Visits!

[Lizzy23]

Looking for advice...

The department to which I have been accepted (Classics @ Western Ontario) does not seem to plan visits for its chosen graduate students. However, since I asked, I was offered to come, with traveling expenses covered. The details have not been discussed (length of my stay, sleeping arrangement, food, planning, et cetera). As I do not want to appear too exacting, I was wondering what I should expect, what is usually customary as far as visits go...

- How long are visits usually? It is a 15 hours bus drive just to get to Western, a visit that lasts less than a day would be rather disappointing.

- Should I expect lodging accommodation to be made for me (with another graduate student? hotel? residence room?) or is it my responsibility?

- Should I expect to be shown the city or only the campus? Can I attend undergraduate and graduate courses? Am I required to present a paper to the department or to have to pass any kind of examination?

- How am I supposed to be dressed? This is a rather mundane question, but I have been warned by several American and English-Canadian friends and teachers that most departments are not as... uptight as mine (French department). Is a suit and tie required? Should I expect to be addressed by my first name (the professor who communicated with me certainly did, much to my surprise)? How should I address my professors and fellow students?

Thank you!

[rising_star]

The visits I've done have typically been Thursday-Saturday.

On lodging, you really should ask. I've stayed at hotels, a bed and breakfast, and will be staying with current graduate students on a couple of upcoming visits.

You will definitely be shown the campus. You should try and visit the city (maybe ask the current grad students if they'll show you around). You may be able to attend classes but, I almost think it's a waste of time unless it's a grad course with a prof you'd take courses from. Definitely don't waste time sitting in on undergrad classes. You need to meet with faculty to see if you want to be there. Meet with as many faculty as you need to. Make sure you could form a committee when you go there. Ask questions about exam structure, course requirements, dissertation/thesis, etc. Get all the info that's not on the website. Talk to the current students of whomever you're looking to work with.

No, you won't present a paper or pass an exam! You've already been admitted!

No suit and tie. Business casual please. If it's a Friday, nice jeans. If you're going out with grad students, be comfortable. And yes, they'll address you by your first name. As for addressing others, I'm Southern so I address all professors as Dr. X until specifically instructed to do otherwise. First-name basis with students (your peers) has always worked for me.

Hope this helps!

[Kee]

Hi Mr/Ms. Lizzy,

Maybe I can add my 2 cents because I just visited Western a couple of weeks ago (although I was visiting the Business School).

I live only a couple of hours away, and the visit only lasted a few hours. I didn't get a tour of the campus or city. But my department has a separate Grad Day which does cover that, along with panel discussions and a meet-and-greet.

I wasn't sure what to wear either, so I contacted the administrator in the PhD office. Even though my visit happened on a Friday, she advised me to dress formally (jacket and dress pants). Whoever is helping you plan your visit will probably be very willing to answer your questions. Don't be afraid to ask. If I was putting myself through a 15 hour bus ride, I would make sure I knew what I was getting into!

I had a list of questions ready in my briefcase, both for the professors and the current grad students. While the faculty are more concerned with making a favourable impression on you (so that you accept their offer), the students are not as much. This means they can give you lots of great information about what life will be like there for a student - both good and bad. Every student I met gave me invaluable information. For example, I had a lot of questions for the woman who is currently working under my potential advisor...

Make sure you remember everyone's name so that you can email them your thanks later. Also, keep in contact with the students if you meet people you liked. It will be helpful when you think of more questions after your trip, which you will. And staying in touch means you'll start your program with a few friends, which never hurts. One of the students I met has already sent me several articles to read. Another sent me the name of a book I'll have to read in first year. I've already ordered it so I can get a head start.

I really enjoyed my visit, and came away excited about the idea of studying there. I hope you do, too.

But you have to tell me something now. You're not used to being addressed by your first name? That's so surprising. Where did you study where that's unusual? I'm going to scroll up to fix my salutation now.

[Lizzy23]

Thanks for your advices, both of you. I will certainly pay close attention to them.

Ahhh, the joys of academic etiquette! A thread should be made about that.

Lizzy will do, as we are two students chatting on a forum :wink:

I have been offered to be put in touch with some students, but I should probably wait until I visit the department and meet them there. Odds are that they will be more talkative in person than through emails. I know I would. Unless told otherwise, I will address the faculty members as 'Professor' or 'Doctor', depending on whether the particular person is a prof. or a lecturer. I feel rather uncomfortable at the thought of calling them by their first name, so I suppose that 'sir/madam' will do for those who ask, until I get to know them better. I will dress rather formally (a nice jacket and dress pants/knee-length skirt or a nice black dress), without a tie. I will also pack a good pair of chinos, in case more casual clothing is needed. My mother always told me that it's better to be overdressed than underdressed (and we all know that mothers always know best :roll:).

I am from a French Canadian university (UofM). Bear in mind that I speak from my perspective as a student from the department of Classics. Professors in other departments might not have the same habits (educated guess: business/law school professors might be even more uptight). As in most things, your mileage may vary. I am used to being referred as 'Miss', 'Miss Last Name' or 'Miss First Name'. In private conversation and seminars, professors that know me well will address me as 'First Name', though some keep using 'Miss First/Last Name'. 'Madam' is even used from time to time. 'Vous' is always used (formal 'you'). Some graduate students addresses their professors by their first name, but this is not the norm. Some professors would be deeply offended by being called by their first name, even by their colleagues. On a funny note, one of my professors has the peculiar habit of addressing his students by their last name only, during classes (Joe Smith would be referred to as 'Smith').