Questions to ask on a graduate school interview
Going out to a graduate school interview or visit can be very hectic and stressful. Often you are unsure what to ask about a program to get the information you want or need. These questions are designed to give you ideas about what to ask.
Ask the current students:
Do you like the program?
Are you glad you came?
What are your frustrations and financial worries?
Is the living situation good?
What is the average length of time for each degree?
What is the faculty attitude?
How supportive is the environment?
What has been the success of graduating students finding post-doc positions or jobs?
Ask the specific students in the lab you are looking at:
Do you like the lab environment?
How is working with fellow students?
What is the laboratory atmosphere?
How available is your advisor?
Do you think you are getting good education and training?
Are you comfortable with your advisor?
Ask about the program or to the person you are interviewing with:
What is the quality of life like here?
Do most students finish the program?
How safe is the area?
What is the tenure status of the professors?
Do students have to take outside jobs?
How are students funded?
Are there are past students I can talk with?
If this is not at an institution that requires me to teach, where can I get teaching experience?
This advice was given to Megan Scanlin by a former college professor. It does not reflect the views or ideas of the University of Texas, UTMSI or the UTMSI GSA.
Here are some useful links:
Admissions
http://www.utexas.edu/student/admissions/Office of Graduate Studies
http://www.utexas.edu/ogs/GRE/TOEFL
http://www.ets.org/Graduate School Rankings (U.S. News)
http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/beyond/bcrank.htmCareers in Marine Science (Mote Marine Laboratory)
http://www.marinelab.sarasota.fl.us/careers.phtml
