prospective advisor- what to ask?

[international]

i'm going next week to visit the two schools i was admitted to (help!).

i was wondering if anyone have suggestions on what to ask prospective advisors and other faculty members, and how to find out if they are interested in my work?

anyone? anything?

thanks!

[thepoorstockinger]

Ask them about:

Their own research (past, present and future)

What their other students are working on

If they're planning on being on sabbatical in the near future and if so how you see that affecting your supervision

If they're planning on teaching any graduate courses in the near future

If you're not a perfect match with their listed research interests ask if they see that as a problem

I found that all of these questions taken as a whole made it pretty apparent if the person was interested in my work or not. For example, the supervisor at the school I ended up choosing for my MA is on sabbatical next year (my first year) and I asked if he saw that as being a problem, his response was "No not at all. I'll be around campus since *his partner* is not on sabbatical and I have most of the archival research done for my next book. And for a student like you who I actually want to work with and whose research I am interested in it won't be a problem in the least." He's more honest than most people, but that response made me more comfortable than if I had just asked if he wanted to supervise me and he said "Yes, you seem like a very good student."

I just talked to supervisors over the phone but I found that if you just have a conversation a lot of subtle stuff slips out/you can pick up on bullshit. Most professors are pretty honest, though. They don't want to take on students who they don't like or encourage people to go to situations which aren't good for the student.

[sunshine6]

In addition to what poorstockinger said:

Be sure to ask about placement rates, (where their successful students end up completing their PhD or the percentage who are gainfully employed in the field.)

AND don't forget to ask about average completion time/time to degree, and what percentage leave the program without degree. If you see a lot of people entering the program, and then abandoning it, there may be a problem.

Ask about school fees that may not be included in a funding package... you may get tuition waived, but in many schools these fees are out of pocket, and are spendy.

Most importantly, talk to current grad students. They are usually very forthright. They are not trying to sell their program as some faculty may be. Ask them about funding difficulties, if they think the program has grown or declined in the years they have spent there. Ask what they perceive as strengths or weaknesses in the program. I found this to be much more realistic answers than what the university provided.

Don't fear to ask the hard questions, it just shows diligence. I even took notes and "interviewed" my dept chair. It is your life, and it is important to be sure all the components you want are there. After all, they made you go through the application process, and deemed you worthy, now it is your opportunity to do the same.