A prospective student’s first interaction with POIR is generally through the admissions process.  The Graduate Advisor, Veridiana Chavarin, manages the admissions process and puts prospective students in touch with the faculty whose research interests they share.  For certain questions, prospective students can also directly contact the POIR Director, Professor Saori Katada of the School of International Relations.

Very soon after beginning the program, students need to identify a faculty advisor.  This person will be crucial to helping the student develop a course of study, think through a dissertation topic, navigate the bureaucracy and the world of outside fellowships, and generally develop a plan for success.

Students also sit for mandatory academic advising at the conclusion of each semester. This helps to ensure a smooth transition to later stages of the program and that students are aware of relevant policy changes. Students also meet with their faculty advisor at the end of every term to obtain approval for the specific courses they want to take the following semester.