happy I'm here

I'm a bit hesitant about Rice, too. I contacted some of the grad students there, and I thought everyone might want to know what I found out. Some were really positive, but others were not. They indicated that since the department is quite small, the grad students take most of their courses with undergrads and that the department doesn't offer advanced statistical and methodological courses (they have two basic stats classes and a qualitative class, but that's about it). They also said that since the program is so new, they haven't finalized or even developed processes for area exams, and other requirements. It sounded like the faculty are making stuff up as they go along. Maybe that's what is to be expected from a new program. One student indicated that the offical program documentation states that students should finish the degree in 5 years, but that adequate time for area exam preparation, masters thesis defense, etc., isn't figured in. I guess it's a joke among the grad students that anyone could actually finish in 5 years. I guess they keep adding new requirements to the program as well--probably because it's new and no one really knows what they are doing yet. For some grad students, the ever evolving program is fine, but it really bothered others who were trying to plan out their futures. Overall, I got the sense that attending such a new program would be fine for someone who can tolerate a lot of ambiguity. Unfortunately, I am not that person--I appreciate clarity, especially with something as important as grad school. One of my concerns is that students indicated that the faculty weren't very forthcoming about how the newness of the program might impact students. I hope they will be candid during the visit. I was also concerned that the majority of their first cohort have either left the program or are strongly considering transfering out of the program. Ouch! Doesn't sound promising.

I heard that students at Rice are having some problems with the new PhD program (most grad classes crosslisted with undergrad classes, advisors who are too busy to work with students, etc.). Has anyone heard anything? I'd love to have more information in order to questions good questions during the recruitment visit . . .