Meeting with POIs

Graduate School
1

<p>I have recently set up meetings (not interviews - just an informal discussion and department tour) with two POIs from my top two choices for graduate school. Both have strongly encouraged me to apply and seem very interested in meeting with me because our research interests are very closely aligned. Despite this, I feel that I am not at all a strong candidate for graduate school - especially compared to others in my field - due to the fact that I have very little research experience. </p>

<p>What can I do in these meetings to make myself stand out? What sorts of questions should I ask? I've already had email exchanges with both of these professors and we have discussed our mutual interests and the possibility of me attending each school. I'm relatively familiar with the work that both of them do, I don't really have a lot of questions about it other than "CAN I BE PART OF THIS?!" I've never really done anything like this. It seems more daunting than any interview I've ever had because it's my whole future.</p>

<p>I'm in biological anthropology if that helps.</p>

2

<p>Bump. Any advice?</p>

3

<p>If you have read their papers and can speak intelligently about them and ask good questions, you will give yourself the best chance to make a good impression.</p>

<p>You might also want to read up on the requirements for the programs of these faculty and have some questions for them about details of courses, exams, etc.</p>

<p>Basically, do your homework before talking to them.</p>