Oh dear god, what have I done?

[justuschickens]

So I started emailing a few faculty with aligned research interests today and mentioned that I'm intending to take a road trip out west for some campus visits in June. I'm 2 years from graduating (I'm a non-trad, which is why I'm pretty set on grad school at this point -- I'm only here in undergrad so I can get a BA and move on to my Ph.D.), and I

Comments

[roseofjuly]

Don't stress. This is a casual visit. I'd wear business casual at the most, but I personally would probably wear a pair of dark jeans, a button down, and some dressy flats. (That is my default "something cool involving professionals is going to happen today" outfit).

Think of yourself as meeting a potential advisor at your undergrad, only more important...come with ideas about what you want your research to be in graduate school, come with lost of questions, and just kind of let the conversation flow. Some of these professors will dominate and start talking; others will wait on you to direct the conversation and still others will be in charge but ask you a zillion questions about yourself. Be prepared for any of the three and just be flexible.

Also, don't be afraid to ask pointed questions. I have a tendency to be pretty blunt but most people have a more finessed approach -- if you want to know if all the students in the department are funded, and for how long, then ask that. If you want to know how they are funded, ask that too. If you want to know how many people drop out every year, ask that...don't be afraid to ask for the negatives of a program as well as the positives (although the current graduate students may be better sources for answers in this department). Just be sure to sandwich these between positives so that the tone of the interview is overwhelmingly positive.