DAC Meetings

After passing the PQE, students are required to form a dissertation advisory committee (DAC) comprising at least three faculty members, typically the same faculty who served on your PQE committee, but substitutions may be made in consultation with your advisor and the program director. Any changes to your committee after the PQE must be approved in writing by the program director or associate director and reported to the program administrator. At least one committee member must be affiliated with PiN; one member may be external to Harvard. Students are required to designate a DAC chair who will be responsible for leading the meetings and submitting DAC reports to the program.

Scheduling & paperwork
Students are required to schedule their first DAC meeting within 9 months of passing the PQE. Subsequent meetings must be held at least once every 9 months through the end of the G5 year and at least once every 6 months thereafter, unless the DAC recommends meeting more frequently. Students should start the scheduling process at least 8 weeks before each meeting deadline and are required to notify the program administrator when they have confirmed a date with their committee.

Students are required to share a 1-2 page project summary with their committee and the program administrator at least 48 hours prior to each meeting, addressing scientific background, questions, progress, problems/issues, and future aims. Students are responsible for ensuring their DAC chair sends a report to the program administrator following the meeting. These two documents become part of their official student record.

Meeting format
DAC meetings typically last two hours. The general format is as follows: 1) the DAC meets with the student while the PI steps out; 2) the DAC meets with the PI while the student steps out; 3) the student gives a presentation on their project to date, including a brief summary of scientific background, problems/challenges, and future aims, everyone discusses, and the DAC makes recommendations. The DAC meeting is NOT an examination. It serves several purposes: (a) to give students and PIs feedback on the research project; (b) to identify and address any challenges; (c) to make sure students are making timely progress toward graduation. The DAC may also advise on elective courses and career development.