Meeting a professor

[hip2btriangle]

Hey all,

After some emails with a prof. at a program I'm interested in I've been asked to meet with him/her/zir face to face. Any tips before I head into this? Obviously I know it means nothing as far as admissions and is really just a good way to get to know the professor and see if we'd get along. But...any to do's or to don'ts?

-h2bt

Edited October 30, 2009 by hip2btriangle

[socialcomm]

Have questions prepared about him/her and their research. Don't ask questions that are more appropriate for the grad coordinator. Relax and enjoy the conversation -- like you said it's a good way to find out how you'll get along and how good a fit you are with the program. Good luck!

[sa854]

Ask them questions about the resources available at the institution for you to pursue your research interests, the strengths of the department, other faculty they think you should speak with, and graduate students who work with him/her that you could contact.

[hip2btriangle]

update: it was (he/she/ze was) awkward.

sad.

[socphd82]

update: it was (he/she/ze was) awkward.

sad.

Hey H2bt

I know you said it was awkward, but hopefully it was informative nonetheless. From your experience, do you have do's or don'ts that you can share?

thanks!

socphd82

[hip2btriangle]

Hey H2bt

I know you said it was awkward, but hopefully it was informative nonetheless. From your experience, do you have do's or don'ts that you can share?

thanks!

socphd82

i don't know, i mean, the best you can do is read the prof.'s research beforehand, and ask them about their work at first and then appropriately weave in your own interests. each prof. is different obviously, and i think the goal is to come across as capable, sane, and eager to be in the program.