What you need to know about graduate school

Black Collegian, Oct 2000 by Rovaris, Dereck J Sr

I. What do you wish you had known before you started graduate school?

Thompson: In hindsight, I wish that I had known that as a graduate student it is okay to say `no.' Graduate school can be a very rewarding experience, but it can also be an extremely stressful process. As a student, I wanted to gain multiple experiences and take advantage of as many opportunities as possible. I therefore frequently agreed to take on tasks that I actually did not have time for. I believe that there is an unwritten rule in graduate school that there can be political ramifications for not taking on a task that a professor has asked of you. Throughout my graduate career, I don't think anyone ever told me that it is okay to simply say no.

Simien: I wish that I had known about the high attrition rate for African-American students, faculty, and staff at my university. I wish that I had known more about the department and its faculty in terms of research, placement of graduate students on the market, and rank. I wish that I had known more about the department's history with AfricanAmerican students. Are AfricanAmerican students passing qualifying exams and completing the program? What do the numbers look like?

Turner: One word comes to mind-- politics. I was warned that academia was a highly political arena, but nothing prepared me for the level of political games that I encountered. Akin to politics is competition. I failed to realize that when I entered into graduate school, I had to compete with the cream of the cream. I soon discovered that people did not inquire about your grades on an examination to assist you on subsequent examinations. Most wanted to compare their grades to determine where they stood in relation to a person of color. I subconsciously knew that they felt the people of color were allowed into graduate school because of their race and not their intelligence. Finally, I was not aware of the level of dedication that it takes to pursue a graduate degree. I would go to class and work as a graduate assistant during the day and study and write papers until about 3 a.m. I spent my weekends in the library with tons of other students trying to absorb as much knowledge as possible. Graduate school requires that one be focused and not wavering in their desire to finish.

II. What would you tell a prospective graduate student about graduate school?

Thompson: Do your homework. Find out all that you can about your department and the university before you begin the program. Ask questions about the faculty and their areas of interest to find out which faculty share your research interests. Inquire about the department's retention rate for African-American students. Seek out available avenues for support within and outside of the department including the types of financial aid available. Talk with current students about their experiences and with graduates about job opportunities, and whether they felt their graduate experience prepared them for the workplace.

Simien: Take GRE prep courses seriously. The GRE does matter. It can either get you in or keep you out of the best programs. Apply to a number of schools, and aim for the best ones ranked in your field. I would visit the school, and speak with those currently enrolled in the department of your choice.