We salute our Associate Dean of the Graduate School, Dr. Robert Deluty on the publication of his 45th book: "Gifts in Disguise." 

This morning, Dr. Wendy Carter-Veale opened the Summer 2014 Dissertation House at UMBC with a story about her own dissertation process. She said that part of the motivation for her current passion as a “Dissertation Coach” is that the research content should be the challenge; the dissertation PROCESS should not be the challenge. The PROMISE Dissertation Houses help graduate students through the process. We do not write students’ dissertations, we do not edit students’ dissertations. We do provide coaching and advice, and we do eliminate the mystery behind the process of PhD completion. You still have to work with your advisor and your committee. You still have to work within the rules and regulations of your academic department. However, the Dissertation House can help you with interpreting some of those nuances that accompany the dissertation process.

We understand that everyone can’t join us in person, but we invite you to join us online:

https://dissertationhouse.wordpress.com/blog-online-challenge/summer-2014-challenge/

This morning, Dr. Wendy Carter-Veale opened the Summer 2014 Dissertation House at UMBC with a story about her own dissertation process. She said that part of the motivation for her current passion as a “Dissertation Coach” is that the research content should be the challenge; the dissertation PROCESS should not be the challenge. The PROMISE Dissertation Houses help graduate students through the process. We do not write students’ dissertations, we do not edit students’ dissertations. We do provide coaching and advice, and we do eliminate the mystery behind the process of PhD completion. You still have to work with your advisor and your committee. You still have to work within the rules and regulations of your academic department. However, the Dissertation House can help you with interpreting some of those nuances that accompany the dissertation process.

We understand that everyone can’t join us in person, but we invite you to join us online:

http://dissertationhouse.wordpress.com/blog-online-challenge/summer-2014-challenge/

Are you planning to work on your dissertation this weekend? Take at least a brief break to enjoy the holiday before you get back to work. Our in-person Summer 2014 Dissertation Houses will be at UMBC, College Park, and at the PROMISE Summer Success Institute at the Hotel at Arundel Preserve. However, you can join us online! Go to the Summer 2014 Challenge page, and post your goals. We’ll see you there!

Are you planning to work on your dissertation this weekend? Take at least a brief break to enjoy the holiday before you get back to work. Our in-person Summer 2014 Dissertation Houses will be at UMBC, College Park, and at the PROMISE Summer Success Institute at the Hotel at Arundel Preserve. However, you can join us online! Go to the Summer 2014 Challenge page, and post your goals. We’ll see you there!

Students at the University of Maryland College Park, your chance to attend a Dissertation House is here!

The on-campus setting provides Dissertation House participants with productive and rewarding scholastic engagement. Students who participate in this program will spend each day thinking, writing, and sharing ideas about their doctoral dissertations. Students will learn effective time-management skills, learn how to set small manageable goals, and meet with a dissertation coach in one-on-one consultations to discuss and address obstacles that might prevent them from completing their degrees.

This is a Tuesday – Friday  (9 a.m. – 5 p.m., non-residential) commitment to focus on the doctoral dissertation. TheDissertation House activities focus on areas where students typically have difficulty: conceptualizing a topic, writing a literature review, transitioning from a proposal to a dissertation, analyzing data, writing the last chapter, and editing.

To apply to attend the Summer 2014 Dissertation House at College Park, submit a brief description (maximum 2 pages, font size 11-12 point, 1-inch margins) that describes the project that you wish to accomplish during the Dissertation House period. Please use the following guidelines: (i) Summary of the project, including research question(s), data or texts, and method; (ii)Amount completed on the project to date; and (iii) Any obstacles that you are encountering that hinder completion of the dissertation. Include the following header information with the description:

• Name / Address / Telephone numbers (home, office, and fax) / E-mail address
• Academic Program and Year in the program
• Expected date of doctoral degree completion

Dates/Location: July 15-18, 2014, Stamp Student Union, University of Maryland, College Park. Lunch and snacks will be provided daily.

Application Period: Thursday, May 22, 2014 – Thursday, June 19, 2014. Email applications to amperez@umd.edu   Please use the words “Dissertation House” in the subject line of your email.

Selection Process: Sixteen participants will be selected for participation in the Dissertation House. The following applicants will have priority: (i) Applicants who plan to finish the Ph.D. in 2014; (ii) Individuals who are working on dissertations and theses rather than a proposal; (iii) Applicants who submit earliest; and (iv) Individuals who appear most able to benefit from the services offered at the Dissertation House.

If your application is accepted, you will receive an acceptance notice via email and additional details about the Dissertation House.

_____________________________________________

 The Dissertation House at College Park is for graduate students of any discipline at the University of Maryland College Park. If you are a graduate student (in any discipline) at UMBC, please apply for the Dissertation House at UMBC: http://dissertationhouse.wordpress.com/2014/05/18/the-summer-dissertation-house-at-umbc-begins-in-july-applications-are-being-accepted-now/. Graduate students in STEM fields at other school within the USM will have an opportunity to participate in the Dissertation House at the PROMISE Summer Success Institute in August 2014.

Students at the University of Maryland College Park, your chance to attend a Dissertation House is here!

The on-campus setting provides Dissertation House participants with productive and rewarding scholastic engagement. Students who participate in this program will spend each day thinking, writing, and sharing ideas about their doctoral dissertations. Students will learn effective time-management skills, learn how to set small manageable goals, and meet with a dissertation coach in one-on-one consultations to discuss and address obstacles that might prevent them from completing their degrees.

This is a Tuesday – Friday  (9 a.m. – 5 p.m., non-residential) commitment to focus on the doctoral dissertation. TheDissertation House activities focus on areas where students typically have difficulty: conceptualizing a topic, writing a literature review, transitioning from a proposal to a dissertation, analyzing data, writing the last chapter, and editing.

To apply to attend the Summer 2014 Dissertation House at College Park, submit a brief description (maximum 2 pages, font size 11-12 point, 1-inch margins) that describes the project that you wish to accomplish during the Dissertation House period. Please use the following guidelines: (i) Summary of the project, including research question(s), data or texts, and method; (ii)Amount completed on the project to date; and (iii) Any obstacles that you are encountering that hinder completion of the dissertation. Include the following header information with the description:

• Name / Address / Telephone numbers (home, office, and fax) / E-mail address
• Academic Program and Year in the program
• Expected date of doctoral degree completion

Dates/Location: July 15-18, 2014, Stamp Student Union, University of Maryland, College Park. Lunch and snacks will be provided daily.

Application Period: Thursday, May 22, 2014 – Thursday, June 19, 2014. Email applications to amperez@umd.edu   Please use the words “Dissertation House” in the subject line of your email.

Selection Process: Sixteen participants will be selected for participation in the Dissertation House. The following applicants will have priority: (i) Applicants who plan to finish the Ph.D. in 2014; (ii) Individuals who are working on dissertations and theses rather than a proposal; (iii) Applicants who submit earliest; and (iv) Individuals who appear most able to benefit from the services offered at the Dissertation House.

If your application is accepted, you will receive an acceptance notice via email and additional details about the Dissertation House.

_____________________________________________

 The Dissertation House at College Park is for graduate students of any discipline at the University of Maryland College Park. If you are a graduate student (in any discipline) at UMBC, please apply for the Dissertation House at UMBC: https://dissertationhouse.wordpress.com/2014/05/18/the-summer-dissertation-house-at-umbc-begins-in-july-applications-are-being-accepted-now/. Graduate students in STEM fields at other school within the USM will have an opportunity to participate in the Dissertation House at the PROMISE Summer Success Institute in August 2014.

The Summer Dissertation House is coming to UMBC, July 8-11. Graduate students who plan to participate should follow the application procedures on the application webpage for the Dissertation House.

Open application period: Early bird May 12, 2014 – May 23, 2014. Late registration May 24, 2014 – May 31, 2014 (Applications received during the early bird period will have priority)

(Please note that there are only 15 to 18 slots for this event, consider applying early) 

Applications received after May 31, 2014 will be considered for the DH waiting list. More information about the Dissertation House: https://dissertationhouse.wordpress.com/about/

• The Dissertation House runs from 9 AM – 5PM, for four days, Tuesday, July 8 through Friday, July 11.
• Students must plan to attend the full session, for each of the 4 days. 
• Daily schedule includes 2 mini-lectures, and 5 hours of writing per day.
• Breakfast, Lunch, and a snack will be served daily.
• The July 8-11, 2014 Dissertation House is only available to UMBC’s graduate students.
• This version of the Dissertation House is open to all graduate students, in all disciplines.
• There are 15 to 18 spaces available for the Dissertation House. 
• Details regarding eligibility can be found on the application page of the website for the Dissertation House.
• Subscribe to the website: http://www.thedissertationhouse.com

Read about The Dissertation House in UMBC’s Alumni Magazine: Byrne, R.  (2011, Fall) “The Write Stuff”, UMBC Magazine. p. 12

Please login to MyUMBC, click “I can attend” here: http://my.umbc.edu/groups/promise/events/23911 , *AND* follow the 
application procedures on the main website for the Dissertation House: https://dissertationhouse.wordpress.com/apply/

There will be another Dissertation House at College Park, for students at UMCP, in mid-July. In August, we will hold a consolidated, marathon version Dissertation House for STEM graduate students of the USM, during the PROMISE Summer Success Institute.

The Dissertation Houses are co-sponsored by PROMISE AGEP: Maryland Transformation (an AGEP-T project), The Graduate School at UMBC, and The Graduate School at The University of Maryland College Park.

Photo credit: pixabay.com, “PublicDomainPictures”

The Summer Dissertation House is coming to UMBC, July 8-11. Graduate students who plan to participate should follow the application procedures on the application webpage for the Dissertation House.

Open application period: Early bird May 12, 2014 – May 23, 2014. Late registration May 24, 2014 – May 31, 2014 (Applications received during the early bird period will have priority)

(Please note that there are only 15 to 18 slots for this event, consider applying early) 

Applications received after May 31, 2014 will be considered for the DH waiting list. More information about the Dissertation House: http://dissertationhouse.wordpress.com/about/

• The Dissertation House runs from 9 AM – 5PM, for four days, Tuesday, July 8 through Friday, July 11.
• Students must plan to attend the full session, for each of the 4 days. 
• Daily schedule includes 2 mini-lectures, and 5 hours of writing per day.
• Breakfast, Lunch, and a snack will be served daily.
• The July 8-11, 2014 Dissertation House is only available to UMBC’s graduate students.
• This version of the Dissertation House is open to all graduate students, in all disciplines.
• There are 15 to 18 spaces available for the Dissertation House. 
• Details regarding eligibility can be found on the application page of the website for the Dissertation House.
• Subscribe to the website: http://www.thedissertationhouse.com

Read about The Dissertation House in UMBC’s Alumni Magazine: Byrne, R.  (2011, Fall) “The Write Stuff”, UMBC Magazine. p. 12

Please login to MyUMBC, click “I can attend” here: http://my.umbc.edu/groups/promise/events/23911 , *AND* follow the 
application procedures on the main website for the Dissertation House: http://dissertationhouse.wordpress.com/apply/

There will be another Dissertation House at College Park, for students at UMCP, in mid-July. In August, we will hold a consolidated, marathon version Dissertation House for STEM graduate students of the USM, during the PROMISE Summer Success Institute.

The Dissertation Houses are co-sponsored by PROMISE AGEP: Maryland Transformation (an AGEP-T project), The Graduate School at UMBC, and The Graduate School at The University of Maryland College Park.

Photo credit: pixabay.com, “PublicDomainPictures”

UMBC will host the annual Summer Horizons program for undergraduate students and others who are interested in learning more about graduate school admission, particularly in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields. The 2.5-hour workshop will feature sessions on the application timeline, GRE, Statement of Purpose, Recommendation Letters, and other topics related to preparing for graduate school.  There will be a panel hosted by current graduate students, and the keynote speaker will be the President of UMBC, Dr. Freeman A. Hrabowski, III.  (Read about Dr. Hrabowski in Time Magazine: 10 Best College Presidents, World’s 100 Most Influential People. See Dr. Hrabowski talk about UMBC on 60 Minutes. Watch Dr. Hrabowski’s  TED Talk 2013.) Summer Horizons is co-sponsored by PROMISE AGEP and the Meyerhoff Graduate Biomedical Fellows Program.

2014 Summer Horizons Program

• Wednesday, July 9, 2014
• The 2014 program will begin at 9:30 AM and will end at 12 noon. (Registration and Seating will begin at 9:00)
• Sports Zone, The Commons 2nd Floor, UMBC (University of Maryland, Baltimore County)
• This event is FREE to the public. 

AGENDA:

9:00

• Registration and Seating (Light breakfast refreshments)

9:30 – 9:40

• Welcome & Greetings
  • Justine Johnson, Associate Director, Meyerhoff Graduate Fellows Program
  •  Jesse Fox, Vice President for External Affairs, Executive Board, UMBC Graduate Student Association

9:40 – 10:00

• Information on admissions: “Preparing for Graduate School: Timelines and Choices.”
  • K. Jill Barr, Senior Assistant Dean for Graduate Enrollment Management, The Graduate School
  • Gay Warshaw, Recruitment and Admissions

10:00 – 10:45

• Funding and Elements of the Graduate School Application (GRE, Statement of Purpose, Letters)
  • Renetta G. Tull, Associate Vice Provost for Graduate Student Development & Postdoctoral Affairs, Director of PROMISE: Maryland’s Alliance for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (AGEP)

10:45 – 11:15

• Graduate School Perspectives: A Panel of current M.S. and Ph.D. scholars
  • Timothy Munuhe  – Mechanical Engineering
  • Brittny Davis – Chemistry
  • Adeboyeaga (Ade) Akinsiku -Human-Centered Computing
  • Tahira Mahdi – Psychology
  • Natasha Wilson – Chemical Engineering

11:15 – 11:45

• Introduction of the Speaker: Dr. Janet C. Rutledge, Vice Provost for Graduate Education and Dean of the Graduate School, Associate Professor of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering

 

• Keynote Address: President Freeman A. Hrabowski

11:45 AM

• Evaluations and Adjourn

12:00 PM

• Lunch

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The 2014 Summer Horizons program is open to anyone who is interested in learning more about UMBC and the graduate admissions process.  The graduate school preparation material that we will present  is applicable to most U.S. institutions.  Faculty and staff may invite prospective students to this event.  Visitors from out-of-town are welcome to attend.

Invitations are  extended to:

• All UMBC undergraduate students
• As part of the PROMISE Pathways project, undergraduate and master’s students  from schools within the University System of Maryland (USM) have a special invitation to attend
•  Students from all summer programs within the DC/Maryland/Virginia (DMV) region
• Students from NSF programs such as LSAMP, AGEP, NSF ERC, RDE etc., at any school
• McNair programs at any school.
• Students from organizations such as SHPE, SACNAS, NSBE, and AISES at any school in the country are welcome to attend.
• Students from any college or university, who are either local or will travel the distance to learn more about graduate school.
• We also invite professionals who are considering returning to graduate school for an advanced degree.

 

This program is free, but participants must register.

Summer Horizons is co-sponsored by PROMISE: Maryland’s AGEP, The Meyerhoff Graduate Biomedical Fellows Program, and The Graduate School at UMBC.

 

For additional resources, including access to funding opportunities: Please visit the Institute for Broadening Participation’s website,  “Pathways to Science,”  and fill out the form in the left corner:  http://www.pathwaystoscience.org/. The website has information on a variety of opportunities, which include as an example, a wealth of information on funding and internships through NASA:  http://www.pathwaystoscience.org/nasa.aspx. Our student participants have taken advantage of this resource in the past, and several have had offers for great opportunities.

_________________________________________________________________________

Directions and Parking: 

http://about.umbc.edu/visitors-guide/directions/

Metered visitor parking is available in the Commons Garage. To get to the Commons Garage, circle around Hilltop Circle (either direction) until you reach Commons Drive. Take Commons Drive toward the center for campus. The garage will be on your left. Meter fees are $.25 for each 15 minutes, quarters only, maximum time of 5 hours.

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• UMBC President Named In Time Magazine’s Top 100 Most Influential People (baltimore.cbslocal.com)
• Reading material: Tull, R. G., Nino, M.  and Ramoutar, N. (2012).  Preparing for Engineering and Other STEM Graduate/Post-Graduate Masters and Doctoral Programs.  [Spanish Version of Section 4 here: Preparación para Programas de Maestría y Doctorado]

_________________________________________________________________________

Partial sponsorship for this program has been provided by the National Science Foundation, Collaborative Research: AGEP – T: PROMISE AGEP Maryland Transformation # 1309290,   PROMISE: Maryland’s Alliance for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (AGEP).  Read more about PROMISE:  https://promiseagep.wordpress.com/publications/

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