Georgia Tech is running a Graduate Student Experience Survey in 2026, the first of its kind specifically for grad students . They're asking about advising, finances, academics, teaching, research, and support .
I talked to some current grad students about what they hope the survey reveals. Here's what they said:
Funding and stipends is the biggest complaint. Grad students work 40+ hours on research and teaching, but the pay is barely enough to live in Atlanta. One student said: "I love my research, but I'm stressed about money constantly."
Mental health resources are another major issue. Long wait times at counseling, not enough therapists who understand grad student stress. "I needed help and they told me three months wait. Three months."
Advising relationships are hit or miss. Some advisors are great mentors. Others are absent or actively harmful. One student said: "My advisor is never around. I'm basically self-advising and hoping for the best."
Teaching load for TAs can be brutal. Some departments expect 20 hours a week of teaching, leaving no time for their own research.
The survey organizers want to give administrators "the evidence in hand to make serious change" . That worked for undergrads in 2015 — the survey legitimized concerns and led to task forces and improvements.
But will it work for grad students? That depends on whether enough people participate. If you're at Georgia Tech, check your email — the survey is open until the end of February .
What would YOU want them to know?
I talked to some current grad students about what they hope the survey reveals. Here's what they said:
Funding and stipends is the biggest complaint. Grad students work 40+ hours on research and teaching, but the pay is barely enough to live in Atlanta. One student said: "I love my research, but I'm stressed about money constantly."
Mental health resources are another major issue. Long wait times at counseling, not enough therapists who understand grad student stress. "I needed help and they told me three months wait. Three months."
Advising relationships are hit or miss. Some advisors are great mentors. Others are absent or actively harmful. One student said: "My advisor is never around. I'm basically self-advising and hoping for the best."
Teaching load for TAs can be brutal. Some departments expect 20 hours a week of teaching, leaving no time for their own research.
The survey organizers want to give administrators "the evidence in hand to make serious change" . That worked for undergrads in 2015 — the survey legitimized concerns and led to task forces and improvements.
But will it work for grad students? That depends on whether enough people participate. If you're at Georgia Tech, check your email — the survey is open until the end of February .
What would YOU want them to know?
