What is candidacy?  

• The 6-week formal exam required by grad school 
• Advisor/committee chooses a topic 
• Typically not something you have worked on 
• But good for you to know 
• You do a literature review on the topic 
• Deliverables: 15 – 20 page paper (at the end of 4 weeks) + Talk (at the end of 6 weeks)

Timing

• Professors are busy
  • Ask to be on your committee >= 4 months in advance
• Schedule your exam on a day and time that works well for you – this is your candidacy
• Make sure oral exam is on committee members’ schedules
  • If very hard-to-get professor such as the Chair of the department, talk to the assistant for scheduling

Once you get the topic remember you are not alone

• Not a lone journey
  • you will need help and so get ready to ASK FOR HELP
• Ask clarification from the advisor/committee on the topic
  • What are their expectations?
  • Broadly, what outline should your paper follow?
• Communicate profusely with your advisor/committee
  • They picked the topic, they want to see that you are interested in it
  • Ask away, they will tell you when they cannot tell you something

On d-day

• Get to the exam early
  • get familiar with the room, and whiteboards, and set up your talk
• During the exam
  • Station yourself near a whiteboard
  • No hiding behind talk
• Be very respectful, alert, and attentive
• Show willingness to work it out on the board
• Committee wants you to succeed
  • If you get stuck/flustered under questioning
  • They might throw you lifeline – recognize and utilize

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