Having so many GSBS Faculty to choose from can be overwhelming, so here are concrete steps you can take to help you identify tutorial instructors:
- Define your research interests
- Search the GSBS Faculty Directory using keywords of your interests
- Check out the Faculty Seeking PhD Students list
- Review faculty profiles
- Talk to Dr. Mattox or Brenda Gaughan about the faculty you like to get info about their training history
- Contact the lab's trainees to talk about their mentor and their work
- Talk with other students about their tutorial experiences, advisors and Programs
- Talk with Program Directors
- Contact the potential tutorial instructor to set up a face-to-face meeting
- Prepare for the meeting!
- Read the latest publications
- Ask for further references or reading material before the meeting
- Think of questions to ask about the science
- How to drive the discussion:
- The major focus must be research interests - do you share them?
- What are the major projects in the lab?
- Ask to see the lab facilities
- How many lab personnel are there now? Which are trainees, postdocs, techs, etc.?
- Who would you work with during the tutorial?
- What would your project be?
- What is the faculty member's Program affiliation(s)?
- How does the faculty member feel about students attending scientific meetings?
- How many previous students has the faculty mentored?
- What are the previous students doing now?
- Confirm that the faculty member wants to take a student this year
- Don't be afraid to ask about the faculty member's funding -- it is very important!
- After the meeting, reassess your priorities -- is this the best fit for me?
- Are you excited about the research?
- Do you like a small lab or a large lab?
- Do you prefer labs with extensive collaborations or one that is more highly focused?
- Are the lab personnel friendly and willing to communicate?
- Are you comfortable talking with the faculty member?
- Is the lab environment suited to your lifestyle?