This tutorial intends to quickly navigate through overleaf instead of providing a complete guide for TeX editors.
Quick Introduction
We choose Overleaf(ShareLaTeX) to edit instead our local editors like WinEdt, Kile or Emacs because Overleaf(ShareLaTeX) provides a platform for group editing with TeX. We may think it as a "Google TeX": people are allowed to edit the same .tex file simultaneously; contents can be accessed, modified and downloaded by any authorized users; and most importantly it is free and open source.
Access & Log In
You can use overleaf.com. After opening the website, you can simply register yourself.
Creating A Project
A project is composed of all the files related to one output document you are creating, for example, .tex file, .aux file or some pictures. When you are logged in, you are automatically faced with the list of projects you have. To create a new project, simply click the top right button "New Project". You may want to create a "Blank Project" if you want to write on your own starting from the simplest document structure; you may want to play with the "Example Project" in which there is a simple structure for thesis; or you may want to use your local projects by choosing "Upload Zipped Project" (you have to at least have your .tex file in your uploading .zip file).
When you get in the editing interface, you are going to edit your .tex file right in the middle window where the codes appear. The window on your right-hand side shows the output document. You can simply compile by clicking the green "Recompile" and see the result instantaneously. On your left-hand side, you can see all the existing files in the project, just like those files in the same folder with the .tex file when you are editing with your local editor. You can easily upload new files, rename and delete a file using the tools right above the list of files.
These are mostly all the necessary things you need to know before getting down to edit your documents. It is fine to stop reading this tutorial here and explore the rest functions provided by Overleaf on your own.
Templates
Stevens dissertion requirements can be found here.