MMUF-SSRC Proposal Writing and Dissertation Development Seminar

Building on the institutional strength of the SSRC as a pioneer in graduate student training, and on the mentoring component that distinguishes MMUF, the Mellon Mays Graduate Initiatives Program implemented a series of programs that target the specific needs of fellows as they progress toward the PhD. The first of these programs is the Proposal Writing and Dissertation Development Seminar (PWDDS), which strategically supports graduate students in their third through sixth years.

The PWDDS offers fellows opportunities for intensive exchange and feedback on work at two critical stages of graduate training: firstly, during the proposal writing process when students focus on formulating intellectually sound proposals which lend themselves to completion in a reasonable time frame and are competitive in fellowship contests; and secondly, during the dissertation-writing process, when the quality of data organization, synthesis and analysis is most essential. The proposal-writing and dissertation tracks take place in parallel during the week-long seminar, and participants are selected through a competitive application process. Significant time is allotted for individual work, and fellows present their projects to their respective groups several times. Fellows find that this intensive seminar is an ideal setting in which to receive collegial critique and feedback. Each past participant reports making significant progress on the dissertation project as a result of the work completed during the PWDDS, with over 90% later reporting having successfully defended their proposals or completed their dissertations in a timely manner.

- See more at: http://mmuf.contextdevel.com/graduate-students#sthash.6rw8byQy.dpuf