On May 8, a study abroad information session was held for students interested in pursuing graduate studies in the US. The session is an annual event organized voluntarily by KAIST students who got accepted to overseas graduate schools. This year’s session was successfully arranged by Da-Dam Kang, a prospective PhD candidate at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The event took place at the Creative Learning Building (E11), with an option for online participation via Zoom. The session aimed to provide valuable insights and advice to undergraduate and graduate students at KAIST preparing for graduate school applications to the US for the Fall 2023 semester or considering studying abroad in the future.

The speakers at the event included KAIST alumni who were set to begin their PhD programs at prestigious US universities such as MIT, Johns Hopkins University, Georgia Institute of Technology, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), and University of Colorado Boulder in the upcoming Fall semester. The presentations covered various aspects of the graduate school application process, including essential documents for submission, scholarship opportunities, interview experiences, and recommended activities prior to applying. The alumni also shared tips on studying for required tests such as Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) and TOEFL, and addressed resolving military service obligations for male students in particular.

Among the speakers were Da-Dam Kang, who shared tips for writing curriculum vitae (CV) and statements of purpose (SOP), citing his experience of turning failed research projects into valuable credentials. Jae-Yong Hwang discussed whether contacting labs before the application is necessary, interview successes and failures, and tips for undergraduate research. Jeong-Won Shin offered advice on the difficulties of studying robotics abroad, while Dong-il Lee highlighted the key factors in successful graduate school applications, including expertise, references, and contacts.

The talk garnered significant interest among the students, resulting in a packed lecture room of approximately 80 attendees. The students were able to gain a better understanding of how to plan ahead of time for their graduate school applications and study abroad experience. This event not only provided essential information but also fostered a supportive community for KAIST students interested in pursuing higher education abroad.