Any questions you wished you'd asked while touring a Graduate program?

[CBG321]

I'm pretty sure I have all the basics in mind to ask about.  Program stats, what they look for in a student, confirming cost and other details.  Is there anything obvious or random that I'm not thinking of?  I'm doing a lot of tours this next month to see which programs are a good fit.

 

Thanks!

[lexical_gap]

I've been on both sides of this situation as a prospective SLP graduate student and as a current SLP graduate student.

 

These are some questions I either asked or have been asked:

- Why did you choose to attend School X?
- What is something you like about School X and what is something you wish you could change?
- What is your class / clinic schedule?

- Did you have to make up any classes once you got here?  (Since each school has different requirements for entry, students who completed their undergrad elsewhere may be asked to complete additional coursework.  Every year at my school, there are one or two students who are surprised that they have to take an additional class to cover something that wasn't part of their undergraduate experience.)

- Why did you choose or not choose to write a thesis?
- What scholarships, fellowships, or other funding opportunities are available for grad students in the department?

- How do you get involved in a research lab?

 

- What class do you find the most challenging and why?

- How much time do you spend preparing for clinic?

- What is the most challenging part of grad school and why?

Edited June 2, 2015 by lexical_gap

[CBG321]

Thank you!  I totally would have forgotten to ask about the class/clinic schedule.  I knew I was forgetting some no-brainer Q's!  That question could be a tie breaker if i'm lucky enough to have a number of choices when the time comes

[jpiccolo]

Find out about externship opportunities, do people try to work part time, do people commute/where do people live, how many clients do you start with

[SLPosteriorCricoarytenoid]

The above questions seem like great things to ask. At one of my interviews, I asked the head of the department what sets their program apart from other programs in the region. She was a little surprised when I asked it, judging by her expression (I was accepted here so I think my very straightforward question didn't hurt!). I think this is a great question to ask. Not only should graduate programs interview you, but you should interview them to find out what makes their program better than the rest! Also, the department head seemed very happy to answer the question and gave a lot of great support for the program!

 

Lastly, if you get the chance to visit with current graduate students, don't be afraid to ask them for their perspectives on the strengths and weaknesses of the program. Getting the perspective of current students can provide you with a lot of information that faculty may not tell you. I found it very useful to speak to graduate students when I was visiting for interviews. They are usually very candid and not afraid to give you the inside scoop on what they consider to be strengths and weaknesses. If you're interested in doing a thesis, it would also be useful to ask grad students how much support they feel they get from their thesis advisors! A bad thesis advisor can make life very difficult (so I hear). 

[Shamrock_Frog]

I always asked the current grad students if there is anything they wished they had known about before starting at X University. I always had a great discussion afterwards.

[CBG321]

Thank you these are all awesome questions!  Any advice on how to get in touch with Graduate students?  I know for a few meetings/tours I won't be in touch with them but feel like they will have the most candid reviews of the program!