Grad school success hinges on finding your perfect match 
Having an advisor you work well with is a necessity for success in graduate school, but what makes a good advisor? There are definitely general attributes that are desirable, but to have a truly successful advisor relationship, each student must find someone who matches their own unique personality, goals and work habits.
When it comes to choosing a suitable advisor, students have specific needs. For example, Doctoral students have different concerns than students who are only receiving a master's degree. Some decided to get their degree but aren't particularly committed to a specific area of research, while others are more committed to a research agenda than completing the degree itself. Having all these variables, it is important to seek out an advisor who can provide the type of support you need.
You have to decide if you would like a mentor who provides personal as well as professional guidance and friendship, or that is not a necessity for you. Otherwise, you would rather have an advisor who can introduce you to the research community, provide advice about research topics or give you feedback on your thesis.
• What Do You Want in an Advisor?
Prior to begin graduate school, it's important that you spend time figuring out exactly what you're looking for in an advisor - the more clearly you understand your needs the better able you will be to chose a suitable advisor.
Arrange a common list that you can share with a potential mentor in order to find out if they are a good fit for your particular needs. While knowing yourself is essential, you have to ask yourself some questions:
- What do you want out of your graduate education?
- What level of independence do you thrive in?
- What sort of encouragement and critique do you need?
Students surveyed believe it is important that students and their advisors share the same level of motivation for their research. Think about how hard you are willing to work and are you as committed to your work as the advisor who spends weekends and holidays in the lab and expects grad students to do the same?
Once you analyzed what your specific needs are, how do you go about finally choosing an advisor? You can just get good information on what it is like to work with a particular professor by talking to fellow students who have worked with him or her. Also try to get to know some of the professors at department picnics, seminars and other formal or informal gatherings.
| 
