Let me paint a picture for you: 50% of my cohort dropped out in the first year of our program. Yep, half. Gone. And don't even get me started on the ABD (All But Dissertation) status and dropout rates.
What do I think about that?
How would you feel about enrolling in a doctoral program with numbers like that?
The aforementioned picture is really the story of so many peoples experience in the doctoral programs. Never forget the student loan crisis is partially because of graduate students who start and quit. I started my doc program with 7 people, and after 4 years, 3 of them quit.
Thousands of people apply to doctoral programs every year, and unfortunately, many do so without asking the important questions. According to the Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) 2022 GE&D Survey, more than 2.6 million applications for admissions to graduate programs were submitted in Fall 2022. The CGS states that, "21.7% of doctoral applicants and 49.8% of master’s/other applicants were accepted for admission (Council of Graduate Schools, 2022). Imagine someone telling you that 273,000 (2.6 million applicants * 21.7% admitted/50%) quit there do program. My assumption is you would ask some follow-up questions.
What’s heartbreaking? I can guarantee that at least 50% of the students who quit have taken out hefty student loans to pay for their now-abandoned programs. And guess what? Those loans are coming due if they don’t enroll in something else quickly. Get ready for those monthly payments, folks!
The Hard Truth: Students and Institutions Both Need Accountability
Here’s the thing: students aren’t holding themselves accountable by asking critical questions before applying. And institutions? They’re not exactly prioritizing support and retention either. But YOU, my friend, can do something about it. You have the power to hold both yourself and the institution accountable.
What’s the secret?
The Million-Dollar Question (Literally)
One of the first things you should ask any graduate program coordinator or director is:
"What are your graduation rates?"
That’s right, ask it, and ask it loudly. But don’t stop there. Bonus round coming up!
More Questions You NEED to Ask (Trust Me)
Before you sign any dotted line or hit that “Submit Application” button, here's a solid list of questions to throw at your future program coordinator:
How long does it take most students to complete the program?(Hint: If they say 7-10 years, you might want to run.)
What percentage of students stay after the first year?(If the answer is awkward silence, that's a red flag.)
How many students stop at ABD?(Translation: How many never finish that dissertation?)
What support does the institution provide to ensure students complete their degrees?(Do they have workshops, mentors, or just letting you fend for yourself?)
In your experience, what are the main reasons students don’t finish the program?(Because you deserve to know what you’re up against.)
Don’t Be THAT Person
I get it. Asking questions can feel uncomfortable. But you know what's worse? Being thousands of dollars in debt with no degree to show for it.
People buy cars without asking questions.
People start relationships without asking questions.
People have unprotected sex without asking questions about sexual history.
But you? You’re going to ask questions! Because.
Get My Book & Ask Smarter Questions
If you want to really prepare yourself (and avoid being the person watching half your cohort drop like flies), grab a copy of my book, "20 Questions to Answer Before You Apply to Graduate School."
In it, I give you an entire chapter titled: “What to Ask a Graduate Coordinator”—20 additional, game-changing questions to ensure you’re making the right decision before dropping tens of thousands of dollars.
Don’t Make a $10,000 Mistake
Invest $32 in my book and arm yourself with the knowledge you need to avoid sinking $10,000+ into a program that leaves you with nothing but debt and regret.
Save yourself the heartache (and the student loan payments). Ask the right questions. Be prepared. And, most importantly, get the answers you deserve.
Now go forth and ask those questions like a boss!
Reference:
Council of Graduate Schools. (2022). Graduate enrollment and degrees: 2012-2022 report. Retrieved from https://cgsnet.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2022-Graduate-Enrollment-and-Degrees-Final-Report.pdf
Comments