Any guidelines for a campus visit for PhD application?

[musicologypl]

Hello everyone,

I just want to get some suggestions about campus visit. What aspects do you suggest to look during a campus visit? Like sit in their classroom, talk with their professors? Anything else?

[kccur]

Definitely sit in a class if possible (although sometimes you can end up one that may not be particularly representative of the program). Probably the most important thing imo is to talk to the grad students who are already there. Ask them about the culture of the program, how professors of interest are to work with, how they like being there, etc.

[music]

As well as classes, try to go to social events and workshops. Workshops are especially useful because you'll have a chance to see students interacting independently on the spot, not just responding to a book/article. Often there will be more advanced students presenting their work, again, a useful indicator of program quality.

[theory411]

Try to go to conferences and meet with professors and current students.