Page 1 of 1

How to choose the right fit graduate program?

Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2022 10:38 am
by FuturePhD
Some of the profiles posted here indicate multiple graduate school acceptances. My question to those applicants: How will you choose which school to attend? The programs to which I was accepted are ranked similarly and will give similar support. Thus, what I am now considering are the "human" aspects of the department.
I feel my best chance of succeeding in graduate school is if I feel comfortable in the department, which I think means that I need to ascertain whether my potential advisor is a good mentor and if the department is friendly and inclusive. How does one learn those aspects of math programs?
If any current Math graduate students are reading this post, perhaps you can weigh in too on what your current program is like, what applicants should consider, and what you wish you'd considered when choosing a graduate program? Thank you for any feedback and best of luck to all of you.

Re: How to choose the right fit graduate program?

Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2022 11:59 am
by defen
At least four prospective advisors who are a good research fit, ideally in multiple areas of interest. Some profs are difficult to get along with once you know them better. If your preferred area is number theory or algebraic geometry, there's a greater possibility that you're not good enough to do graduate-level work (speaking from personal experience here, unfortunately) and having backup options is even more important.

Climate preferences.

Urban/rural preferences.

Cost of living.

Re: How to choose the right fit graduate program?

Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2022 3:29 pm
by bxbdhdj
defen wrote:
Tue Jan 25, 2022 11:59 am
At least four prospective advisors who are a good research fit, ideally in multiple areas of interest. Some profs are difficult to get along with once you know them better. If your preferred area is number theory or algebraic geometry, there's a greater possibility that you're not good enough to do graduate-level work (speaking from personal experience here, unfortunately) and having backup options is even more important.

Climate preferences.

Urban/rural preferences.

Cost of living.
Totally agreed with these points. One more point: grad students in the department also matter. You would want to choose a department where there are some or many others working in similar area so that you can have some peers to talk to. After all you cannot see your advisor every day/week but you can certain talk to your friends frequently.

from someone who's studying in a department where not many students work in the same field:(