Advising & Mentorship

Incoming PiN students are each assigned to a member of the Student Advisory Committee, a small group of faculty committed to guiding students through the program from matriculation to graduation. Students are matched with an advisor with whom they have no other professional contact in order to ensure that the advising relationship is not influenced by the advisor's interests. If a conflict of interest arises at any point, students can request a different SAC advisor. SAC advisors take a holistic approach to advising on course selection, rotations, choosing a lab, research projects, mentorship in the lab, career development, and anything else of concern to their students.

While a student may meet with their SAC advisor at any time, PiN formally schedules individual advising meetings at specific intervals. First-year students are required to meet with their advisor in August, January, and July. Second-year students are required to meet with their advisor in September and January. Third-year students (and above) are required to meet with their advisor annually over the summer.

Students are encouraged to help set the agenda for these meetings and are asked to complete an Individual Development Plan (IDP) each year, which can help guide advising conversations.

After students pass their Preliminary Qualifying Examination, they are required to form a Dissertation Advisory Committee (DAC), comprised of three faculty members, in consultation with their thesis advisor. Typically the same faculty who served on the PQE committee will continue on the DAC. Any changes to the committee after the PQE must be approved in writing by the program director or associate director. At least one of the DAC members must be affiliated with PiN. One of the members may be external to Harvard. The DAC advises on project scope and timeline, elective courses, career development, mentorship in lab, and any project issues that may arise. Students are required to schedule formal DAC meetings at least once every 9 months through the end of their G5 year and every 6 months thereafter until the DAC feels they are ready to begin writing their thesis and "checks their box." DAC meetings are designed to guide students toward successful and timely completion of their PhD.