#  Program 

 



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## **Advising** 

Satisfactory academic progress in the department requires mentorship by a member of the departmental faculty who serves as the student’s primary advisor. All incoming students have a confirmed primary mentor. Continuity of the mentoring relationship requires mutual agreement of mentor and mentee. Either may initiate a change of primary mentorship. When concerns arise, consultation with the DGS is encouraged.

If a student is without a primary mentor, they should promptly contact the DGS for consultation. Students should work to identify new potential mentors immediately, and to confirm a new primary mentoring relationship within two months. After that period they may be withdrawn from the program for unsatisfactory progress.

## **Expectations for Satisfactory Academic Progress** 

 Satisfactory academic progress at different phases of the PhD includes a variety of milestones as outlined on this site. In addition, students are expected to:

- Have regular, substantive meetings with the primary advisor (ordinarily no less frequent than every two weeks).
- Be responsive to communication from the advisor and committee.
- Participate regularly in laboratory or research‑group activities (e.g., lab meetings, project meetings).
- Submit new or revised research work with regular cadence.
- Meet with the full dissertation committee at least annually after it is formed to discuss progress to date on dissertation research and writing

**Useful Links**

[Harvard Griffin GSAS Policies](https://gsas.harvard.edu/policies) - information about registration, degree requirements, codes of conduct, financial aid, fellowships, leave of absence, withdrawal, and much more

[Academic Calendar](https://gsas.harvard.edu/policy/academic-calendar)

[My.Harvard](https://www.my.harvard.edu/) - view your current and past course enrollment, grades, advisors, and degree progress (milestones), as well as the current academic year course catalog

[Harvard University Student Health Program](https://hushp.harvard.edu/)