besides being interested in what you do, what else?

what do the supervisors look for in a prospective student?



thanks!

Dear Julianne,

From the position of PhD student, I could tell you, that my supervisor wanted somebody self-confident (he gives me some topic and I check some papers about that, I order some chemicals and material...) and somebody who might help him in lab (i.e. - using techniques I learned at the university)

What professors want is someone that will work pretty much independently so that they can go to meetings and not worry about the lab.

you need to have a REALLY GOOD sense of humor

All graduate students I know are really funny and easy to get along with it. I guess you need it, or else you'll just jump out of your lab window.

You need to be organized when it comes to your data and notes. Who cares if your apartment/house is like a pig sty as long as you can flip back into your data notebook 2 years and be able to perform the experiment again.

Independence is gained eventually and through going through the motions of failed experiments, etc.

I love your insights you guys. you have to visit this site to find more people like us who are applying to a PhD program.

http://www.testmagic.com/forums/ I'm trying to represent but need more help from others.

I think that our answers may depend on if we are from the US or Europe. Since we have different types of programs, I imagine that there are different expectations as we look for PIs.

I'm a 5th year graduate student in California. Yes, previous research experience helped to show that I would be a good investment for my university/department/PI, but having the chance to rotate in different labs and try different PIs/research helped me figure out what I wanted. I've only heard of a few students where the PI didn't feel they were a good fit for the lab. Most the time, we have to make the choice. But that's because we aren't expected to "know anything". Of course, the more we know, the better. I agree with all the comments so far, but initially, my PI didn't expect me to be able to find something on a topic right away, or to be able to ask the important questions, or to be able to write an article...but these are things that they help you learn. You DO need to be able to get along with others, know how to ask for help from the more experienced researchers (and know when not to ask for help). Independance is a virtue, but not so much to the point that you aren't a member of the team/lab.

Like I said though, I think what's expected varies somewhat based on where you are training.