Seminars
Seminars occur on Tuesday afternoons in ISB 130 and run between 1:30-2:30 PM Pacific with a hybrid option over Zoom unless otherwise posted. To join the mailing list, please contact Prof. Brianne Gutmann at brianne.gutmann@sjsu.edu with the words "Seminars and Events" included in the subject heading.
This Week
Demystifying Graduate School
Alexander Englander
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Tuesday, 10/22/2024, 1:30-2:30pm Pacific
Abstract: The thought of attending graduate school causes considerable consternation among students and their loved ones. The process of researching graduate programs alone is stressful, and that's before a single pixel has been put to a monitor. The application process can and probably has led some students to question many life decisions. This presentation is designed to take some of that stress away. During this program, students will be walked through how to search for and how to the graduate program that is right for them. They will learn best practices for completing an application for admission: What is required? What is optional? The best way to contact faculty, and more. There will also be several case studies where we discuss actual students and their outcomes. At the conclusion of this program, students will be prepared to apply, not just to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) but to most grad school programs within the United States. Finally, students will also be informed about Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, the programs we offer and exciting developments taking place on campus. To register in for this talk for an application fee waiver to RPI, please go to https://apply.rpi.edu/register/SJSUFall2024.
Bio: A native of Albany, NY, Alexander Englander, MA is the Assistant Director of Graduate Admissions at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. His work focuses on the recruitment of well-qualified students to RPI’s 40 plus graduate programs. In addition, he manages outreach efforts for the Institute’s School of Science and spearheads the Office of Graduate Admissions international recruitment efforts. Prior to joining RPI, Alex was Assistant Director of Graduate Admissions and Enrollment at Clarkson University, where he was in charge of recruitment and outreach for the university’s Master of Arts in Teaching program along with 14 science and engineering PhD research programs. Alex holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English, Secondary Education, and a Master of Arts Degree in Communications, both earned from The College of Saint Rose. His master’s Thesis was titled: "Analysis of Negative Campaign Ads in the 2012 Presidential Election Using the Sleeper Effect and Functional Theory." In his spare time, he enjoys plane spotting, photography, traveling, going to the theater, and spending time with family. He lives in Albany, NY with his husband of eleven years, Nick, and their three cats: Frankie, Lady Sybil, and George. Alex is a proud member of NAGAP and NYGAP; GMAC, the Graduate Management Admissions Counsel, and NAFSA, the National Association of Foreign Student Advisers.
