resources here for you to explore! These links can help you find more research opportunities, scholarships, or general academic advice.
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| NSF REU Database | NSF REU Database |
| Research Internships for Undergraduates | Internships on GitHub |
| College Scorecard | College Scorecard |
| ResearchGate | ResearchGate |
That’s it! I hope this repository helps you find everything you need to get closer to your PhD goals. Feel free to dive into the resources, explore new opportunities, and if you think there’s something I missed or want to contribute, go ahead and add your suggestions. Good luck, and happy researching! 🎉🚀