Skip to content

First Generation University

  • Home
  • About Me
October 23, 2012 / Featured

On “Constructive” Criticism

Part of my role as an advisor is to work with students interested in applying to graduate school. Graduate school is a very expensive, and time consuming proposition, and in meetings with students I am very honest about with them about the experience.

Recently, a student was not happy with my advice as evidenced by the nastygram, disguised as a thank you note, sent to my office. This student objected to me noting that her grades and grade point average were not up to the standards of the schools in which she is interested.

Sometimes the truth hurts and there is no way around the facts. For competitive doctoral programs, that often only admit 6-8 students, obtaining admission directly out of an undergraduate program with a gpa under a 3.5 and low GRE scores would take a bit of luck. There is no way to artfully explain that, nor do I think it would have been a service to the student to not be straight with her. The graduate school application process alone can cost a minimum of $500 once one considers GRE fees, application fees, and transcript request fees. Furthermore, more and more people are heading to graduate school to hide from the recession. The competition is fierce for anyone.

I’m not sure what the student expected regarding her appointment. Her complaint was that telling her the numbers for graduate school admission was not “constructive.” However, what I do know that providing sound advice, even if it isn’t what the student wants to hear is my job.I do hope that she is accepted at her schools of choice.

 

Post navigation

Previous Post:

Fisher v. Texas – Affirmative Action Rehash

Next Post:

First Generation University Does Politics on The LSP Effect

One comment

  1. Http://sarahwtmorris.Sosblogs.com says:
    September 3, 2014 at 9:12 pm

    It’s a shame you don’t have a donate button! I’d without a doubt donate to this brilliant blog!
    I suppose for now i’ll settle for book-marking and adding your
    RSS feed to my Google account. I look forward to new
    updates and will share this website with my Facebook group.
    Chat soon!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent Posts

  • Black Panther is A Raisin in the Sun Revisited
  • The Post is Worth Evening Movie Ticket Prices
  • Holiday Blues for Students
  • Being Where We Are Wanted
  • Put Your Own Mask On First

Recent Comments

  • Shonda Goward on Black Panther is A Raisin in the Sun Revisited
  • Dave on Black Panther is A Raisin in the Sun Revisited
  • Brenna on Black Panther is A Raisin in the Sun Revisited
  • Kat on Being Where We Are Wanted
  • khu do thi van phuc on What We’re Up To

Archives

  • February 2018
  • November 2017
  • September 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • April 2017
  • May 2015
  • December 2014
  • June 2014
  • March 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • July 2013
  • May 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • October 2012
  • August 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • February 2011
  • August 2010
  • July 2010
  • June 2010
  • May 2010
  • April 2010
  • March 2010
  • February 2010
  • January 2010
  • December 2009
  • November 2009
  • October 2009
  • June 2009

Categories

  • Featured
  • Uncategorized

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries RSS
  • Comments RSS
  • WordPress.org
© 2018 First Generation University