<p>Hey everyone, does anyone know if it is possible for a high school senior to schedule a visit/talk to a professor during a visit to the University? Thanks. (Specifically, I'm interested in a professor of finance - even better, math finance, if that matters)</p>
<p>It’s possible, but professors often have scarce time to meet with their own students, let alone a prospective student. What kinds of things would you be looking to discuss? If you are talking about coursework and program philosophy and that kind of thing, speaking to a counselor would probably be better - some professors don’t even really know what the requirements of the majors they teach actually are. </p>
<p>That said, the best way to find out would be to figure out whom you want to meet with. Then look his or her name up in the Andrew directory and send him or her an email :)</p>
<p>When I visited colleges, I made it a point to try to talk to professors. Sometimes I had to wander cluelessly, sometimes I had to wait, but it was generally possible for me to talk to someone, even without an appointment.</p>
<p>You can talk with professors on any college visit at any college…but in reality you need to ask yourself why are you desiring to do so? (B/c that’s certainly going to be on their minds too)</p>
<p>If meeting is to somehow increase your chances of admissions-- that is just not going to happen. You will not impress someone enough to call adcom on your behalf. Don’t bother. And for g-d’s sakes, don’t bring your parents if they are the talkly types-- b/c then it’s the parents asking the questions and you the student look ridiculous. It’s your college choice- so make sure you have your questions ready. Professors don’t provide you with info you could read on your own. </p>
<p>If you want info not already gleaned from the course catalog-- as noted above, the best person to speak with in the Director of Undergraduate Studies (or similar such titles). Find the freshman advisor and stop in or make an appt in advance. That person at any school/college will tell you more about the curriculum-- but you look pretty uninformed if you simply ask the same questions already in print/web. The purpose of meeting is to get specific pointed questions addressed that are NOT available elsewhere.</p>
<p>A good reason to see a professor is b/c you have a very specific and genuine interest in their research and want to continue/start working in their lab/their projects. That is a good reason to see professors.</p>
<p>Reality-- few professors are going to spend time with a prospective – especially a high school student. That may sound harsh-- but it’s a fact of life in a research school. That’s why there are freshman advisors - they will see you.</p>
<p>Small liberal arts colleges and teaching schools have more open doors to chat without warning with high school students and their parents. this will not be the case for research schools such as CMU. Meeting with professors is generally what prospective graduate students will do.</p>
<p>One excellent way to meet profs is at the Diversity weekends-- there are hosting receptions with faculty and advisors circulating to ask your questions. Diversity weekends are open to everyone – you just need to sign up. Similar opportunities are less available on sleeping bag weekends (same dates just one day shorter). There are group sessions with deans/faculty in each college. One-on-one info. sessions less likely nor do they serve much of a purpose.</p>
<p>Best of luck</p>
<p>DS only got to talk/email his all-in-one advisor, mentor, student employer, just every couple of weeks. As an employed, university staff engineer, with this same professor, DS, still only gets to talk/email once every couple of weeks, by appointment. </p>
<p>I don’t think talking to a prof would be helpful.</p>
<p>I remember attending an Intro Engineering class while visiting CMU and the professor was willing to talk with my dad and myself for a good while giving us tons of info about the school and the program there. It was definitely one of the deciding factors that got me to go to CMU.</p>
<p>A lot of the accessibility of a professor leans on how high an opinion they hold of themselves and how much they feel talking to other people is worth their time.</p>