Identify potential faculty members to contact

• Choosing a professor you have a professional relationship with
• (either through a previous class or prior research) is a great option.
• Additionally, if you're in a program with a capstone course or a similar final requirement, this professor is a good option to consider..
• If you don't know a professor who you'd like to work with, that's okay! Do your research about them and know what their responsibility will be.

• If you have not yet identified a professor - here are some suggestions:
  • Go to the department page and research faculty profiles listed. Then take a deeper look at research descriptions, publications and previous undergraduate student research assistants listed (use faculty/group webpage, LinkedIn, search journal publications in library databases)
  • Reach out to your Faculty Advisor listed in Orange Success – ask them to recommend potential faculty you could reach out to
  • Reach out to the Honors Core Faculty member in your school or college for recommendations

• Sometimes professors aren't able to act as a Thesis Advisor or Reader. It's a good idea to have a couple of backup options in mind so you have a plan if this is the case.

Prepare materials and information for your meeting

1. Before your meeting, you should have a general idea about what your thesis project will entail. It would be worthwhile to take a look at the Junior Thesis Proposal before your initial meeting with faculty.
2. Be prepared to answer questions about Honors Faculty Thesis Advisor expectations. Should the faculty have any further questions- your Honors Advisor is happy to answer those questions:

• • • Faculty Thesis Advisor: Acts as the main point of contact, feedback and support throughout the thesis project process. The Faculty Thesis Advisor must be full-time faculty in the area of study for the thesis. They are identified at the outset, approving the Junior Thesis Proposal, and providing feedback and support throughout the research and writing process. FTAs also provide key feedback on draft submissions.
    • Thesis Reader: Acts as a second source of feedback and support, specifically reading and commenting on initial and final draft submissions. The Thesis Reader is not required to be full-time faculty; they must be a subject matter expert, able to comment on the content of the thesis project.

• As part of this planning, it's a great idea to set some initial goals and a loose timeline with deliverables that you can communicate with faculty (i.e. I'll meet with the Honors librarian by x date and get back to you, etc.).
• Know key thesis information (i.e. difference between and FTA and a TR, where timelines are found, etc.) and reach out to your Honors Advisor if you have questions!

Reach out to the faculty member and describe your thesis idea/interests

• Once you've identified a faculty member who you'd like to contact, it's time to actually do it!
• We recommend you contact professors either via email or during their office hours, that way they also have time to prepare for your meeting.
  • PLEASE DO NOT send a generalized email to a list of professors.

• Email is typically not a good medium to ask a faculty to be your thesis advisor. It's typically more effective to do so in a meeting.

• If you're emailing a professor, it is important to setup a follow-up meeting in-person/on Zoom to discuss the details of your project.
• Be prepared for the conversation. Be ready to present your ideas/interest in a concise way but also be prepared for faculty feedback.