So, you are interested to become a graduate student in my lab? Great, I’m always looking for outstanding students!
Tips for prospective graduate students
- DO check the Openings. If there is a funded opening that you have the qualifications for, follow the application instructions and apply. If there are no funded openings listed, that means there are none. Do not send me an e-mail to ask for funding in that case. That shows you didn’t do your homework.
- DO apply for our MS or PhD program first, whether you are applying for a funded or unfunded position. I do not hire students who are not admitted to our graduate program AND are not physically present in the US.
- DO read this before you apply for a PhD program: https://medium.economist.com/why-doing-a-phd-is-often-a-waste-of-time-349206f9addb
- DO tell me what difference a PhD will make for you. A PhD should be MAD for you: meaning “Making A Difference,” and nothing else.
- DON’T expect funding in the first few terms. During your probation, you will first need to demonstrate that you can do well in classes and that you can contribute to our research.
- DON’T send a boilerplate email, à la “Dear Professor, I’m interested in your research area”. That shows a total lack of professionalism, shows you didn’t do your homework, and generally is simply a red flag. Don’t be surprised if you don’t get a reply.
- DO send a personal e-mail that demonstrates that you did your homework and that you care.
- DO use a proper salutation and spell my name correctly: “Dear Professor Teuscher,” not “Hi,” or “Dear Professor.”
- DO pay attention to spelling, grammar, and formatting in your e-mail.
- DO your homework and show that you are really interested. Your email should demonstrate genuine familiarity with our research, not just surface-level interest. Read our recent papers, understand the problems we are working on, and explain specifically how your background connects to them. Make a concrete case for what you bring to the table and how you will contribute. Saying you are “interested in neuromorphic computing and AI” or that we “share common interests” is not enough. I am looking for students who can hit the ground running and move our work forward.
- DON’T apply if your background and skillset does not align with our research area. If you earned a degree in another area, tell me what you have done and what you are willing to do to move into our research area. Again, simply being interested in our research will not open doors.
- DON’T apply if do not meet the requirements to be admitted to the ECE graduate program.
- DON’T send the same e-mail to several faculty in the same department.
- DON’T apply if you have a very traditional computer engineering background in IC design, VLSI design, computer architecture, reconfigurable systems, FPGAs, pre-/post-silicon validation, and design verification & validation. This is neither what we do nor a background that is useful for what we do.
- DON’T send reminders, à la “I know you are extremely busy, but I would appreciate if you could take the time to review my materials.” It’s rather rude, unprofessional, and shows that you are desperate. If I’m interested, I will get back to you.
- DON’T ask me if I’m “currently accepting PhD students.” I always accept students who are a good fit for the team and can move our work forward. Instead, make a case how you will contribute.
- DO read this: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-04128-8
- DO briefly describe your industrial and academic experience.
- DO include a link to your Github that shows me your cool projects, a link to your LinkedIn profile, and a link to your professional website. If you have a professional social networking account, include it as well.
- DO include a link to your top publication if you have published something.
- DO be concise.
- DO attach a short CV.
Materials for prospective graduate students
- Our publications: Publications
- Our research: Research