Name

Chuck Curtis

School

University of Washington

Degree Program

Graduated Master of Science student in Computational Linguistics, 2011

Previous Degrees

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from University of Wisconsin, Madison, 2005

Research Interests

Accent and dialect classification; information extraction

Advisor

Scott Farrar

Advisor’s Research Focus

Natural language generation

Hobbies

Playing guitar, hiking, snowboarding

Graduate School – Application Process

How did you select your graduate school and program?

I chose to apply to the computational linguistics masters program at University of Washington because it was among the very few schools that had a graduate program dedicated specifically to that subject. Many graduate schools offer programs in linguistics or computer science, but there are not many that offer computational linguistics. I researched University of Washington’s program and contacted the department to find out more. In the end, that was the only graduate program that I applied to.

What did you do to prepare yourself for graduate school?

I prepared for graduate school by studying the list of prerequisite materials that University of Washington provided. I studied those materials on my own because I had not studied linguistics at the undergraduate level.

Did your application requirements include standardized test scores?

No, University of Washington did not require me to take any standardized tests as part of the application process.

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

In my personal statement, I wrote about my interest in computational linguistics and my experience with the subject. I didn’t have a lot of experience, since I studied electrical engineering as an undergraduate. But I spoke to the fact that the computational linguistics program would allow me to continue with some aspects of my undergrad studies while branching off in a new direction.

Do you have any other tips for a student who is considering applying to graduate school in computational linguistics?

If students are interested in the computational linguistics program at University of Washington, I recommend that they check out the program’s website, because there are some very useful webinars offered every quarter. The webinars provide information about what you would be studying and how the degree may be applied. You can also contact the faculty directly through the website. They are very approachable and more than willing to answer any questions you might have.

Graduate School – The Program

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

My program is typically completed in about a year if students attend full time. Part-time students can finish the program in 2 to 3 years. Either way, my computational linguistics program required students to follow a standard course flow that was relatively inflexible. The initial classes covered the basics of linguistics, like syntax and semantics. After we got up to speed on the basics, we started to take more specialized classes. Finally, we had the choice to complete the program by either writing a thesis or participating in an internship. I chose to do the internship.

What is the focus of your masters research?

I can’t speak in detail about the focus of my masters research, because most of the projects I worked on were confidential. In fact, the company I worked for during my internship asked me and my advisor to sign a non-disclosure agreement so that he could read my internship report.

Does your program have an internship component?

Yes, I chose to take the internship option instead of writing a thesis in order to complete my masters program in computational linguistics. My academic advisor at University of Washington also worked in the computational linguistics field, so he pointed me towards a web development company in Seattle that needed computational linguistic interns. At that company, he also became my internship advisor. For the internship, I had to complete a certain number of hours working on projects related to my field. The hours were regulated by an internship report that described the projects I contributed to and how it related to my graduate studies.

The benefit of a professional internship is that it gives you an idea of how computational linguistics actually works in the real world. You get to see how the knowledge you have gained in your course work can be applied to a work setting. And, of course, internships often lead to full-time positions, as was the case for me. If you want to make the most of your internship, I suggest you take regular notes on the project and think about the way it relates to your studies. Through your notes, you will be able to see the connections between academic theory and the practical application of computational linguistics.

What role does your advisor play in your education?

My academic advisor played a central role in my masters education. Not only did he teach a couple of my courses, he also worked for the company that offered me an internship. It made perfect sense for him to become my internship advisor too.

Does your masters program require comprehensive exams prior to graduation?

No, my program doesn’t require students to take a comprehensive exam to graduate. You do have to take a preliminary exam before you begin the program so that the department has some idea of how much background knowledge you have. Depending on how you perform on that exam, you may have to take a refresher course in the fundamentals before you start the general coursework.

How does a masters program differ from undergraduate study?

The biggest difference between a masters program and undergraduate study is the scope of your learning. In a masters program, the subject area is narrower than in undergrad, where you get a more general introduction to your subject. You also get to know your classmates and faculty better in a masters program because they are present in more of your classes.

Graduate School – Paying for It

How much does your masters program cost?

My masters program in computational linguistics cost about $20,000.

How are you funding your education?

I was fortunate to have my family cover the costs of my graduate education. A lot of people apply for financial aid in order to do this program, and there are a small number of scholarships available.

Graduate School – Living Life

What are the time commitments for a masters in computational linguistics?

A student in the computational linguistics program at University of Washington can expect to spend 50 to 60 hours a week between attending class and working on homework.

How has graduate school affected your personal life?

Graduate school did not have any drastic consequences on my personal life. It became a little more difficult to find time to hang out with friends, but at this stage in my life, we are all equally busy anyway. As long as you start your projects early and follow through with homework, you will have time left over to devote to relaxation.

Graduate School – After Graduation

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I am not sure where I want to be in 5 years, but it would be nice to stay with my current company. I have also considered the idea of getting my PhD, but since I just finished my masters degree I want to take a little time to breathe before I decide what to do next.

Graduate School - Advice

What insights can you offer a student who is interested in pursuing a masters degree in computational linguistics?

If a student is interested in computational linguistics, they should try to learn a little more about what the career actually entails by shadowing a professional in the field. I wasn’t able to do that, but I did read a lot of blogs by a computational linguist. It gave me a little bit of insight into what the day-to-day job duties were.