Perhaps the most difficult decision in the graduate school application process is the part that’s supposed to be the most exhilarating: those late winter/early spring months when the response letters from graduate schools start to trickle in and that big decision on where to attend must be made.   Going to the mailbox several times a day’”even stalking the mailperson’”might become an awkward reality.

Though that part of your process may seem like it’s on the distant horizon, trust me, once the applications are out of your hands and you can breathe a sigh of relief, the time flies by, and soon enough you’ll have a nice little pile of decision letters to sift through.   You can make the best of this period between deadlines and decisions by doing some further research on the schools on your list: get in touch with current students to get the real scoop on what the program is like.

I’ve learned from faculty and students alike that the best way for prospective students to get the “real deal” on a program is to meet up with current students enrolled in the program.   From my experience, I agree wholeheartedly.   Current students will often give you the most unfiltered, honest input and have valuable advice having gone through the application and admission process themselves.   Many program websites have a list of their graduate students and their e-mail address, sometimes with a little “blurb” on their scholarly interests.   When I was inquiring about my current program, I selected five or six students from the list with similar interests to mine and sent them all the same e-mail.

Most grad students will be happy to answer your questions, but know that opinions may very based on their experiences’”so it’s nice to get feedback from at least a few students to get a feel for the department.   Plus, from what I know of grad students, our lives are perpetually hectic, so if you don’t receive a response from someone, don’t take it personally’”just try someone else.

I found that it was best to ask about both the pros and cons of the department very generally, which allowed for a range of very helpful responses.   Of course, if you have specific questions, don’t be afraid to ask.

Here are a handful of questions you might consider asking a current student:

  • What are the faculty-student interactions like, both inside and outside the classroom?   Who have been your favorite faculty members to work with?
  • What is the scholarly atmosphere of the department like for graduate students?   (Cutthroat and competitive, supportive and easygoing, or some shade in between?)
  • What is the cost of living in (fill in the blank with name of city where school is located)?   If you receive a stipend from the school, how comfortably can you survive on it?

There are dozens of sub-questions that can stem from these basic queries, from the LGBTQ-friendliness of the school (and city)* to where you can find adequate housing to fit your budget.

Remember that decisions must be made for most programs by April 15th’”the universal deadline for most graduate programs.   With that deadline in mind, you can set up appointments to meet with current students in the program, faculty, and get a feel for the campus.   And on a practical level, begin seeking out housing, especially if there is no official school-provided graduate housing offered on campus.

*Note: The “queerness quotient” is something I will write a more detailed post about, since it is likely something to consider when choosing where to study, work, and live!

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As a full-time graduate student, Rachel blogs about her experiences living on a modest monthly stipend, and hopes to provide some useful advice for surviving the graduate school process’“both financially and emotionally.

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