Questions for Shapiro Mentors

A Guide to Your Meeting with a Potential Shapiro Summer Research Mentor:

Questions about the PROJECT:

  • Is IRB needed? Will it be approved by summer?
  • Is the project ongoing or new?
  • Does the project have a clear hypothesis or is it explorative? What are the expected outcomes?
  • Is the scope appropriate for a summer project? What is the potential for continuation past the summer?

Questions about your ROLE:

  • What is expected of you: daily tasks and responsibilities, specific skills? Any trainings you need to complete?
  • Who will supervise you on a daily basis?
  • Is the work mostly independent or team effort?
  • When and how long are you expected to work? Time commitment and schedule?
  • Is it likely you will be involved in a publication or presentation of the project?

Questions about the MENTOR:

  • When is the mentor available? What is his/her/their communication style?
  • What is her/his/their experience in mentoring students?

Other questions to think about:

  • Do you have any other summer plans that your research mentor needs to know about?
  • What do you need to be successful in the summer? How can your mentor help?
  • Are there shadowing or other non-research enrichment opportunities available?
  • Is the mentor planning to mentor 1 or 2 students in the summer?