Decision day is fast approaching. Which graduate school should you choose. By Prof. Jillian Goldfarb

Prof. Jillian Goldfarb writes:

Decision day is fast approaching. Which #graduateschool should you choose?

This decision should not based only on school name or rank. There's a balance between personal and professional considerations.

A #PhD in #stem is not about the school. It’s about the #research.

This decision needs to be personal. It requires you to truly understand what you want out of this degree.

Ask yourself these critical questions, and be honest with yourself about the answers:

?? Did your potential #advisor show interest in you? Recruit you directly? Or are they indifferent to whether you come or not?

?? Do you understand the program’s requirements? Does it have the right balance of coursework, research, milestones and experience that you need for your #career?

?? ♂? Are the resources you need to do the work available? Is the project funded, or will you waste time searching for materials and #lab space?

?? How did it feel when you spoke to current students? Was it warm and welcoming or difficult to see yourself working with these people? Your grad cohort will be your support network.

?? Are current students thriving? Did recent alums find jobs? What help and advising is available for post-PhD success?

?? Does the offer include enough funding for you to live comfortably? It's okay to struggle in the lab. It's NOT okay to struggle to pay rent.

No one can make this decision for you. Listen to your gut. Where will you be the best supported? Where will you get to do your best science?

If the offer doesn't feel right, don't take it. Sure, you can leave a program or transfer, but it's difficult.

It's better to take another year - enhance your CV - and reapply (remember, this is a numbers game, and your number will change constantly) than to start down a path that's not for you.

Author: Prof. Jillian Goldfarb

Associate Professor of Biological & Environmental Engineering, Cornel University