Helpful Hints for Students:
Working with Faculty Advisors

Identifying Faculty Advisors
You will want to choose faculty members who teach or do research in the academic areas that interest you. Consider teachers of courses you have taken or are planning to take in the future. Consider faculty members with whom you have had good conversations. The faculty directory of a department’s website will generally include information on the research and teaching areas of each of the faculty members. IISP staff can also make suggestions.

How to make the most of the advisor-student relationship

Do your homework. It may be best to meet with your prospective advisors once you have a draft statement of purpose and a draft plan of study. Provide them with this material and an unofficial copy of your transcript. This will show the faculty advisor how you envision your major, what your academic strengths are, and what relevant courses you have already taken. The more information you provide, the more fruitful your exchange will be. The more clearly you can articulate your aims, the more easily you will evoke interest from a faculty member. Don’t feel you need to have everything figured out; the advisor is there, after all, to assist you.

Come prepared with questions. Be open to new ideas and insights your advisors may have to offer. Follow up on any advice or suggestions that you receive.

Communicate effectively. A clearly written e-mail message is more likely to get a quick response than one which is difficult to decipher. Your e-mail messages should resemble a standard letter rather than the text messages you might send to a friend. Respond promptly to e-mail messages and phone calls.

Use office hours. You may find that you cover more ground and achieve better results if you approach your prospective advisor in person and at a time that s/he has set aside for student consultations.

Keep your appointments.  Be on time. Follow up on any agreements.

Plan ahead and leave yourself plenty of time. Once you have finalized your statement of purpose and completed your proposed plan of study, you will need to meet with each of your faculty advisors again. Each of them will need to sign your application.

Your relationship with your advisors does not end there! Keep your advisors apprised of your progress and changes in your plans. They will continue to be good sources of advice and information as you pursue your studies, choose internships and study abroad programs, and make plans for employment or graduate school.