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Students often have a number of questions about conference attendance particularly if this is their first conference.
Yes! Particularly if you have not attended a research conference before, you can get a feel for what it's like. You can also support other students who are presenting by attending their sessions and viewing their posters.
Your proposal will be accepted if you follow the instructions, submit before the deadline, and if your title and abstract are comprehensible. You are encouraged to submit well in advance of the deadline so that, if there is a problem with your submission, we can contact you and rectify the problem.
This is really a matter of personal preference and of your development as a scholar. Many students like poster presentations because they do not have to stand up in front of a group of people and there is more one-on-one interaction. On the other hand, an oral presentation is over with more quickly! Talk with your faculty sponsor about which presentation format would be better for you.
There is no "minimum" amount of data that you need for your presentation to be accepted. It is okay if you continue to collect data after you submit your proposal, but keep in mind that the deadline for conference submissions is very close to the date of the conference.
If you are presenting, show up at the right time and the right place, and have some fun with your presentation. Use it as a learning experience. Attend other presentations and go to poster sessions too. You can pick and choose what you want to see. You may want to attend your friends' presentations to support them, but also look for presentations on research that you personally find interesting. We highly recommend that you attend the Friday night banquet and keynote speech and the presentation by our distinguished speaker on Saturday. Also use the opportunity to chat with students and faculty at other institutions.
There is no dress code for the conference (but please dress!). Some students will wear everyday casual clothing, just as they would attending class. Other students prefer to dress professionally, in business attire or "business casual." If you are presenting, you may feel more comfortable and more confident if you are dressed professionally.
Please be respectful of your fellow conference attendees. Use your common sense about what behaviors are appropriate. When attending an oral presentation session, please turn off your cell phone or pager and give your full attention to the speaker. Please do not enter or exit from an oral presentation room while a presentation is in progress; wait for the applause at the end before entering or exiting. Presenters at poster sessions and oral presentations appreciate questions, especially encouraging and thoughtful questions. Any criticisms or concerns you have about someone's research can be phrased in a respectful and supportive manner. If you found someone's research interesting or if you were impressed by a poster or presentation, tell that person so!