Permission to Write meeting is checked off the list. I was planning to highlight my creative responses. However, it was absolutely painless, I could even say fun. To make your encounters with the often dreaded committee easier, I suggest:
VERY GLOSSY LIPS: This trendy look can be used to distract the committee. Sit strategically so you can reflect the light into the committee's eyes when they attempt to find the glaring error in whatever piece of work you have submitted to them.
COVERT COMPLIMENTS: The committee appears to enjoy having their achievement and extreme intelligence pointed out in front of their peers. Don't be too obvious as the committee appears to recognize the student tactic of 'buttering up'.
DO NOT ANSWER TOO QUICKLY: The committee likes to feel as though they have unique insight. Ponder the committees question/comment as if you are impressed with the complexity of their idea and couldn't possibly thought of it as a lowly grad student. I advise that you start responses with a covert compliment such as, "Yes, I have been grappling with (insert main concern here) since reading (other committee members research)......." Notice the covertness, the compliment is not directed to the person it is meant to butter up.
BE PREPARED: Jokes aside. The best way to ensure a positive experience with the committee is all in the preparation. Get the committee a well-written and detailed draft/report well ahead of time. I have found this has saved me from having to give a presentation at the meeting and resulted in the committee meeting being very productive and helpful, rather than stressful. Instead of questions resulting from the fact that they really have no idea what you're up to, you will receive valuable knowledge to better your thinking an writing. And most of all BE CONFIDENT...you know your work better than anyone!
VERY GLOSSY LIPS: This trendy look can be used to distract the committee. Sit strategically so you can reflect the light into the committee's eyes when they attempt to find the glaring error in whatever piece of work you have submitted to them.
COVERT COMPLIMENTS: The committee appears to enjoy having their achievement and extreme intelligence pointed out in front of their peers. Don't be too obvious as the committee appears to recognize the student tactic of 'buttering up'.
DO NOT ANSWER TOO QUICKLY: The committee likes to feel as though they have unique insight. Ponder the committees question/comment as if you are impressed with the complexity of their idea and couldn't possibly thought of it as a lowly grad student. I advise that you start responses with a covert compliment such as, "Yes, I have been grappling with (insert main concern here) since reading (other committee members research)......." Notice the covertness, the compliment is not directed to the person it is meant to butter up.
BE PREPARED: Jokes aside. The best way to ensure a positive experience with the committee is all in the preparation. Get the committee a well-written and detailed draft/report well ahead of time. I have found this has saved me from having to give a presentation at the meeting and resulted in the committee meeting being very productive and helpful, rather than stressful. Instead of questions resulting from the fact that they really have no idea what you're up to, you will receive valuable knowledge to better your thinking an writing. And most of all BE CONFIDENT...you know your work better than anyone!
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