Selection begins in the 1st semester and is finalized at the start of the 2nd semester. The application form is formally submitted at the start of the 2nd semester, once the official notice arrives from the Graduate School.
1st Semester (Early)
Exploration Phase
Take courses with faculty
Explore research interests
Individual faculty meetings
Preliminary consultation (informal)
1st Semester (Late)
Preparation Phase
Refine research topic
Informally confirm with advisor
Draft research proposal
2nd Semester (Beginning)
Application & Decision Phase
Official notice arrives
Submit Form F-01
Department review
Committee resolution
2nd Semester (Mid-term Onward)
Progress Phase
Written result notification
Advising relationship begins
Research in progress
(Change: start of semester)
Timing
Key Activity
Responsible Party
1st Sem., Early
Exploration + Preliminary Consultation (Informal)
Student ↔ Full-time Faculty
1st Sem., Late
Prepare draft research proposal
Student
2nd Sem., Beginning
Notice received → Application submitted → Department review → Committee resolution → Result notified
Student → Department → Academic Affairs Committee
Change: Start of Semester
Advisor change application (processed with selection season)
Student → Graduate School form
Applications must be submitted only after the official notice arrives from the Graduate School. Applications submitted before the notice will be treated as provisional and converted to formal procedure once the notice arrives.
② Schedule by Admission Term
Check the schedule that matches your admission term
Stage
Spring Admits (March)
Fall Admits (September)
1st Sem., Early — Exploration & Consultation
March – May
September – November
1st Sem., Late — Research Proposal Preparation
June (through summer break)
December (through winter break)
2nd Sem., Beginning — Application & Decision
Late August – September
Late February – March (following year)
2nd Sem. — Result Notification & Progress
September – December
March – June (following year)
Change Application Period
Start of every semester
Start of every semester
Selection application and decision take place at the "start of the 2nd semester" for all students. For Fall admits, the application point falls in the following spring (March).
Transfer students must complete advisor selection within their admission semester per Article 11①-2 of the Operating Regulations.
Ⅰ Advisor Selection Process
Selection proceeds through 6 steps
Each step has a clearly defined timing and responsible party. Every step is documented and retained.
1
Exploration
1st Semester, Early
Responsible: Student
Take courses with full-time faculty and explore research interests
Determine research direction through individual faculty meetings
Draft an initial direction for the thesis topic
▶ Decide "what to research" first — not "whom to follow"
2
Preliminary Consultation (Informal)
1st Semester, Early–Late
Responsible: Student ↔ Prospective Advisor
Informally discuss research topic with prospective advisor
Informally confirm advising availability
This stage is consultation only — not binding until approved by the Department
▶ Preliminary consultation is informal — not binding until approved by the Department
3
Prepare Draft Research Proposal
1st Semester, Late
Responsible: Student
Draft research proposal based on preliminary consultation
Contents: research topic · methodology · advisor fit · research timeline
Form: Department Standard Form F-01 (department office / website)
▶ Use the break to thoroughly prepare the research proposal
4
Submit Application
2nd Semester, Beginning — After Graduate School notice
Responsible: Student → Department (Department Chair)
Once the Graduate School notice arrives, the Department announces the application schedule
Complete Form F-01 and formally submit to the Department (Department Chair)
Direct submission to faculty is not permitted
Submissions without the form or informal requests are not accepted
▶ Submit to faculty ✕ │ Submit to Department ✓ │ Only accepted officially after the notice
1Fit between the research topic and the advisor's expertise
2Advising capacity and research conditions
3Balanced operation of department education and research
4The advisor's research capability and advising experience in the given topic
Ⅱ Advisor Change Procedure
Changes are processed at the start of the semester
Application Form Guide — The advisor change application uses the Graduate School standard form. The Department does not issue a separate form; please obtain it from the Graduate School website or administrative office.
1
Need for Change Arises
Responsible: Student
Misalignment with major due to a change in research direction
Fundamental mismatch in advising style or research topic
Other reasonable and objective grounds
▶ Change is an exceptional procedure — sufficient grounds are required
2
Apply Using the Graduate School Form
Start of semester
Responsible: Student → Department (Department Chair)
Obtain Graduate School standard form (website or administrative office)
Complete and formally submit to the Department (Department Chair)
Contents: reason for change · prospective advisor · relevance to major · preliminary consultation
▶ Must be submitted in writing using the Graduate School form