Friday night I attended a dinner with two prospective graduate students for the PBPG program here at UW-Madison. It’s so interesting, being on the other side of the prospecting process. (It will be even more interesting if I become a professor/PI.)

The prospective students were split up into three parties, one that came the Friday before last, another last Monday, and two the Friday that just passed. I didn’t meet any of the other students (been too busy), but I did get a couple of data points, and saw a bit of how I looked one year ago this month.

  1. Prospectives don’t have many questions about the local area. They’re applying to a school, not a city. I was a little different, because I was prospecting for two - and part of my graduate school decision was based upon what opportunities there would be for Ariela. Plus, what things there are to do.
  2. Confident prospectives are visible by their comfort level. One of the prospectives is from Madison, and works for one of the professors in the program. Looked like they weren’t too nervous.
  3. Nervous prospectives drink very slowly and carefully. I’ve been there. You want to give a good impression - you’re not the kind of student who will spend their time drinking, but studying instead. You take modest sips, yet make sure to finish it before the evening is up.
  4. The attire of the student may also correlate with their level of comfort. Casually-dressed students are hoping you won’t pay attention to their clothing, but their record and what they say.
  5. Prospective students flying in from somewhere else are so happy to be there! It’s a great feeling, being flown in and having your travel reimbursed, all to get you to want to attend the school if accepted. It’s a good chance that you’re in if you’re visiting.
  6. Enthusiasm helps! The schools at which I was the most enthusiastic, I was more enthusiastically received. And don’t be afraid to show how much you love the subject. Last year, I was showing off my corn shirt. (One of the rotating pics on the left)
  7. Prospectives that figure out who they’d like to work for stand out from the rest. You’re a professor, and you have the funding to support a new student. Are you going to take on the 4.0 student who wants to go to the school, or the 3.5 student who wants to work with you on your project? I sent a few letters and emails after some of my visits, reinforcing my interest, and it seemed to make a difference.
  8. This one’s for hosts - don’t make things too fancy. Last year, Florida, for example, treated us to a fancy dinner (delicious), and an in-home dinner party (that, too). Too much! The casual atmosphere of The Great Dane restaurant in Madison, the school cafeteria and a regular restaurant in Champsign-Urbana, IL, were just right. You won’t get to know your prospectives if they’re not comfortable!

Well, this didn’t start out as a do/don’t list, but there were a few of them in there. Just a few thoughts I had this weekend since meeting a few prospective graduate students. Good luck, hope to see you in the fall, or someday in the future in the field!