School Visit Day-What Questions to Ask?/Prepare for?

[Frankfurtschool]

Hi all,

I know I sure am bit nervous about Open house/Visit day for grad school.

I know they are suppose to encourage you to pick their program, but it's been years since I went to school and forgot what it was like to communicate with Professors.

I was wondering when I meet with faculty, do they usually approach you first? Do they ask you questions or are you suppose to initiate talks?

What are some good questions?

Thank you all!

[yellowmint]

You mean at potlucks or social stuff? It can go either way (who approaches who), but my suggestion is not to talk about research or anything sociology, unless 1) it is the formal interview portion of the visit 2) it just comes up in the course of natural conversation. Don't hump their leg the whole time, but also don't be an ice queen. Talk about stuff you like to do for fun that is G -rated and professional. They want to see that you're a normal human they can relate to because you'd be spending a lot of time together for 4-5 years. Hope that helps.

[anonymous_soc]

You mean at potlucks or social stuff? It can go either way (who approaches who), but my suggestion is not to talk about research or anything sociology, unless 1) it is the formal interview portion of the visit 2) it just comes up in the course of natural conversation. Don't hump their leg the whole time, but also don't be an ice queen. Talk about stuff you like to do for fun that is G -rated and professional. They want to see that you're a normal human they can relate to because you'd be spending a lot of time together for 4-5 years. Hope that helps.

I agree that it is important to be ready to talk about things outside of research and sociology, but I would add that you should prepared to talk about your research interests A LOT. You will be asked by nearly everyone you speak with.

[hillary511]

I agree that it is important to be ready to talk about things outside of research and sociology, but I would add that you should prepared to talk about your research interests A LOT. You will be asked by nearly everyone you speak with.

Yeah definitely have the 2 sentence pitch of your research and interests down.

[Frankfurtschool]

Thanks everyone! I appreciate it.

My cohort is 9, so I was wondering if preview/visit day for those who have been offered admission is like an interview experience.

I'll definitely be prepared to share my research interests.