A (Almost) Complete Guide to Graduate School Open Houses (STEM Focus)

Should You Attend a Graduate School Open House?

Absolutely! Attending an open house is a valuable opportunity to assess research fit, meet potential advisors, and evaluate program support.

What About Backup Schools?

Yes! Unlike undergrad, prestige matters less in graduate school. A strong research project, a supportive advisor, and a well-funded program are key. You may discover a great fit where you least expect it.

Tip: If possible, tour shared facilities, the PI’s lab, and student offices. Ask if you can take pictures for later review—but always ask for permission first!

Disclaimer

This guide is designed to help you find a graduate program where you feel comfortable and supported. However, if the research doesn’t align with your interests, even the best cultural fit may not be enough to sustain you in the long run.

Before attending open houses or meeting potential advisors, it's important to have a general idea of your research interests. Start by choosing a research area, then look for schools and PIs with projects that interest you. Having a focused list will streamline your search and help ensure the program’s culture aligns with your academic and personal goals.

That said, this is also a great opportunity to explore new subfields or interdisciplinary projects beyond your undergraduate background. If a PI presents an interesting project outside your initial list of interests, you can still reach out later via Zoom or another platform to learn more.

Questions to Ask Yourself Before Attending

Consider your preferred working style and keep these questions in mind when meeting with PIs and their students. This will help you determine if their mentorship style is the right fit for you.

• Can you name at least two other groups or PIs you’re interested in?
• Do you prefer working independently with minimal supervision, or do you thrive with hands-on mentorship?
• Are you comfortable starting from scratch with little prior foundation, or do you prefer building on existing research?

Key Questions to Ask at an Open House

Program-Specific Questions

Check the graduate student handbook or ask the program manager:

• What does the qualification process involve? (Written/oral exams? Timeline?)
• What are the graduation requirements?
• Are there additional requirements for specific research groups?
• Are Teaching Assistant (TA) duties required?
• Is there a rotation program?
• What are the course requirements?

PI/Lab-Specific Questions

Do Your Research Before Meeting PIs

• Visit their lab website to understand their research focus.
• Look for recorded talks (often more accessible than technical papers).
• If a PI struggles to explain their research clearly, that may indicate poor communication skills.

What to Observe When Meeting PIs

• Do you enjoy the conversation?
• Are they patient when answering questions?
• Do they respect your ideas? Will they support them?
• Will you need to develop your own research ideas, or will they assign you a project?

Assessing Work-Life Balance (WLB) Without Asking Directly

Instead of asking outright, try:

• What are their expectations for students year by year?
• How do they recommend balancing coursework, TA duties, and lab work?
• What is their mentorship style? Do they rely on postdocs for mentoring, or are they hands-on?
• What are the first-author paper requirements for graduation?
• How many grad students and postdocs are in the lab?
• What are their lab alumni doing now?

Funding Tip: Instead of directly asking about funding, privately ask a student about their TA frequently

Talking to Graduate Students

Grad students offer some of the most honest insights. Don’t hesitate to approach them!

Work-Life Balance Considerations

Instead of asking, "How’s the work-life balance?" try:

• What does your weekly schedule look like?
• Are there required lab/office hours?
• When are group and one-on-one meetings, and what do you need to prepare?

Be mindful—some students may downplay stress. If a student says their schedule is "flexible" but mentions constant working weekends or running experiments at midnight, that’s a red flag.

Pro Tip: Ask students from Lab A about Lab B—grad students talk, and this often leads to more candid insights.

Key Questions About Cost of Living

Stipend & Financial Support

• Is your stipend enough for rent, food, and daily expenses?
• Do students need extra financial support (side jobs, internships, etc.)?
• Are stipends paid on time? (Some schools have delayed payments.)
• Does the program offer summer funding?

Housing & Rent

• What’s the housing situation (university-provided vs. private rental)?
• How difficult is it to secure housing?
• Where do most grad students live? What’s the typical rent?
• Do most students live alone or with roommates?

Transportation & Commuting

• What’s the typical commute time?
• Do students rely on public transportation, biking, or driving?
• How expensive is public transportation?

Healthcare & Insurance

• Does the university provide health insurance?
• How good is the coverage?
• Is mental health coverage included?
• How much do students typically pay out-of-pocket?

Lifestyle & Social Life

• What do grad students do in their free time?
• How expensive are entertainment, gyms, and social activities?

Other Useful Questions for Grad Students

• How difficult is the qualification exam? How did you prepare?
• What’s the class workload like?
• How much time is spent on coursework vs. research?

Some students may downplay the difficulty of exams or coursework—take responses with a grain of salt.

A Note on Safety and Respect

Sexual harassment in academia is, unfortunately, a real issue. Trust your instincts. If something feels off, report it to the program manager or department chair.

This applies to everyone—harassment can happen to anyone.

For current grad students and postdocs: If there are known concerns about a PI or lab, consider sharing that information with prospective students. Everyone deserves a safe and supportive research environment.

Observing Behavior in Social Settings

People often reveal their true character in social settings, especially where alcohol is involved. If someone makes inappropriate remarks about gender, sexuality, or other issues, take note—this could reflect lab culture.

Tip for International Students

If you can’t attend in person, ask to schedule a virtual meeting with:

• The program manager (for general program details)
• PIs you’re interested in
• Current grad students

Many are happy to chat—don’t be afraid to ask!

Final Tip: Prioritize Conversations with Current Grad Students

During meals, casual hangouts, or unstructured time, focus on talking to current grad students rather than other prospective students.

You'll have plenty of time to bond with your future cohort later. Open houses are a rare chance to get candid insights from those already in the program.

Closing Thoughts

Attending a graduate school open house is more than just gathering information—it’s about understanding the culture, support, and expectations of the program. Asking the right questions can help you make the best decision for your future.

Good luck, and take plenty of notes!