Current students should post about the pros/cons of their department

[Waggenerwheel]

Let's give current prospectives (and hopefully prospectives in years to come) some idea of what our departments are like. We should make an effort to post both the pros and the cons. 

In looking upon the information we provide, prospective students should keep in mind that complaints are going to come more naturally/be easier to voice, and that this will select a bit for people who are more critical of their departments (ex: like how online reviews can have a bias toward being more critical, since people who are unhappy are more likely to complain). 

[Duns Eith]

1 hour ago, Waggenerwheel said:

Let's give current prospectives (and hopefully prospectives in years to come) some idea of what our departments are like. We should make an effort to post both the pros and the cons. 

In looking upon the information we provide, prospective students should keep in mind that complaints are going to come more naturally/be easier to voice, and that this will select a bit for people who are more critical of their departments (ex: like how online reviews can have a bias toward being more critical, since people who are unhappy are more likely to complain). 

I guess this is helpful, but it seems that the anecdotes and interpretations might allow for low inter-rater reliability. Consequently, I don't see a reason to create some patchwork of a handful of some grad student opinions.

[Waggenerwheel]

Sure, but I feel like it's still better than nothing. My hope is that it'll take on and become more helpful over the years, even if there isn't much material this year. 

[Bird Vision]

I believe this topic is much better suited (and would be much more relevant) for specific fields. Departments in grad school are essentially independent, and a student's perspective of their Accounting department will not be beneficial for another student in Social Work, for example.

[Sigaba]

MOO, this thread is not a good idea. For current graduate students, the thread is an opportunity for CLMs. (It is exceedingly unlikely that one can post detailed information about a program or a department without also putting a thumbtack on a map that says "I am here." It would not take much effort for a vindictive member of the faculty or staff to change that thumbtack to a bullseye.)

For aspiring graduate students, the thread is an opportunity to mistake rumor for hard, verified information. The thread is also an opportunity to build a bad habit--saying/writing anonymously things that one would not say in person.

IMO, better opportunities for sharing information on this BB are available in long-running threads centering around lessons learned, supplies, and logistics. This BB has a significant number of posts in which experienced graduate students share tips on how to get up to date information on a department that is more reliable and with less risk.

YMMV.