Finding a major professor
A Major Professor, who is a faculty member of the Graduate Group in Ecology, is required in order to be admitted into the program. It's not necessary to have made this commitment before submitting your application. However, it is a good idea to start the process as soon as possible. Confirmation of a commitment by a GGE faculty member must be in the form of a letter submitted to the GGE for the applicants admission file before acceptance by the admissions committee. Even if you are very well qualified and highly competitive for admission, failure to fulfill this requirement will prevent your admission to the Graduate Group in Ecology.
There are several things you can do to make the search easier and ultimately more productive:
- You should write as specific a statement of purpose as you can that clearly identifies your research interests. Ecology faculty will usually choose students on the basis of experience, skills, and interests as well as academic record. Providing an accurate picture of these is definitely in your interest.
- Consult the faculty list, and especially the list of those faculty who are accepting new students, identify those faculty whose interests match yours, and write or call them. E-mail is acceptable. Talking to graduate students already in the program is a very productive way to find new leads. The Ecology Graduate Student Association is a great resource for referrals; they may be contacted through Silvia.
- If you can do so, arrange to visit. This is not only a good way to get a feel for the institution and the program, it is the very best way to assess potential major professors, and vice versa. It is not possible for the GGE to assist you with travel funds to visit UCD, however, housing with a graduate student can be arranged.
- Although the responsibility for finding a major professor is ultimately yours, we will assist you in the search as much as possible. In particular, you may want to contact the Chair of the Area of Emphasis who is also Chair of the Admissions Committee.
- Finally, the requirement for a major professor extends throughout your tenure as a graduate student in the GGE if you are selected for admission. Nevertheless, should you or your major professor find that you are incompatible, or if your interests change, you are welcome to find a new major professor.
Additional Information on finding a major professor can be found at the EGSA student survival guide.