Some Common Myths about Graduate School and the Realities

From: "Tracking Down Your Primo Grad School"

by Alice F. Cunningham

Reaction Times - February 1993
(This article was taken from the February 1993 issue of Reaction Times,
which is a copyrighted American Chemical Society publication. You are encouraged
to duplicate, or quote from, this article.)

MYTH

I can't afford graduate school.

REALITY

The stipend and fee remissions are usually sufficient for at least a spartan life as a grad student.

MYTH

I'll either have to teach or work in a lab the rest of my life if I get a PhD.

REALITY

No way! Many kinds of career opportunities exist.

MYTH

I must go for the PhD if I get any advanced degree at all.

REALITY

There are some graduate programs for MS degrees only. Others offer the option of either degree.

MYTH

I don't need an advanced degree to do research.

REALITY

Better examine your goals for upward mobility. You may need the advanced degree to get you where you want to be.