Name

Amir Sadovnik

School

Cornell University

Degree Program

First year PhD student in Electrical and Computer Engineering with a concentration in Computer Vision

Previous Degrees

Bachelor of Science in Engineering from The Cooper Union, 2009

Research Interests

Computer vision; neuroscience; communication and information theory

Advisor

Tsuhan Chen

Advisor’s Research Focus

Computer vision; pattern recognition

Hobbies

Guitar, playing soccer

Graduate School – Application Process

How did you select your graduate school and program?

I selected Cornell University’s electrical and computer engineering PhD program because the people were welcoming and the program was a great fit. I visited the campus before applying, and I felt at home.

The program itself also suited my previous education and skills in engineering, electrical engineering and psychology. In fact, I had studied for a time with a psychology professor at Cornell about computational models for human cognition.

What did you do to prepare yourself for graduate school?

I prepared myself for graduate school by taking courses like probability, statistics and signal processing. In addition, I tried to explore research opportunities in my undergraduate studies.

Did your application requirements include standardized test scores?

Yes, my application required GRE test scores, which I prepared for by studying a few test preparation books.

What kind of information did you include in your personal statement?

My personal statement included information about my academic history, the relevant courses I took during my undergraduate studies, some of the previous research I had done and my leadership experience. I also listed my reasons for wanting to attend the school and do research in the field.

Do you have any other tips for a student who is considering applying to graduate school in electrical and computer engineering?

I suggest that students considering this subject use independent study or undergrad courses to explore its sub-fields. I ended up changing my research path after 1 semester because a mentor introduced me to a fascinating area within electrical and computer engineering that I had never previously considered. If I had discovered this area earlier, I might have started researching it sooner.

Graduate School – The Program

How long is your program and how is the curriculum distributed?

My electrical and computer engineering program takes about 5 years to complete. I would say that about 70% to 80% of the first year was coursework, but during the second year, coursework dropped to around 20% and I spent the rest of my time conducting research. From the third year on, students in my program typically have no coursework requirements.

What is the focus of your dissertation research?

The focus of my dissertation research is still unclear. After about a year of working with my advisor and in the lab, I have come up with 2 ideas I am currently exploring.

Can you describe the process of researching for and writing your dissertation?

My process for researching and writing my dissertation has not started yet, although I currently spend about 30 hours a week trying to select a dissertation topic. My biggest hurdle so far has just been figuring out how to find and research something that is new, which my advisor is helping me figure out. Fortunately, my only deadlines are the flexible ones set by my department.

Does your program have an internship component?

No, my program does not include an internship component, although the school offers several internship opportunities for interested students.

What role does your advisor play in your education?

My advisor plays a very important role in my education. I chose him because of his specialty and reputation in the field, and because I feel that we have a strong relationship.

The role of my advisor so far has been to help me follow my research interests. He gives me ideas and strategies for overcoming some of my educational hurdles, like selecting a research topic.

Graduate School – Living Life

What are the time commitments for a PhD in electrical and computer engineering?

The time commitments for a PhD in electrical and computer engineering look very much like a full-time job. Typically, I work about 10 hours a day. My first and second years will include coursework, but the other years are devoted to independent research. My time-management strategy so far has been to start my days early so that I can take the evenings off.

How has graduate school affected your personal life?

Graduate school has affected me by taking up a great deal of my time and energy, but I am careful to keep a strict boundary between school and my personal life. This boundary requires me to start at 9 a.m. and work for several hours without distraction until about 7 p.m. so that I do not have to take any work home with me.

Graduate School – After Graduation

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

In 5 years, I want to have a teaching and research position at a university and mentor students on a regular basis. I originally came to Cornell to get into teaching, but I loved the student-mentor relationship so much that I decided I would like to do research as well. I want to teach students and help them reach their academic goals.

Graduate School - Advice

What insights can you offer a student who is interested in pursuing a PhD in electrical and computer engineering?

One insight I have is that students should know that academic breaks are okay. In my case, I took some time off before my bachelors degree and I felt that the break let me explore other options, decide what to do with my life and prepare my mind to meet the challenge of school.

I also think that students should know that time-management skills and self-discipline are critical to their success. Doctoral work requires long stretches of intense focus and the ability to prioritize tasks.

One of my most important insights is about the value of hypothetical and abstract thinking for this field. Research without a planned end date is common because the research goals constantly shift with each new discovery. It is important that electrical and computer engineering students are able to consider multiple possibilities and plan for the unexpected.