Factors to Consider Before Committing to a PhD Program

[Mascarita]

Hey everyone, 

The University of Michigan Ann Arbor recently gave me an offer of admission in their PhD program in English Language and Literature (yay!), with a great financial package and a fellowship. I plan to visit the campus during the welcome weekend, and I also plan to see how the rest of my applications pan out before committing. However, I do have an arranged phone conversation with the Director of Graduate Studies for this upcoming Monday, who is offering to answer any questions I may have about the program.

I am wondering if there are any commonly-asked questions (aside from more obvious questions, like living costs, financial packages, etc.) that I might want to consider asking the DGS. Or, more broadly, any other important, yet commonly overlooked factors I ought to consider before accepting. What's important to me, which I think would fall under potentially overlooked factors to consider when weighing my options, includes: seeing reading lists related to my research interests; opportunities to do certificate programs; mental health services offered through the University/healthcare plan; and if there is an activist culture there amongst the graduate students. 

Overall, the program looks like a great fit for my research interest (I think I am already able to identify possible advisors), and I am so pleased to have received this offer! Admittedly, I'm very new to this process, so I thought I'd publish this post to hear any insights some of you might have. Alternatively, if there is another post that answers these types of questions, I would appreciate it if someone could direct me there. 

Thanks!

[lazaria]

Congratulations!

Questions I asked a DGS recently include:

1. Can I attend a class when I visit?

2. Can he describe the foreign language requirement? (That particular department's requirements were a little confusing on their website). 

3. Can he speak to which of my classes from my MA at a different institution will transfer? 

4. How big does he anticipate the cohort being? 

5. What is the average class size? 

6. Outside of my area, what are the department's strengths? Do they see themselves making any hires in the new future? 

7. What formal relationships does the department have with local libraries or other institutions? 

8. Is it likely that most PhD students finish their work in five years? Is there a possibility of a sixth year of funding? 

9. When I am on campus, can I meet with x, y, and z professor? 

10. Does the health care cover dependents? 

11. Can they contribute toward the cost of my airfare and hotel? 

Hope this helps!

[ProfLorax]

Scroll down a bit, and viola: 

 

[rising_star]

FWIW, I wouldn't ask the DGS about living costs as they are likely not in the same financial position as you would be. Instead, I would wait and ask those questions to graduate students in the department once I arrived for the visit.

[BellaBendrix]

2 hours ago, Mascarita said:

Hey everyone, 

The University of Michigan Ann Arbor recently gave me an offer of admission in their PhD program in English Language and Literature (yay!), with a great financial package and a fellowship. I plan to visit the campus during the welcome weekend, and I also plan to see how the rest of my applications pan out before committing. However, I do have an arranged phone conversation with the Director of Graduate Studies for this upcoming Monday, who is offering to answer any questions I may have about the program.

I am wondering if there are any commonly-asked questions (aside from more obvious questions, like living costs, financial packages, etc.) that I might want to consider asking the DGS. Or, more broadly, any other important, yet commonly overlooked factors I ought to consider before accepting. What's important to me, which I think would fall under potentially overlooked factors to consider when weighing my options, includes: seeing reading lists related to my research interests; opportunities to do certificate programs; mental health services offered through the University/healthcare plan; and if there is an activist culture there amongst the graduate students. 

Overall, the program looks like a great fit for my research interest (I think I am already able to identify possible advisors), and I am so pleased to have received this offer! Admittedly, I'm very new to this process, so I thought I'd publish this post to hear any insights some of you might have. Alternatively, if there is another post that answers these types of questions, I would appreciate it if someone could direct me there. 

Thanks!

I also got an offer and their DGS sent me a really nice email offering to solve doubts and stuff. I was very nervous about what to answer, as I am still waiting for other options, so I hope my answer didn't come off as too cocky or something. Did they mention the possibility of having a member of the faculty or a current grad student contacting you?

 

[thepriorwalter]

I owe you a reply to a PM, and I would say this there, but you put your reading list together. There aren't a set of defined reading lists. So you can ask something else in place of that.  

[aGiRlCalLeDApPlE]

Does anyone here happen to have, or know how to get, the "financial package google doc" that some gradcafe members did a couple of years ago? Thanks

 

[ProfLorax]

1 hour ago, Rose Egypt said:

Does anyone here happen to have, or know how to get, the "financial package google doc" that some gradcafe members did a couple of years ago? Thanks

 

 

[unræd]

No doubt these things are already on your list (and are also questions to ask students near to completion), but seriously press them on placement, time to degree, attrition, and funding options beyond the years stipulated in your offered package.

[Mascarita]

On 2/19/2016 at 1:03 PM, ProfLorax said:

Scroll down a bit, and viola: 

 

Wow, fantastic! Thanks so much! 

[Mascarita]

On 2/19/2016 at 3:36 PM, thepriorwalter said:

I owe you a reply to a PM, and I would say this there, but you put your reading list together. There aren't a set of defined reading lists. So you can ask something else in place of that.  

This is good to know. Thank you!

And no worries about owing me a reply

[Mascarita]

On 2/19/2016 at 2:58 PM, BellaBendrix said:

I also got an offer and their DGS sent me a really nice email offering to solve doubts and stuff. I was very nervous about what to answer, as I am still waiting for other options, so I hope my answer didn't come off as too cocky or something. Did they mention the possibility of having a member of the faculty or a current grad student contacting you?

 

First off--congratulations! I think the DGS offered me a similar email, in that he offered to talk with me about any questions I may have. I'm in the same boat, still waiting for other options yet still enthusiastic about the program there. The email the DGS sent me did mention to keep an eye out for an email (or phone call) from a faculty member and a grad student to talk about the program. A faculty member has been in touch with me, but I haven't yet heard from a grad student!  

[Mascarita]

On 2/19/2016 at 0:59 PM, lazaria said:

Congratulations!

Questions I asked a DGS recently include:

1. Can I attend a class when I visit?

2. Can he describe the foreign language requirement? (That particular department's requirements were a little confusing on their website). 

3. Can he speak to which of my classes from my MA at a different institution will transfer? 

4. How big does he anticipate the cohort being? 

5. What is the average class size? 

6. Outside of my area, what are the department's strengths? Do they see themselves making any hires in the new future? 

7. What formal relationships does the department have with local libraries or other institutions? 

8. Is it likely that most PhD students finish their work in five years? Is there a possibility of a sixth year of funding? 

9. When I am on campus, can I meet with x, y, and z professor? 

10. Does the health care cover dependents? 

11. Can they contribute toward the cost of my airfare and hotel? 

Hope this helps!

Thank you! So far, Michigan has done a great job anticipating most of these questions and providing most of these answers in the acceptance letter (and additional attachments to the acceptance letter). But, I think these are good questions to keep at the forefront as a general rule of thumb! 

[KhiCompLit]

I'm invited to visit USC after acceptance (with a good package they are offering). They have been very kind in their correspondence so far however I've been accepted at Oregon and almost accepted (hopefully) at UT Austin off the wait-list and also waiting to hear from 4 programs but it is really difficult to decide and I feel unsure as to what factors to take into account very decisively. Could anyone give some advice please? These are Comp Lit Programs.

Edited February 22, 2016 by KhiCompLit

[heliogabalus]

I don't think there's an exact formula, but I'd look at standard of living in relation to money being offered (and teaching requirements), location, and placement. I feel like USC's reputation has been rising rapidly in the last 10 years, so that might be something to consider. 

[Anghellix]

Congratulations to both of you, Mascarita and BellaBendrix.  

[KhiCompLit]

18 hours ago, heliogabalus said:

I don't think there's an exact formula, but I'd look at standard of living in relation to money being offered (and teaching requirements), location, and placement. I feel like USC's reputation has been rising rapidly in the last 10 years, so that might be something to consider. 

Thanks for this. Yes, it has been rising. At the same time, LA is expensive I'm sure. Oh well. I don't know, hopefully it'll be easier eventually

[heliogabalus]

It may have changed now, but I went to UT and it was very easy to live cheaply there. (16,000 might feel like 26,000 in LA, plus I think it's the most fun city in the US). But check out placements and the direction the department is going in. I know a friend who took a job at USC (in Art History) was very impressed with the resources and vision of the school.

[KhiCompLit]

14 hours ago, heliogabalus said:

It may have changed now, but I went to UT and it was very easy to live cheaply there. (16,000 might feel like 26,000 in LA, plus I think it's the most fun city in the US). But check out placements and the direction the department is going in. I know a friend who took a job at USC (in Art History) was very impressed with the resources and vision of the school.

Waiting for a few other schools and hopefully it will be sorted, thanks. 

[__________________________]

On 2/20/2016 at 11:43 AM, unræd said:

No doubt these things are already on your list (and are also questions to ask students near to completion), but seriously press them on placement, time to degree, attrition, and funding options beyond the years stipulated in your offered package.

I think these are some of the most important questions you can ask, regardless of funding package, rank, etc.  Also ask about how advising works in the program, particularly during your years in course work.  These are questions I didn't think to ask about and really should have.  

[KhiCompLit]

On 3/2/2016 at 7:34 AM, mollifiedmolloy said:

I think these are some of the most important questions you can ask, regardless of funding package, rank, etc.  Also ask about how advising works in the program, particularly during your years in course work.  These are questions I didn't think to ask about and really should have.  

Thanks =)

[BellaBendrix]

On 19/2/2016 at 3:43 PM, Mascarita said:

Hey everyone, 

The University of Michigan Ann Arbor recently gave me an offer of admission in their PhD program in English Language and Literature (yay!), with a great financial package and a fellowship. I plan to visit the campus during the welcome weekend, and I also plan to see how the rest of my applications pan out before committing. However, I do have an arranged phone conversation with the Director of Graduate Studies for this upcoming Monday, who is offering to answer any questions I may have about the program.

I am wondering if there are any commonly-asked questions (aside from more obvious questions, like living costs, financial packages, etc.) that I might want to consider asking the DGS. Or, more broadly, any other important, yet commonly overlooked factors I ought to consider before accepting. What's important to me, which I think would fall under potentially overlooked factors to consider when weighing my options, includes: seeing reading lists related to my research interests; opportunities to do certificate programs; mental health services offered through the University/healthcare plan; and if there is an activist culture there amongst the graduate students. 

Overall, the program looks like a great fit for my research interest (I think I am already able to identify possible advisors), and I am so pleased to have received this offer! Admittedly, I'm very new to this process, so I thought I'd publish this post to hear any insights some of you might have. Alternatively, if there is another post that answers these types of questions, I would appreciate it if someone could direct me there. 

Thanks!

Let us know how the visit goes!!! Any impressions will be appreciated!