Going for campus visit to speak with four professors- what to say, not say, wear?

[anthony218]

Hello, 

 

I scheduled a visit at the school I am most interested in- in a few weeks. To my surprise, they have me meeting with four professors for almost 30 minutes each. Of course, I want to put my best foot forward, but am unsure of a few things. 

 

1) Should I just wear dress pants and a button up shirt, or also a tie, or a jacket or what? 

2) What should I expect they want to hear from me about? Obviously what I want to research, but I wonder what else? 

3) I wonder how candid to be with the professors about relevant things (life experience, the apparent culture and politics of a program. Should I hold back, so as not to accidentally present an idea they don't like or spill all of my academic and ideological dispositions (of course in a constructive way relating to my topic, not just babbling). 

 

Thanks!

[eeee1923]

First, relax this is just a program visit. If they have set you up with 4 short professor discussions I would come prepared (read over some papers of the profs & their research) but don't worry to much.

 

1) Business causal is typical - you can where a tie if you want but this doesn't sound like a official interview so it shouldn't be necessary.

2) Talk about your research, career goals, why you're interested in their program and ask them about their research and what they expect from potential grad students.

3) From the visits I went on before applying, profs tend to be pretty helpful on these visits but be very polite since you would never want to come off as someone who wouldn't be a good fit for the program. That being said, be observant and don't be afraid to ask the important questions pertaining to graduate research at the program (funding, TAing, research areas, etc). Just have an adult conversation with the profs and learn all you can during the visit.

 

Hope that helps and good luck.

[marXian]

1) I would at least wear a coat. Tie/no tie is your preference for something like this. Nice pants, dress shirt and a sport coat/blazer will be enough to show that you're a professional.

 

2) It's kind of hard to say what they'll expect to hear from you. Some programs might expect that a visiting prospective applicant would be the one with all the questions. But I think the answer to this question is related to the third.

 

3) I would err on the side of caution here. Faculty don't expect their admitted students to be clones of their interests, etc. before they're even admitted and they definitely don't expect their students to be become their clones through the process of the program. There is some wiggle room when it comes to fit. Which means you don't need to worry about carefully monitoring everything that comes out of your mouth. That said, you don't want to be so open that it seems you're being careless with how you're presenting yourself. You need to find a balance, e.g. I would only bring up life experience if they ask you about it, and even then keep it as concise as possible so they don't feel like you're giving your life story. 

 

I agree with eteshoe that you should focus some attention on the more practical aspects of the program. Demonstrate that you have an idea of what graduate work entails. Show that you care about teaching and getting that experience. Show some interest in the academic life of the department, which, btw, I wouldn't phrase as either "culture" or "politics" since those words can come across as combative descriptors (especially politics.) Asking about what sorts of people the department invites to speak, what sorts of events the department hosts, how grad students are involved in that, how well the department collaborates with other departments that are relevant to your interests, etc. will help you come across as someone who wants to contribute something to the atmosphere the department has created and be a good colleague. 

 

Of course, getting across your own research interests in a clear and interesting way is going to be important too, but I think these other things will help make an impression.