Each entering graduate student will be assigned a provisional advisor. The provisional advisor is assigned based on the student’s interests and communications with faculty during the application processes. The provisional advisor may ultimately become the principal advisor (see below), but until a principal advisor is identified we encourage you to change provisional advisors as necessary to explore new opportunities, colleagues, and  areas of research. First-year graduate students should consult with their provisional advisor for any matters relating to their course of study or research goals.

By the end of the spring quarter in the first year each student needs to have their principal advisor identified and to be working with that advisor to identify a possible summer research project.