Applying for PhD - papers needed?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the necessity of having research papers when applying for a PhD program in engineering, particularly software engineering. Participants share their experiences and perspectives on the importance of publication in the application process.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses concern about applying for a PhD without any research papers, despite having done research.
  • Another participant asserts that the belief that one must be published to apply for a PhD is a myth.
  • A third participant shares a document from a talk by Mor Harchol-Balter, suggesting it contains useful information relevant to the discussion.
  • Some participants emphasize that undergraduate publications are often heavily guided by professors and may not hold as much weight as commonly believed.
  • There is a general sentiment that having conducted research is valuable, even without formal publications.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally disagree on the necessity of having published papers for PhD applications, with some asserting it is not essential while others express concern about lacking publications.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the weight of undergraduate research publications and their impact on PhD applications remain unresolved. The discussion does not clarify the specific expectations of different programs or institutions regarding publication.

IttyBittyBit
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I have a bachelor's in math and I'm doing a graduate diploma in engineering science (just a year of advanced coursework, similar to the first year of a master's degree) at the university of Auckland. My grades are pretty good (I got straight A's last semester, and I hope to get just a well this semester), so I'm thinking of applying for a PhD in engineering - preferably software engineering - but I heard that you need to have had some research papers under your belt. So I'm a bit intimidated. I have done plenty of research, but none of it has resulting in papers. I could have submitted a conference paper perhaps, but at the time I didn't think it was worth it.
So guys, based on your personal experience, would a professor be willing to work with someone with exactly 0 research papers so far?
 
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Yes.

This "you must be published" is a myth.
 
I've uploaded a file, it is a talk given by Mor Harchol-Balter, School of Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon University. You will find the whole stuff very useful. Regarding your question, you will find it's answer in section 3.4 of this document!
 

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doodle_sack said:
I've uploaded a file, it is a talk given by Mor Harchol-Balter, School of Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon University. You will find the whole stuff very useful. Regarding your question, you will find it's answer in section 3.4 of this document!

Wow. If any of the information carries over to grad school in math, it's the most informative document I've seen on the subject, especially the part on personal statements.
 
Vanadium 50 said:
Yes.

This "you must be published" is a myth.

It really is, and I have no idea why it seems to be such a widely held belief between undergraduates. Even if you do publish something at undergraduate, it will be guided almost entirely by professors so I don't think it's worth as much as people like to think. At best, it shows that you're doing some work outside of normal lecture duties - but the fact that you've 'done some research' already shows that.
 
Thanks for the responses guys.
doodle_sack: That answers a lot of my questions. Thanks.
 
doodle_sack said:
I've uploaded a file, it is a talk given by Mor Harchol-Balter, School of Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon University. You will find the whole stuff very useful. Regarding your question, you will find it's answer in section 3.4 of this document!

That's an impressive document, and it does indeed apply to graduate school in general.
 

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