How do parents get their children into grad school?

mathboy98
Sat, 21 Feb 2009 21:48:48 +0000

During the admissions process, let their professors play the role that you played when your child was in high school. Professors know what’s in and out of the academia and can give better insight. Excellent advisors can wind up parenting their students… unintentionally, but only in the students’ best interests. Just trust your kid’s professors… especially if you’re paying the tuition money for their undergrad!



This is very sound advice. The professors definitely know what they’re talking about. I think this thread, however, was partially started in response to the one about the prospects of being a professor. It’s pretty clear to me that professors aren’t going to give a straight answer to the “What is it like being a professor” question. Or, they’ll just say that it’s wonderful fun. Heck, if I were tenured, that’s definitely what I’d say. The professors know the academic world inside out, but other more disillusioned folk, not the guys sitting in the top tier positions, may be important to speak to in order to avoid overoptimism! Not that professors will spout nonsensical advice, but it’s important in my opinion to hear more than the opinion of those who “made it” in a very difficult game.