How to Get Involved in AI at UNH
If you are already an undergraduate or graduate student at UNH
It's easy! Just stop by during my office hours, send me email, or
come to a meeting of the UNH AI group. You should definitely check out
the AI group wiki. It helps
if you've already taken an
AI course, but it's not necessary. I'm happy to suggest possible
research topics. You can get independent study credit for your
research, and there is broad support available for undergrads from
the
UROP office, both term-time and over the summer.
If you are not already an undergraduate or graduate student at UNH,
then you should apply!
If you are applying to UNH for graduate school (MS or PhD)
About UNH
UNH is a great place to be a graduate student. With no trace of bias
;), I can say that the faculty is friendly, deeply engaged with
students, and committed to world-class research; the cost of living is
very low compared to being a grad student in a large city; and the
campus is quite beautiful (did you
take the tour?). Our
department is small enough to ensure individual attention. Most
admitted students receive some kind of support.
Applying
Please apply to the university
(information
available here),
not to me. Faculty at UNH do not individually admit
students. I am happy to work with any admitted student interested in
AI once they have arrived at UNH and started taking classes. I do not
provide funding for students who have not already taken classes with
me. The department often offers TAships to strong admitted students,
often with preference towards those pursuing a PhD. Please do
not email me with general questions about applying to UNH,
financial aid, or whether I have open positions in my group. If your
application mentions my name and shows an appropriate background and
interest in AI research, it is likely that I will see your
application.
If you are interested in attending the graduate student Virtual Open
House, held each semester, please email workstudy@cs.unh.edu. Rumor
has it that the application fee will be waived for all attendees!
Other advice and tips:
- Apply early (eg, by January 1 to start in the fall). Waiting
until late in the season to apply will diminish your chances of
receiving substantial support. And if you apply by early December
(for entrance the following autumn), you can be considered for a
special fellowship.
- A strong application will be clear about your career goals, as
well as the initial steps you have already taken to prepare for this
career. This includes previous accomplishments, references to your
code projects, publications, and competitions you may have
participated in. We recommend that you outline a research direction
that you would like to pursue while enrolled in the program and
provide your thoughts on which research advisor would be the best fit
for you. Reading a professor's should give you a sense of their
interests.
- The best letters of recommendation do not only attest to your
potential, but also describe in some detail the projects you carried
out under their supervision and/or which courses you supported as a
teaching assistant, with special reference to outstanding aspects of
your work. If one of your recommendation writers knows me, feel free
to ask them to send me email to make sure I know about your
application.
- Be sure to mention any evidence you have that you are good at
computer science research.
- Please note that incomplete applications, or applications
without GRE and TOEFL results can not be considered.
- Please direct any follow-up questions to
workstudy@cs.unh.edu.
Good luck with your application! Once you have been admitted, see the
next section of this page.
If you have been admitted to UNH for graduate school (MS or PhD)
Congratulations! If you have general questions about the admissions
process, your admissions offer, or funding, please contact the
department. If you have specific questions about AI research at UNH
or if you are planning a visit to the AI group to check things out,
please feel free to contact me. I am usually happy to work with
students who are interested in AI, although for maximum productivity,
you should consider taking at least one UNH AI class first. I do not
fund students until they have a strong track record at UNH, and
usually not until after they have taken a class with me.
Wheeler Ruml
