Checklist for MLIS Mentors (DRAFT)
Diversity Recruitment and Mentoring Committee
UCLA Department of Information Studies

1.                   Make sure you have mentee’s

• Full name
• Address
• Phone No.
• E-mail
• Place of employment

2                     Be sure you contact your mentee IMMEDIATELY to introduce yourself.  For those mentoring applicants, please FOLLOW UP in May/June to review admission results.

3.                   Have at least one :face-to-face meeting. It can be at their worksite, your library, or in a neutral place like a restaurant.

4.            In order to get a better picture of your mentee’s situation, here are some questions to ask

• What is your educational background?
• What work experience in libraries or other information work do you have?
• How much and what kind of support does your employer provide in continuing your education?
• What are your goals?
• Do you already have some career plans?
• Do you have a timetable?
• Do you foresee any obstacles in continuing your education?

5.       Frequently Asked Questions

• Who is the contact person within the Department?
• General questions should be directed to Susan Abler abler@gseis.ucla.edu (310) 825-5269
• For areas of subject expertise, see specific faculty webpages and contact each directly.
• Are there information sessions to learn more about applying to the IS program?  For schedule, please contact Susan Abler abler@gseis.ucla.edu (310) 825-5269
• What grade point average (GPA) do I need? Check Admission Requirements website. http://is.gseis.ucla.edu/admissions/index.htm#mlisrequire
• How and when do I take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)?  Check GRE Online  <http://www.gre.org/>
• Can one attend part time? Yes.
• What is the size of the teaching faculty? Refer to Department’s website. http://is.gseis.ucla.edu/
• How many students are admitted each year?  Refer question to Susan Abler abler@gseis.ucla.edu
• http://is.gseis.ucla.edu/faculty/index.htm
• If your mentee is not accepted into the program
• be encouraging and supportive
• suggest to your mentee to contact Susan Abler for further information and to review the decision.
• ask mentee to call back and review options

6.       Important websites to know

• UCLA Department of Information Studies http://is.gseis.ucla.edu/
• Application request form http://is.gseis.ucla.edu/admissions/adminform.htm
• Scholarships.  See for example: Resources listed by DRMC http://www.gseis.ucla.edu/faculty/chu/drmc/resources.html  Also check professional associations and foundations.

5/6/01