First Meeting
The faculty member you reached out to invited you to a meeting! This meeting might feel intimidating, especially if this is the first time you are talking with them one-on-one. Remember that faculty know you’re an undergraduate student, and they were once in your shoes. The important thing is that you are ready to share your enthusiasm and show them you are motivated to learn.
Helpful Tips
- Review your interests and what lead you to them – can you concisely explain what you are interested in and why?
- Dress neatly – this isn’t a job interview, but you should look presentable.
- Review their website, CV, and any notes you’ve taken. Make sure you can explain why you are interested in working with them.
- Have a prepared list of questions – the faculty member will be looking to you to lead the meeting.
- Revisit the kind of research experience you are interested in.
- If you are feeling especially nervous, schedule an advising appointment with OUR; we can do a practice meeting with you.
- Be respectful and arrive on time. If you are running late or need to cancel, let them know as soon as possible.
- Be enthusiastic about your interests and don’t be afraid to be yourself.
- Remember that this is also your chance to evaluate what working with this person would be like.
- Don’t be disappointed if they aren’t able to take you on as a research assistant or mentee. Ask if they can recommend other faculty to get in touch with, other avenues for advancing your interest and skills, or how you can learn more about the topic.
- Send an email within one day thanking them for their time no matter what the outcome of the meeting was.
- If you said you would do something, make sure you do it! Faculty might ask you to send them a resume, suggest you read or look at something, or contact someone else.
- Don't be afraid to remind faculty if they said they would do something (like send you someone's contact information, a website, or a paper).