Beyond the Offer: Finding Your People and Your Place in Graduate School

Authors

  • Sarah A. Wilson Rowan University, United States
  • Christopher V.H.-H. Chen Columbia University, United States
  • Katherine Austin United States
  • Heather Binion United States

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18260/2-1-370.660-139975

Abstract

Choosing between multiple graduate programs involves more than assessing academics or rankings. This article offers a holistic framework for decision-making, emphasizing academic fit, support networks, and alignment with values. Through practical advice and personal stories from students and faculty, we encourage readers to consider their well-being, community, and personal growth alongside their professional goals. Our hope is to help you find an academic home that supports both your professional and personal growth.

Author Biographies

Sarah A. Wilson, Rowan University, United States

Sarah A. Wilson, PhD, PE, is an Associate Professor in Experiential Engineering Education at Rowan University. Guided by the motto “We can't design better systems until we care about the people inside them,” she researches mental health using participatory, data-driven methods. She partners with students to co-create support strategies and has led international workshops on mental health. She supported development of University of Kentucky’s NSF-funded Engineering Wellness Center and received the Ray W. Fahien Award for educational innovation.

Corresponding Author: wilsonsa@rowan.edu

Christopher V.H.-H. Chen, Columbia University, United States

Christopher V.H.-H. Chen, PhD, is a Lecturer in the Discipline of Chemical Engineering at Columbia University. He completed his PhD in Chemical and Biological Engineering at Princeton University and MBA at Columbia Business School. His teaching and research interests include the application of case- and problem-based approaches to STEM teaching; improving critical thinking with educational technology (e.g., AI);  integrating sustainability and other human considerations into the engineering training; and preparing graduate students as future leaders.

Katherine Austin, United States

Katherine Austin received her bachelor’s degree in bioengineering from the University of New Hampshire in 2023. During her time at UNH she was lab manager of the SEEDS Lab and a 2021 SMART fellow. Following her bachelor’s degree, she joined the Defense Centers for Public Health as an environmental risk assessor. Currently Katherine is an NSF Graduate Research Fellow pursuing a PhD in chemical and biomolecular engineering at the University of Delaware.

Heather Binion, United States

Heather Binion is a doctoral student in Agricultural and Biological Engineering at Purdue University, working in the Ristroph Lab on scalable drug delivery solutions in collaboration with Eli Lilly. She earned dual bachelor’s degrees in chemistry and engineering science from Manchester University in Indiana, and a third in chemical engineering from Columbia University.

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Published

2025-09-11

Issue

Vol. 59 No. 4 (2025): Fall 2025

Section

Manuscripts