Your committee can make or break your experience as a grad student. To this end, here are a few suggestions and thoughts to ponder while you assemble your thesis/dissertation committee.

Choose Wisely

Shortlisting members can be daunting. This process can be reined in by considering three important factors:

• How relevant is the person’s research/profile to your current topic? This helps you determine how they can help you reach your goals and how detailed their analysis and criticism is going to be.
• How reputed are they in the particular subfield that you work in? This information not only helps you better promote your work elsewhere but also brings legitimacy to your research, which is critical as a young scholar.
• Most importantly, how do they get along with you and your advisor? This is often overlooked but unless there is an amicable dynamic, creativity and inquiry can be stifled.

Be Prepared

Before approaching a potential committee member, it would be immensely helpful to have a dossier of important information, such as a brief summary of your research objectives, your proposed strategy to reach your objectives, your Curriculum Vitae as well as a short note on why them joining your dissertation committee would be a mutually beneficial endeavor.

This not only shows them that you are dedicated and meticulous, but also gives them a bird’s eye view of your entire proposal.

Work with your Advisor

The best way to start your search for committee members would be talking to your advisor and getting them involved in the process from the beginning. They usually ensure that they can find the best possible fit for the project and are in a much better position to contact other professors and convince them to join your committee.

Start Early

Depending on the particular area of research, it is possible that there may be certain professors who are highly coveted. Since they can only accommodate so many students, approaching them early is key to ensure that you get them on board your committee.

Enrolling them early also means they may be more accommodating regarding thesis defense dates. This can turn into a huge issue toward the end of your project, and it is best to avoid scheduling clashes.

While no two students’ experiences are the same, and by no means does all of the above apply to every individual, these are some of the lessons I have learned. I look forward to hearing from you guys, if you have anything to add.