If you're a graduate student at Georgia Tech, check your email. The first-ever Graduate Student Experience Survey is happening right now (open until Feb. 29, 2026) .
What is this survey?
It's modeled after the undergraduate survey from 2015 that actually led to real changes. They're asking about advising, finances, academics, teaching, research, and support . The goal is to get a "comprehensive snapshot of graduate student life" so administrators can make data-driven decisions .
Why now?
The Graduate Student Government president, Marc Canellas, saw how influential the undergrad survey was. He said: "They already knew what the structural and personnel issues were. They had already been concerned about these issues. They had even developed ideas about how to fix them. But they had never been given the political capital or the time to find a consensus and implement change."
The survey is meant to provide that political capital — hard data that administrators can't ignore.
What the 2015 undergrad survey accomplished:
That depends on participation. The more students who respond, the harder it is to ignore. The survey is anonymous — they separate your login info from your answers so you can be honest without fear .
Susan Cozzens, Vice Provost for Graduate Education, said: "The data we collect will help everyone — from administrators to faculty members — make more informed decisions when it comes to serving our graduate students."
If you're a Georgia Tech grad student, please fill it out. And be honest. This is our chance to be heard.
I already submitted mine. Took about 20 minutes. Worth it if it leads to real change. Anyone else participate yet? What did you say?
What is this survey?
It's modeled after the undergraduate survey from 2015 that actually led to real changes. They're asking about advising, finances, academics, teaching, research, and support . The goal is to get a "comprehensive snapshot of graduate student life" so administrators can make data-driven decisions .
Why now?
The Graduate Student Government president, Marc Canellas, saw how influential the undergrad survey was. He said: "They already knew what the structural and personnel issues were. They had already been concerned about these issues. They had even developed ideas about how to fix them. But they had never been given the political capital or the time to find a consensus and implement change."
The survey is meant to provide that political capital — hard data that administrators can't ignore.
What the 2015 undergrad survey accomplished:
- Legitimized student concerns that had been dismissed as anecdotal
- Led to task forces on teaching and student interaction
- Helped secure funding for improvements
- Showed that student feedback can actually matter
- Higher stipends (Atlanta is expensive)
- Better mental health access (counseling wait times are ridiculous)
- More consistent advising (good advisors shouldn't be luck of the draw)
- Reasonable teaching loads (can't research if we're always teaching)
- More funding for research (supplies, travel, equipment)
That depends on participation. The more students who respond, the harder it is to ignore. The survey is anonymous — they separate your login info from your answers so you can be honest without fear .
Susan Cozzens, Vice Provost for Graduate Education, said: "The data we collect will help everyone — from administrators to faculty members — make more informed decisions when it comes to serving our graduate students."
If you're a Georgia Tech grad student, please fill it out. And be honest. This is our chance to be heard.
I already submitted mine. Took about 20 minutes. Worth it if it leads to real change. Anyone else participate yet? What did you say?
