{"id":2999,"date":"2026-03-27T17:24:37","date_gmt":"2026-03-27T17:24:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/cis\/?page_id=2999"},"modified":"2026-03-27T21:13:05","modified_gmt":"2026-03-27T21:13:05","slug":"faqs-phd-students-summer-ras","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/cis\/faqs-phd-students-summer-ras\/","title":{"rendered":"FAQs on Summer RAs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n\n                    \n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--accordions \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--accordions\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n      <div class=\"header-container\">\n\n                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--section-title\">\n\n    \n  <h2>\n          FAQs from PhD Students about Summer RAs\n      <\/h2>\n\n\n<\/div>\n      \n      \n      \n    <\/div>\n  \n      <ul>\n              <li>\n          <button type=\"button\" class=\"accordion-trigger \" id=\"heading-1-1-LJbSlKWoR3\" aria-controls=\"section-1-1-LJbSlKWoR3\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-disabled=\"false\">\n                          <span class=\"item-title\">What is the purpose of the summer research assistantship program?<\/span>\n            \n                      <\/button>\n\n          <div id=\"section-1-1-LJbSlKWoR3\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"heading-1-1-LJbSlKWoR3\" class=\"accordion-panel\">\n\n                            \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--rich-text \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--rich-text\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n      \n<div class=\"f--field f--wysiwyg\">\n\n    \n  <p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The program is designed to support graduate students in deepening their research training, building new methodological or theoretical skills, and advancing progress toward the dissertation. It also provides an opportunity to collaborate with faculty beyond (or in addition to) the dissertation chair, when appropriate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n            \n                      <\/div>\n        <\/li>\n\n              <li>\n          <button type=\"button\" class=\"accordion-trigger \" id=\"heading-1-2-LJbSlKWoR3\" aria-controls=\"section-1-2-LJbSlKWoR3\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-disabled=\"false\">\n                          <span class=\"item-title\">Who is eligible to apply?<\/span>\n            \n                      <\/button>\n\n          <div id=\"section-1-2-LJbSlKWoR3\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"heading-1-2-LJbSlKWoR3\" class=\"accordion-panel\">\n\n                            \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--rich-text \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--rich-text\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n      \n<div class=\"f--field f--wysiwyg\">\n\n    \n  <p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This award is available to POIR PhD students in years 2\u20136 as of August 2026 who will be enrolled in fall 2026. Students graduating in summer 2026 are not eligible for the award. You must be in good academic standing who have made sufficient progress toward your degree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n            \n                      <\/div>\n        <\/li>\n\n              <li>\n          <button type=\"button\" class=\"accordion-trigger \" id=\"heading-1-3-LJbSlKWoR3\" aria-controls=\"section-1-3-LJbSlKWoR3\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-disabled=\"false\">\n                          <span class=\"item-title\">How should I choose up to three potential faculty supervisors?<\/span>\n            \n                      <\/button>\n\n          <div id=\"section-1-3-LJbSlKWoR3\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"heading-1-3-LJbSlKWoR3\" class=\"accordion-panel\">\n\n                            \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--rich-text \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--rich-text\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n      \n<div class=\"f--field f--wysiwyg\">\n\n    \n  <p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You are encouraged to identify faculty whose research aligns with your interests and whose expertise will help you develop specific skills you want to gain.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You are not expected to already have a close relationship with all listed faculty. However, it is strongly recommended that you review their recent publications or projects and reach out briefly (if appropriate) to gauge fit or availability. Listing faculty is not a commitment, but a signal of possible fit and feasibility.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you cannot identify up to three possible matches, be sure you are thorough in describing your skills and goals so that we can make a match for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n            \n                      <\/div>\n        <\/li>\n\n              <li>\n          <button type=\"button\" class=\"accordion-trigger \" id=\"heading-1-4-LJbSlKWoR3\" aria-controls=\"section-1-4-LJbSlKWoR3\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-disabled=\"false\">\n                          <span class=\"item-title\">Is it okay if my proposed supervisor is not my dissertation chair?<\/span>\n            \n                      <\/button>\n\n          <div id=\"section-1-4-LJbSlKWoR3\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"heading-1-4-LJbSlKWoR3\" class=\"accordion-panel\">\n\n                            \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--rich-text \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--rich-text\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n      \n<div class=\"f--field f--wysiwyg\">\n\n    \n  <p>Yes. In fact, one goal of the program is to broaden your mentorship network. However, your dissertation chair <a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/forms\/d\/e\/1FAIpQLScS7IvgAeEK8tvQ8jx0WDpLuUl0m0PHZLtLzNxAqtQrMen4_Q\/viewform?usp=sharing&amp;ouid=111095307656806958319\">must endorse your application<\/a>, and the proposed work should complement (not derail) your dissertation progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n            \n                      <\/div>\n        <\/li>\n\n              <li>\n          <button type=\"button\" class=\"accordion-trigger \" id=\"heading-1-5-LJbSlKWoR3\" aria-controls=\"section-1-5-LJbSlKWoR3\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-disabled=\"false\">\n                          <span class=\"item-title\">What should I include in my description of skills and interests?<\/span>\n            \n                      <\/button>\n\n          <div id=\"section-1-5-LJbSlKWoR3\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"heading-1-5-LJbSlKWoR3\" class=\"accordion-panel\">\n\n                            \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--rich-text \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--rich-text\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n      \n<div class=\"f--field f--wysiwyg\">\n\n    \n  <p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your statement should clearly address:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What you want to learn (methods, theory, tools, collaborations)<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why these skills matter for your dissertation and career goals<br \/>\nHow the assistantship will help you acquire them<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Strong proposals move beyond general interests (\u201cimprove research skills\u201d) and specify concrete goals (e.g., \u201cgain experience in mixed-methods data analysis,\u201d \u201cdevelop archival research skills,\u201d \u201clearn a specific software or technique\u201d).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n            \n                      <\/div>\n        <\/li>\n\n              <li>\n          <button type=\"button\" class=\"accordion-trigger \" id=\"heading-1-6-LJbSlKWoR3\" aria-controls=\"section-1-6-LJbSlKWoR3\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-disabled=\"false\">\n                          <span class=\"item-title\">How detailed does my proposal need to be?<\/span>\n            \n                      <\/button>\n\n          <div id=\"section-1-6-LJbSlKWoR3\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"heading-1-6-LJbSlKWoR3\" class=\"accordion-panel\">\n\n                            \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--rich-text \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--rich-text\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n      \n<div class=\"f--field f--wysiwyg\">\n\n    \n  <p>Your proposal should be specific enough to demonstrate feasibility and alignment with faculty expertise, but it does not need to be a full research plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n            \n                      <\/div>\n        <\/li>\n\n              <li>\n          <button type=\"button\" class=\"accordion-trigger \" id=\"heading-1-7-LJbSlKWoR3\" aria-controls=\"section-1-7-LJbSlKWoR3\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-disabled=\"false\">\n                          <span class=\"item-title\">Do I need to contact potential faculty supervisors before applying?<\/span>\n            \n                      <\/button>\n\n          <div id=\"section-1-7-LJbSlKWoR3\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"heading-1-7-LJbSlKWoR3\" class=\"accordion-panel\">\n\n                            \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--rich-text \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--rich-text\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n      \n<div class=\"f--field f--wysiwyg\">\n\n    \n  <p>This is not always required, but it is often beneficial. A brief email expressing interest and sharing a short summary of your proposal can help confirm alignment and availability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n            \n                      <\/div>\n        <\/li>\n\n              <li>\n          <button type=\"button\" class=\"accordion-trigger \" id=\"heading-1-8-LJbSlKWoR3\" aria-controls=\"section-1-8-LJbSlKWoR3\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-disabled=\"false\">\n                          <span class=\"item-title\">What is the role of the dissertation chair in this process?<\/span>\n            \n                      <\/button>\n\n          <div id=\"section-1-8-LJbSlKWoR3\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"heading-1-8-LJbSlKWoR3\" class=\"accordion-panel\">\n\n                            \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--rich-text \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--rich-text\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n      \n<div class=\"f--field f--wysiwyg\">\n\n    \n  <p>Your dissertation chair must complete an <a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/forms\/d\/e\/1FAIpQLScS7IvgAeEK8tvQ8jx0WDpLuUl0m0PHZLtLzNxAqtQrMen4_Q\/viewform?usp=header\">endorsement form<\/a> confirming that the proposed assistantship aligns with your academic progress and the scope is appropriate for your stage in the program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n            \n                      <\/div>\n        <\/li>\n\n              <li>\n          <button type=\"button\" class=\"accordion-trigger \" id=\"heading-1-9-LJbSlKWoR3\" aria-controls=\"section-1-9-LJbSlKWoR3\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-disabled=\"false\">\n                          <span class=\"item-title\">When should I ask my dissertation chair for endorsement?<\/span>\n            \n                      <\/button>\n\n          <div id=\"section-1-9-LJbSlKWoR3\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"heading-1-9-LJbSlKWoR3\" class=\"accordion-panel\">\n\n                            \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--rich-text \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--rich-text\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n      \n<div class=\"f--field f--wysiwyg\">\n\n    \n  <p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You should share a draft of your proposal with your chair in advance of the deadline to give them adequate time to review.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n            \n                      <\/div>\n        <\/li>\n\n              <li>\n          <button type=\"button\" class=\"accordion-trigger \" id=\"heading-1-10-LJbSlKWoR3\" aria-controls=\"section-1-10-LJbSlKWoR3\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-disabled=\"false\">\n                          <span class=\"item-title\">What happens if my chair does not submit the endorsement on time?<\/span>\n            \n                      <\/button>\n\n          <div id=\"section-1-10-LJbSlKWoR3\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"heading-1-10-LJbSlKWoR3\" class=\"accordion-panel\">\n\n                            \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--rich-text \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--rich-text\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n      \n<div class=\"f--field f--wysiwyg\">\n\n    \n  <p>Applications may be considered incomplete without the required endorsement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n            \n                      <\/div>\n        <\/li>\n\n          <\/ul>\n  \n  \n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--rich-text \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--rich-text\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n      \n<div class=\"f--field f--wysiwyg\">\n\n    \n  <p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Email <a href=\"mailto:cis@dornsife.usc.edu\">cis@dornsife.usc.edu<\/a> with any additional questions.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>The Center for International Studies is committed to ensuring equity in its mission to support scholarship in international studies.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":110,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-content-detail.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2999","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.1.1 - 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