Here are some issues to keep in mind when talking to faculty members as you seek a potential graduate advisor:

• You want your research to be on a topic that sparks your intellectual curiosity. Consider advisors whose research interests match your own. Familiarize yourself with his or her research before engaging them in a conversation.

• Ideally, you will be getting a stipend and your tuition paid. In fact, many advise that you should not consider a program if you are not offered these things. Ask about the duties expected of you as a teaching assistant, graduate assistant, or research assistant. Different schools have different expectations, and so do different faculty members. The definitions of various assistantships are a bit blurry, but here are some general rules:

  • Teaching Assistantships:  A teaching assistantship in an academic program provides a stipend to a student who is typically required to spend 10-20 hours per week during the academic year assisting in the teaching program of an academic program.

  • Research Assistantships:  A research assistantship in an academic program is provided to a student from an external grant, academic program, or University funds to enable a student to work toward the advanced degree while performing grant-related or University-funded tasks.

  • Fellowships:  Fellowships are awarded on a competitive basis in recognition of a student's demonstrated scholarship, scholastic and creative promise, and/or financial need. To be eligible for consideration, a student must be admitted to a graduate program with a specific graduate degree objective and must be enrolled in graduate academic course work. There is no service or work requirement associated with fellowship awards.

• Inquire about the publication history and agenda of your potential advisor. You will be working on your own research for your thesis or your dissertation, but to meet your career goals you may want to get your name on a few published papers along the way. 

• For more information on choosing an advisor and research topic, explore  http://www.psywww.com/tipsheet/insider.htm.