Dear Student:

Now that you have completed the initial assessment, the next step is to make an appointment to see your mentor. To prepare for this meeting we suggest that you print out a copy of your responses to the open-ended questions and scores you gave yourself on the initial assessment (available under the 'View Completed Forms' link above.). This should make it easier for you to share your views with your mentor.

Exactly how you choose to approach the conversation you have is of course up to you, but here are some questions you may want to consider:

• Using the responses to your open-ended questions, tell your mentor more about your background, how you might determine the approach you'll take to your research and any concerns you have about the research.
• Discuss with your mentor the strategy you are considering for conducting your research and for dealing with any problems that may arise. Ask your mentor if he/she agrees with your approach or would like to suggest some other possibilities.
• The initial assessment displayed a diverse range of knowledge and skills associated with conducting research. Select some of the outcomes you consider most useful to your research project and ask your mentor if he/she agrees (and why).
• What knowledge and skills does your mentor think you should particularly strive to master in light of your academic and employment plans? Consider letting your mentor know in advance of your meeting what you hope to get out of your discussion. This could include one or more of the questions listed above, and/or other issues that you would like to discuss. A brief email that explains your interests could save a lot of time when you and your mentor meet.