What to Look for in a PhD University

It’s finally fall*! For enthusiastic, bright-eyed undergrads and working professionals wanting another go at research and university life, it’s time to start applying for grad school. Before we get into the thick of the application process, it’s important to realize how many things there are to think about when picking a graduate program. It’s not as simple as “oh that’s such a good school!” or “s/he has some really cool projects!” Let’s dive right in: here’s what to look for in a PhD program!
*In Houston, fall doesn’t exist. It’s still 80-90F and humid as can be. UGH.

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First things first – diligence on subject area and professors

This one should be obvious, but look for a university with PhD programs in the field you’re interested in. That seems like obvious advice, but dig below the surface level. It’s not just “I want to study X STEM or Y Humanities field, this is graduate school. The subtopics matter. E.g. for me, you can have a great biomedical engineering PhD program without extensive 3D printing expertise, but that would be a bad program match for me.

Examine the professors at those schools too. If you take only one thing from this paragraph, let it be this – Don’t apply to a university that has only one professor you want to work for. Don’t do it! There are no guarantees in grad school. You can head this off by thoroughly researching the professors in the departments you are interested in, and further by reaching out to those professors. It would be such a shame to commit to a university only to find out your favorite PI isn’t taking students that year. NOW WHAT?! You need a (or several) backup(s). Sometimes those professors won’t respond. Don’t take that personally; they’ll take note of the fact that you reached out but don’t always have the time to (or they aren’t supposed to) respond.

On to deeper topics

Once we’ve moved past the obvious, we need to get into the things that you may not hear from the departments trying to woo you. Here’s the real list of what to look for in a PhD program.

Cost of living and competitiveness of salary

Hey, guess what? You have to live on your graduate stipend unless you supplement with another job. Is the stipend at that department / university competitive? How does it compare to other schools? Similarly, how does the cost of living compare? These should be some of the first questions when considering where to attend.

Is the town/city fun to live in?

Again, this doesn’t have so much to do with the campus as with the location. You’ll be spending 5 years or more in your PhD program. May as well pick a place that’s enjoyable to live in. Talk to students about their favorite things/places around town.

Are the students on campus happy? Is the campus social?

Some pure academics will detest this notion, but I feel that campus culture is just as important during your PhD as in undergrad from a quality of life standpoint. Is there an organized graduate student council/association/etc. at that university? Do they plan social events and advocate for graduate student needs? Grad school, particularly during a PhD, can be extremely isolating. Part of the reason I’ve been able to accomplish what I have so far is being involved in a supportive, friendly, and energetic graduate student community. I wouldn’t have lasted through the toughest times of my PhD thus far without that.

Do students on campus have the support and resources they need?

A university without adequate – to – exceptional career and health (mental, physical, etc.) resources is a university I won’t be pursuing my PhD at. Research the school ahead of time. Ask current students when you go for recruitment about campus resources. Is the career center useful? Is there on-campus dining and a gym? These aren’t necessary for everyone (e.g. I cook all of my meals), but as a student body leader, I’ve seen these concerns raised time and again.

Are graduate students a priority or an afterthought?

Let’s face it – some schools are primarily undergrad schools. Intentional or not, resources are aligned to primarily facilitate undergrad learning and development. Even at schools with massive undergrad populations, grad students should still have access to necessary resources. That isn’t to say that you can’t have a very successful PhD career there. Just talk to current students and see if they feel valued by the school for more than just the number of papers they publish.

Let’s pause here for now!

There are a thousand other things to consider in a PhD university, but these should give a good primer. Have thoughts you’d like to add, or enjoy reading this post? Please add a comment below. Catch the other posts in this series at the links below! A HUGE thank you to PhD Diaries for helping me on these posts, and to Academic Chatter for helping to promote them. These discussions are SO important. The time spent in your PhD can be some of the most formative of your entire life. Invest in the planning on the front end, make a great choice, and never look back!

Sean

Catch up on the other posts in the “What to Look for in a PhD” Series below!

Overview: How to Pick a PhD Program
1) What to Look for in a PhD University (this post)
2) What to Look for in a PhD Department
3) What to Look (Out) for in a PhD Advisor
4) What to Look for in a Lab Partner (bonus post)

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