Graduate School: What Questions to ask before going?

[neurocomp2003]

What questions should a student ask before accepting/entering graduate school? That is if they know which school/programme they are being accepted to? The programme I'm looking into is rather new. Also is it bad or frowned upon to do your undergrad/Masters/Phd all from the same school?

 

[mathwonk]

ask about success rates, support levels, requirements, placement records, specialties represented, and ask to talk to some research professors and some current students.

 

[desA]

Ask them if it is possible to begin the program under a 'temporary adviser', to allow you to make some initial progress in coursework & research, before honing in on the 'final adviser/s'.

This will allow you to initially expand your academic horizons; prevent you going down useless research tracks & in the end, could save you a lot of heartache.

 

[neurocomp2003]

Mathwonk: what do you mean by placement records?

 

[mathwonk]

how good they are at finding jobs for their students.

 

[neurocomp2003]

mathwonk: thanks forgot about that one
desA: thanks...

heh hopefully some more people will reply before 2pm