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| prelim [2018/04/05 22:08] – [Prelim Rules] deepthi | prelim [2023/10/23 19:53] (current) – [PRELIM RULES] egardiner |
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| ===== Prelim Rules ===== | ====== PRELIM RULES ====== |
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| The Prelim is an oral examination conducted by three members of the Department | This section summarizes and distills the department's official policy on the preliminary examination. The next section on this page contains advice from past graduate student's on tackling the prelim process. Please check the [[https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AXXY5OXicQGNIi7OKjoCD5HYGwQ8yNsiHXxJ_f6EVEo/edit?usp=sharing|8/8/2023 Student Handbook]] for official policy! |
| appropriate for the fields in which the student will be examined. The Exam | |
| may be taken at any time the student chooses, subject to the regulations | ===== Overview ===== |
| listed below. In setting the time of the Exam the student should consult | |
| the Department Chair at least one month in advance of the proposed date | The Prelim is an oral examination conducted by three members of the Department appropriate for the fields in which the student will be examined. It consists of three topics. Typically, each topic is allotted ~40 minutes of questions for a total of 2-3 hours (given breaks, discussion time, etc). Students can choose the committee and order in which the exams are administered. The Exam may be taken at any time the student chooses, subject to the regulations listed below. Per Grad Div policy, the Prelim rules are decided by the Astronomy faculty, whereas rules of the Qual (see below) are set by Grad Div. |
| concerning the topics and the Prelim Committee. | |
| The examination will be at the general level of the graduate core courses. | The primary purpose of the Prelim is for a student to master the fundamentals of a broad slate of topics in astrophysics. A student should speak comfortably, knowledgeably, and quantitatively about the topics tested and demonstrate that their level of understanding is sufficient to understand, and to place in context, a typical department-wide colloquium in astrophysics. Another purpose of the exam is to develop the skill of thinking on one’s feet: to perform rough but quantitative estimates in real time, on the board if necessary, and to reason using physics and mathematics. |
| Normally, the topics consist of three fields chosen from among the list | |
| of courses in the [[academic_rules:core|core curriculum]]. The student may | ===== Timeline ===== |
| choose to be examined in another topic at a comparable level of difficulty. | |
| Typically, the topics of a special topics class (AY 250) may be used as | Students must attempt the Prelim by the end of their 2nd summer at Berkeley. The timeline may be slightly different for transfer students and should be discussed with the HGA. The process for scheduling the Prelim is: |
| a preliminary exam topic. In the past, other topics have included: | |
| | - Fill out the prelim [[https://forms.gle/29kuKcsWox3cxp2x9|Google Form]], and get in contact with Yasasha to fill out the paperwork to schedule the prelim. |
| | - Arrange a meeting with the HGA to discuss Prelim plans. |
| | - Modify form as necessary. |
| | - HGA approves the Prelim Application. |
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| | The choice of topics and Prelim Committee members must be approved by the HGA at least 3 weeks in advance of the proposed date of the exam. It is recommended that students begin planning for their Prelim (e.g., asking committee members to serve) 1 semester in advance of their planned exam date. |
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| | ===== Topics ===== |
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| | Students select three topics, generally from their [[https://badgrads.berkeley.edu/doku.php?id=academic_rules:core|core courses]], though they may choose to be examined in another topic at a comparable level of difficulty, subject to HGA approval and the agreement of a senate faculty member to serve as an examiner. Occasionally, the topics of a special topics class (AY 250) may be used as an exam topic. Some non-standard topics have included: |
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| * Stellar Atmospheres | * Stellar Atmospheres |
| * Stellar Structure & Evolution | * Star Formation |
| * Stellar Dynamics & Galactic Structure | * Planetary Dynamics |
| * The Sun | * The Sun |
| The prelim is subject to the following rules: | * Stellar Populations |
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| - The prelim can be taken at any time before the end of the student's second year. The exam may be re-taken only once. Taking a course in the subject to be examined is not required. | Radiative Processes (C207) and Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics (C202) cannot both be used as prelim topics, on the grounds that a student is not tested on enough phenomenology. Other combinations (e.g., Star Formation and Interstellar Medium) may also be disallowed to ensure that the students develop breadth. The eligibility of a Special Topics course taught as Astro 250 will be reviewed by the faculty on a case-by-case basis. The instructor of the Astro 250 in question should announce at the beginning of the semester whether the course is eligible and what, if any, prelim topic combinations involving the course are prohibited. Courses taken outside of Astronomy are generally not eligible as Prelim topics. |
| - Any faculty member can be asked by a graduate student to administer the prelim exam. Unless that faculty member is on sabbatical or on ASMD (active service modified duties; typically parental leave), they are generally expected to serve. The composition of the prelim committee should be decided in discussions between the student and the relevant faculty, with oversight and advance approval by the head graduate advisor. | |
| - A prelim committee member need not have taught the class in the subject the student wishes to be examined in. Furthermore, the faculty member administering the exam is not obligated to model their questions after another faculty member's course. The spirit of this rule is that the Prelim is not just an "oral exam about 3 classes taken." The exam seeks to assess the ability of the student to conduct an intelligent conversation about astrophysics --- e.g., about galaxies, broadly construed. The questions asked can be of a broader scope than the material covered in a particular class. This kind of intellectual stretching is encouraged --- to become a capable researcher one has to "go beyond the problem set" and be receptive to all sources of information (e.g., seminars, conversations, and papers that are not formally part of a course but which are still fairly classified under the heading of "galaxies"). It is the responsibility of the prelim committee members, and in particular the chair of a given prelim committee, to decide whether the questions that are asked are fair. | |
| - Every graduate student who wants to take the prelim is required to fill out a form listing topics and examiners, to be approved by the head graduate advisor. The idea here is that the head graduate advisor can assess whether the proposed prelim is sensible, and consult the faculty as necessary if questions arise (e.g., whether certain Astro 250 Special Topics are permissible to use as prelim topics; whether certain combinations of topics are permissible; whether certain examiners --- non-Senate faculty --- can serve; whether an exception to the usual rule of three examiners can be made). This form is available from Dexter and should be completed in consultation with the head graduate advisor, well in advance of the actual exam. | |
| - Faculty members on sabbatical or ASMD can be asked to serve on prelim committees, but whether they agree to serve is at their discretion. Note that according to the UC Academic Personnel Manual, "an individual on regular sabbatical leave is excused from all regular duties to enable full-time effort to research and/or study." | |
| - In order to remain in the Department a student must pass the Prelim within six months after the end of the second academic year. | |
| - It is recommended, but not required, that the prelim committee members not include the student's research advisor, to avoid conflicts of interest. For example, the research advisor may have an interest in having the student pass, or find it awkward to fail the student; or the student and advisor may have a ready rapport and a practiced means of communication going into the exam, advantages not necessarily enjoyed by other students. However, this is a recommendation, not a requirement, as there are only so many instructors of core graduate classes. | |
| - Embargo policy: Questions asked in any given prelim are embargoed (they cannot be shared with other students) for three months following the exam. The purpose of this rule is to lessen the pressure on faculty to devise new questions in a short period of time. | |
| - The student must pass all three areas in order to pass the Examination. A pass is equivalent to the level of performance meriting a "B" grade on any of the graduate core courses. | |
| - The student selects one member of the committee to serve as the Chair of the Committee. This Chairperson is responsible for timing the examination and any necessary paperwork following the examination. The student selects the order in which the topics are examined. | |
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| The Student Affairs Officer maintains a comprehensive list of all topics and questions asked during the preliminary examination. Typically, each topic is alotted 40 minutes of questions for a total of two hours. | The student will select the order in which the topics are examined. |
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| Upon completion of the prelim, you can earn a master's degree. If receiving the degree immediately is important to you, you will need to file a form with the university at the beginning of the semester you want to receive your degree (e.g. February for a spring degree or September for a winter degree). See the [[prelim#post-prelim|post prelim section]] at the bottom for more details. | It is possible for students to take an upper level undergraduate version of a class and use that for the prelim. For example, taking undergrad stars could serve as the basis for a prelim. This is an exception to normal practice and should only be considered in very unusual circumstances. This exception must be approved by the HGA well in advance of taking the prelim and related classes. |
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| | ===== Committee ===== |
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| | Prelim committee members are usually drawn from all instructors of the core Astronomy graduate courses. They are usually, but not always, members of the Academic Senate. A student’s prelim committee member need not have been the student’s instructor for a core course. The student should ask one member to serve as chair. Faculty will make good faith efforts to accommodate requests to administer Prelim exams, but they may not be able to do so (e.g., sabbatical, conflicts, not sufficiently familiar with topic for purposes of the Prelim, personal reasons); in such cases another examiner must be located or a different topic should be pursued. It is important to ask potential committee members well in advance if they will be able to administer the Prelim. It is recommended that students begin planning their Prelim one semester in advance. |
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| | To avoid possible biases and conflicts of interest, it is strongly recommended, but not required, that the student’s major research adviser not serve on the Prelim Committee. This may be challenging to avoid if only a small number of faculty are available to administer the Prelim in a given period. In consultation with the HGA, alternate prelim committee members should be considered in such cases before adding a research advisor to the committee. A research advisor is not allowed to chair a student’s Prelim committee under any circumstance. |
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| | ===== Evaluation, Outcomes, Retakes ===== |
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| | Each exam is graded separately. The possible outcomes are: |
| | * Pass. Passing the Prelim means getting a pass in all three topical exams. A pass is equivalent to the level of performance meriting a “B” grade on any of the graduate core courses. |
| | * Contingent pass. A contingent pass is a type of full pass in which a student passes all portions of the exam, but the committee feels the student would benefit from an additional activity (e.g., teaching 7A for a semester). The committee then gives a pass that is conditional on the contingency (e.g., teaching) being satisfied. |
| | * Partial Pass. Partial passes occur when a student passes one or two of the exams only. A retake of the topics not passed is required. |
| | * Fail. A fail is when none of the individual topic exams receive a pass. A retake of all topics is required. |
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| | If a student does not receive a full pass on Prelim the first time, one additional attempt will be allowed. The 2nd exam will either be on the topic(s) not passed in the case of a partial pass, or on all exams in the event of a fail. The 2nd prelim exam should be taken a minimum of 2 months and a maximum of 6 months after the first attempt. If a student does not receive a full pass on the 2nd attempt, the chair of the exam committee and the HGA will discuss future options with the student. The department will recommend that the student be placed on academic probation if the Prelim is not passed on the 2nd attempt. A student must pass the Prelim within six months after the end of the second academic year. The presence of three faculty members on the committee is designed to ensure exam fairness. Faculty are obligated to report any misgivings about the fairness of the exam to the HGA (or Department Chair, Vice-chair, or Equity Advisor, in the event of a conflict). |
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| | ===== Questions ===== |
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| | Faculty will make a good faith effort to record questions during each Prelim. Following each exam, faculty will make a good faith effort to send questions transmitted to the GSAO for preserving the record. Note that for various reasons this will result in an exhaustive, but not necessarily complete list of questions. Questions will be available upon request once an entire cohort (e.g., all 2nd year students) have completed their Prelims (including retakes). Students are not allowed to informally share questions that are under embargo; this would be considered a violation of the University student code of conduct. |
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| | ===== Official Prelim Advice ===== |
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| | * Begin Prelim planning well in advance. It is recommended that planning begin 1 semester prior to the proposed exam date. |
| | * Schedule a Prelim exam time 2 months (or more) in advance. It can be hard to find a day and time that all committee members can make. |
| | * Set aside plenty of time to study without significant distractions. On the flip side, exam preparation can be tedious and may lead to burnout. Students may wish to alternate Prelim studying with research activities so as to mitigate burnout and not feel too disconnected from research. |
| | * Choose topics that are reasonably comfortable. They don’t necessarily have to be central to an intended area of research (e.g., a student may enjoy and do well in their stars class, even if their intended area of research isn’t related to stars). |
| | * Changing a topic may be necessary if an examiner cannot be found. Planning well in advance can help mitigate such concerns. |
| | * Prior to the Prelim, it is advisable, though not necessary, to meet one-on-one with faculty on the Prelim committee to ask questions and/or clarify their expectations for passing. |
| | * Ask fellow graduate students to administer practice Prelim exams. |
| | * Use Prelim questions from previous years as guidance. Note that while these questions can serve as guidance, there is no guarantee that actual exam questions will resemble previous years’ questions. Question construction and style can vary year to year, or within the same year, even for the same faculty member. Creating new, not seen-before questions gets increasingly challenging for faculty as more questions are made available for study and can lead to more creative questions. |
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| | ====== PRELIM ADVICE ====== |
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| ===== Past Prelims ===== | ===== Past Prelims ===== |
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| [[private:past_prelims|Click here]] for past prelim questions. | [[private:past_prelims|Click here]] for prelim questions until 2015. |
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| | [[private:past_prelims_post2015| Click here]] for prelim questions after 2015. |
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| ===== Advice ===== | ===== Advice ===== |
| [[prelim_lore:testimonials|Click here]] for advice on how to pass your prelim without going nuts. | [[prelim_lore:testimonials|Click here]] for advice on how to pass your prelim without going nuts. |
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| ===== Prelim Lore ===== | |
| | ===== Preparing for the Prelim ===== |
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| The prelim is an oral exam generally taken at some point during the second year (can be taken as late as December of your 3rd year). It's roughly a "master's exam," in that after passing it (and completing the required coursework), you can pick up your MA. (You can even walk in graduation if you like!) The exam covers three astronomy graduate courses of the student's choosing; each subject is given by a professor of the student's choosing and is 40 minutes long, for a 2-hour-long exam. | The prelim is an oral exam generally taken at some point during the second year (can be taken as late as December of your 3rd year). It's roughly a "master's exam," in that after passing it (and completing the required coursework), you can pick up your MA. (You can even walk in graduation if you like!) The exam covers three astronomy graduate courses of the student's choosing; each subject is given by a professor of the student's choosing and is 40 minutes long, for a 2-hour-long exam. |
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| ===== Preparing for the Prelim ===== | |
| ==== Choosing Topics ==== | ==== Choosing Topics ==== |
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| The prelim consists of three subjects; these almost always correspond to astronomy graduate courses. Most courses can be used as prelim topics, but there are several exceptions that you should know about. In case of doubt, talk to the Head Graduate Adviser (who, if also in doubt, consults the faculty as a whole). You are, in any case, required to complete a [[http://astro.berkeley.edu/uploads/form/1431985959-2ee67f0acf2bfafbf/Prelim%20Exam%20Application%20Form.pdf|prelim application form]] and obtain the Head Graduate Adviser's approval of your topics. | The prelim consists of three subjects; these almost always correspond to astronomy graduate courses. Most courses can be used as prelim topics, but there are several exceptions that you should know about. In case of doubt, talk to the Head Graduate Adviser (who, if also in doubt, consults the faculty as a whole). You are, in any case, required to complete a [[https://forms.gle/29kuKcsWox3cxp2x9|Google Form]] to decide your topics and obtain the Head Graduate Adviser's approval of your topics. |
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| Restrictions include: | Restrictions include: |
| * You can't take a prelim in both ISM (216) and Star Formation (Steve Stahler's 250) (too much overlap) | * You can't take a prelim in both ISM (216) and Star Formation (Steve Stahler's 250) (too much overlap) |
| * Most seminars (250 classes) can't be used for prelims | * Most seminars (250 classes) can't be used for prelims |
| * Physics courses generally can't be used for prelims, with possible exceptions | * Physics courses generally can't be used for prelims, with possible exceptions |
| | * Starting in 2019, the undergrad course Astro C161 is sufficient background for the cosmology prelim. Physics 229 may also be taken for the cosmology prelim, although it is more advanced and focuses more on research. |
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| Prelim topics do not need to be topics that you plan to concentrate on in your thesis. Some people use the prelim as opportunity to become fluent in their research area, but others use it as a chance to study a topic that they would never otherwise learn in great detail. The choice is yours. | Prelim topics do not need to be topics that you plan to concentrate on in your thesis. Some people use the prelim as opportunity to become fluent in their research area, but others use it as a chance to study a topic that they would never otherwise learn in great detail. The choice is yours. |
| When choosing a committee, you also have to ask one of the members to be chair. The responsibilities of the chair are: | When choosing a committee, you also have to ask one of the members to be chair. The responsibilities of the chair are: |
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| * To take care of general administration (this includes picking up your case folder from Dexter's office before the exam, and dropping it off afterward) | * To take care of general administration (this includes picking up your case folder before the exam, and dropping it off afterward) |
| * To make sure that questions are well-posed and fair | * To make sure that questions are well-posed and fair |
| * To enforce time limits (40 minutes per topic) | * To enforce time limits (40 minutes per topic) |
| * To establish consensus among committee members about the outcome of the exam | * To establish consensus among committee members about the outcome of the exam |
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| While the chair does have the above duties, in practice he or she acts just like the other committee members and has no additional authority. | While the chair does have the above duties, in practice they acts just like the other committee members and have no additional authority. |
| ==== Organizing the Exam Day ==== | ==== Organizing the Exam Day ==== |
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| You are responsible for coordinating all the logistics of your exam, which includes asking people to serve on your committee, finding a date and time that works for everyone, and reserving a room. Because professors schedules tend to be rather full, it's worthwhile to begin asking people to serve on your committee 2-3 months in advance and to set up a date as soon as you've chosen your committee. If you plan on taking your prelim during the summer, you should start even earlier than this, since some people go away for large parts of the summer. | You are responsible for coordinating all the logistics of your exam, which includes asking people to serve on your committee, finding a date and time that works for everyone, and reserving a room. Because professors schedules tend to be rather full, it's worthwhile to begin asking people to serve on your committee 2-3 months in advance and to set up a date as soon as you've chosen your committee. If you plan on taking your prelim during the summer, you should start even earlier than this, since some people go away for large parts of the summer. |
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| Once you've arranged for a date and time, you need to book a room for the exam. This can be done with Mark. Most prelims occur in Room 419, Room 501B, or Room 219. You should book the room for at least an extra half hour after your exam, to give the committee time to talk with you afterwards and to give you time to clean up. | Once you've arranged for a date and time, you need to book a room for the exam. Most prelims occur in Room 419, Room 501B, or Room 219. You should book the room for at least an extra half hour after your exam, to give the committee time to talk with you afterwards and to give you time to clean up. |
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| You also need to let Dexter know your prelim date, so that she can prepare the appropriate paperwork. She will put an assessment sheet inside your file, for your committee to sign after the exam. After the exam, she will send you a paper that needs to be filed with the university in order to be issued the masters degree. | You also need to let the department administators know your prelim date, so that they can prepare the appropriate paperwork. They will put an assessment sheet inside your file, for your committee to sign after the exam. After the exam, they will send you a paper that needs to be filed with the university in order to be issued the masters degree. |
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| The only paperwork you need to complete before the exam is the prelim application form which can be found [[http://astro.berkeley.edu/uploads/form/1431985959-2ee67f0acf2bfafbf/Prelim%20Exam%20Application%20Form.pdf|here]]. | The only paperwork you need to complete before the exam is the prelim application form which can be found [[https://forms.gle/29kuKcsWox3cxp2x9|here (Google Form)]]. |
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| ==== Study Materials ==== | ==== Study Materials ==== |
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| Most people study from some combination of the following: class notes, flash cards, and previous prelim questions. Class notes are especially useful if the professor administering a certain topic is the same one who taught you that topic. If not, it is also useful to borrow class notes from someone who did take the course with that professor. Flash cards can be helpful as well, since during the prelim, you'll be expected to have most constants and equations at your fingertips. You should definitely look at previous prelim questions while studying. Dexter has two binders of these in her office (going back to the 1970s!). These can be borrowed essentially indefinitely. A [[private:Past Prelims|wiki version]] is under construction. Studying generally occupies the better part of the month prior to the exam. [[prelim_lore:testimonials|Click here]] for tips and advice from specific students. | Most people study from some combination of the following: class notes, flash cards, and previous prelim questions. Class notes are especially useful if the professor administering a certain topic is the same one who taught you that topic. If not, it is also useful to borrow class notes from someone who did take the course with that professor. Flash cards can be helpful as well, since during the prelim, you'll be expected to have most constants and equations at your fingertips. You should definitely look at previous prelim questions while studying. The administators have two binders of these in their office (going back to the 1970s!). These can be borrowed essentially indefinitely. A [[private:Past Prelims|wiki version]] is under construction. Studying generally occupies the better part of the month prior to the exam. [[prelim_lore:testimonials|Click here]] for tips and advice from specific students. |
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| ==== The Day Before ==== | ==== The Day Before ==== |
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| The day prior to your exam there are two things you should do: remind your committee and buy food. Your committee members will likely not remember the exact date, time, and location of your prelim, so you can avoid a little confusion by sending them a subtle reminder email. It's also nice to ask if they have any specific food preferences. (You can also ask your fake committee for professor-specific food recommendations.) Don't forget to get/make food for your committee; they expect to be fed! Most people bring snack food, healthy and otherwise, and some juice. | The day prior to your exam there are three things you should do: remind your committee, buy food, and ask Amber to put your folder together. Your committee members will likely not remember the exact date, time, and location of your prelim, so you can avoid a little confusion by sending them a subtle reminder email. It's also nice to ask if they have any specific food preferences. (You can also ask your fake committee for professor-specific food recommendations.) Don't forget to get/make food for your committee; they expect to be fed! Most people bring snack food, healthy and otherwise, and some juice. Also email Amber to let her know that you're taking your prelim so she can put your folder for the chair. |
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| * Upon answering a question correctly **do not** proceed to volunteer additional information to make yourself look smart. This will inevitably lead to trickier questions and more detailed nitpicking. Plus, you can very easily be //wrong//! | * Upon answering a question correctly **do not** proceed to volunteer additional information to make yourself look smart. This will inevitably lead to trickier questions and more detailed nitpicking. Plus, you can very easily be //wrong//! |
| * Bring a water bottle. Talking for two hours makes you thirsty. | * Bring a water bottle. Talking for two hours makes you thirsty. |
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| ===== Testimonials ===== | ===== Testimonials ===== |
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