Re: [vox] OT: Questions on Application to Graduate programs...

["Robert G. Scofield" <rMAPSscofield@afes.com>]

I both agree with and disagree with the responses so far, but my field is 
neither CS nor physics.  My field is philosophy and law.

I see things differently from Pete as to name and reputation.  I think that 
the University of California is overrated as far as undergraduate education 
is concerned.  As far as a Ph.D is concerned for many programs, if not all or 
most, a degree from Berkeley is very valuable as far as getting a teaching 
job.  Now it may be that a Berkeley Ph.D is overvalued, but the fact is that 
is a good ticket to finding a teaching job.


There are also a lot of distractions in Berkeley that might make it difficult 
to keep one's mind on one's work.

I did the Stanley Kaplan course to prepare for the GRE, and I did a do it 
yourself book for the LSAT.  Seeing how I was in Vietnam when I studied for 
and took the LSAT, there was not much more I could do.  For me, the book was 
a disaster.  I focused on the stuff I was poorest at, and that stuff was not 
even on the exam.

I agree with Nicole that practice on the logic games helps.  However, you may 
reach a point of diminishing returns where you hit your limit of ability on 
logic games, and no more practice helps.

I do not know how important the Statement of Purpose is in CS, but it can be 
very important in some programs.  If I were trying to get into graduate 
school, I would seek out help from someone in the academic establishment on 
the Statement of Purpose.

Bob

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