-Narrative Responses to Question #7-
Question 7: Explain the rationale for your response to
question 6 (“How strongly would you recommend the GSBS to other individuals for
their graduate training?”)
1.
Many
opportunities, but stronger for translational research than for basic. Also, one weakness is that the NAME DELETED
course is very poor, and is one of the subjects that has enduring importance.
2.
I think that this
program allows for any student to find exactly what they are looking for. The ability to join GSBS and pick from 400
faculty is a great positive for any student.
3.
GSBS has very
decent training programs.
4.
Strong faculty,
excellent location in TMC.
5.
MD Anderson
Cancer Center has a very good reputation, and the training I received in the
field that I chose (Medical Physics) was thorough and of high quality. In addition, I feel that one of the best aspects
of the training that I received during graduate school at GSBS was the training
I received in areas of Medical Physics outside the arena I chose to specialize
in. It has given me a broad scope
understanding/appreciation of Medical Physics that I feel other professionals
in my field do not have.
6.
Students have the
chance to work on cutting edge projects that will put them in a position to get
better post doctoral positions
7.
While I'm happy
with the education I received at GSBS, I feel that there are a couple of major
drawbacks to a GSBS education: 1) UT
Houston doesn't carry any clout as a school name (and unfortunately that is
important to a degree when looking for a job) and 2) the overall quality of the
students is not particularly good, which weakens the academic environment in
which to study. For example, students
are often not interested in participating in extracurricular journal clubs or
discussions.
8.
The
administration was flexible to meet my needs, strengths and weaknesses.
9.
Some of the
courses I took seemed too easy for a graduate school course. Also, material covered in certain courses was
tailed to the research interests of the instructors, instead of being broader
or more useful.
10.
The integration
of students into the research population was an excellent preparation for
future work. I found that independence
was stressed and this independence is one of the most important tools we take
into our future work.
11.
World class
institutions with an average school. The
recommendation would depend on the individual.
12.
Because I recall
GSBS quite often after my graduation. I like my school.
13.
Any deficiencies
noted in the GSBS above (such as a lack of a comprehensive computing facility)
were more than compensated for by working in the MDACC environment and having
access to the combined resources of TMC/Rice/UH.
14.
Deciding to go to
GSBS was the best decision I have made for my future.
15.
I think it
provides a very good environment for students who are thinking of a career in
the medical sciences
16.
Why do a Ph.D.
when you can do a M.D., spend the equivalent time as a post doc and come away
making more money and with better job security?
17.
This program
trains students well for a career in Genetic Counseling.
18.
I believe I was
well prepared for undertaking research and teaching medical/grad/post-grad
students.
19.
In general it is
a great school. The dean, asst. deans
and staff at GSBS really care about the students. My only concern is that no one spends time
addressing what comes after graduate school.
Not everyone wants to do a post doc and run a research lab.
20.
I thought my
research training was very good at UT GSBS and it prepared me for a research
career.
21.
Hands down,
22.
Good research
environment.
23.
I was one of the
first students at GSBS. I assume that
the quality of the school is at least as good now as it was then.
24.
For the reasons
stated in the questions above, I recommend the GSBS to others, especially for
the quality of people and the available facilities.
25.
My normal
response or advice is not to look for a Doctoral degree. There is a constant
decline in job opportunities in the area of biomedical research and a seemingly
constant influx of new graduates. In addition, industry is not providing with
new jobs opportunities. Of course things may change in the future but the
reality is that biomedical science is overpopulated as evident by the number of
CVs per job ratio. I currently had a job interview for a faculty position where
they showed me two boxes full of resumes for a single position. I feel that
GSBS is doing a good job in the standard training but some "out of the
box" thinking and some research needs to be done about the real job
opportunities and re-focus GSBS efforts toward the new opportunities, stop the
madness of "alternative careers for scientists", if I want an alternative
career I just get different training and save 6 years of my life. Identify new
opportunities and refocus training, for example one area where GSBS could
provide new training is in Biomedical Entrepreneurship, an area that is badly
needed in
26.
It would depend on
their interests. The GSBS curriculum is
excellent for anyone interested in academic research and its applications but
not as good for those interested in a clinical oriented careers or industrial
research.
27.
Adequate stipend,
good housing (if you are fortunate enough to get in), nice shuttle service
(free), lots of subject areas to choose from.
28.
Excellent
research training.
29.
I would first
recommend the "Ivys" but within the region I would recommend it
strongly. Graduate education is very
dependent on your advisor and his or her reputation within the field.
30.
GSBS provides
world-class academic training in research.
31.
My earlier
response to question 6 would have been "not certain", since I felt
had little marketability upon graduation; however, I have seen GSBS adjust to
meet the concerns of incoming students about their employability upon
graduating; therefore, I feel that the program is improving in this area.
32.
It has been more
than 30 years since I was at GSBS.
33.
The TMC is a
one-of-a-kind environment in the world. An issue that does not come out from
above is that so much of the training is really dependent on the quality of
mentorship. Breadth is impossible to cover all aspects of future work. The best
preparation is solid grounding in methodology and scientific process. There is
no way to completely prepare kids for where and what a given student will be
doing 10 years after graduation, so just ensure the basic tools. One aspect not
mentioned is perhaps to add courses on writing or scientific documents.
34.
GSBS is a good
school for training a scientist for a future... But not all of the people that
attend want to be a research scientist.
GSBS very poorly prepares its students for any future other than a NIH
funded scientist... so much so, in fact, that I felt VERY 'looked down upon' by
my mentors and Deans/Faculty/Staff in general for even suggesting that I might
be interested in other means of using my Ph.D.
There was absolutely NO career placement except for my mentor who was no
help at all and for seminars held at odd times in buildings very far away
(again, which were no help at all).
Attending a seminar on career choices does not offer ANY help for
recommendations, positions open, etc.
These above mentioned facts are grievous, so much so, that I have
graduated from GSBS almost a year ago and I am totally unemployed, with every
potential employer saying the same thing: "Your background did not prepare
you for our qualifications."
35.
GSBS had some
distinguished faculty members whom I would very strongly recommend. Others were not so outstanding. In general the research facilities and
atmosphere were good. Perhaps during my
time GSBS was not ranked at the top of the ladder among US colleges. I hope it is now.
36.
Top-notch faculty
in a variety of areas for training.
37.
Based on my
experience (I graduated over 20 years ago), I think the Training was good, but
not stringent enough.
38.
Breadth of
coursework is not quite as great as in other institutions.
39.
GSBS offers and
excellent graduate education in the world's finest medical center.
40.
I had a wonderful
experience and feel that the
41.
Wide open
research possibilities; world class facilities.
42.
I believe I
received excellent education from coursework and in the research lab. Research facilities were more than adequate.
43.
GSBS is flexible
and helpful. Any student interested in advanced study in the fields covered
would find ample help and information available to point him or her to the
goal.
44.
If students want
serious in-depth research career primer, GSBS is superb.
45.
The breadth and
quality of the faculty research and courses.
Tremendous depth and diversity of surrounding TMC environment. Open
framework of GSBS system allows students a broad choice of academic research
and coursework (however, if a student chooses to join an individual program,
the coursework required by that program may be a bit too rigid).
46.
In the years I
attended GSBS numerous faculty members were incompetent, unscrupulous, abusive
to graduate students or just sadly aspired to mediocrity.
47.
Relentless
opportunities at your fingertips; numerous Nobel Laureates as guest lectures
during my tenure, including
48.
Generally poor
experience.
49.
The range of
advisors available makes GSBS unique.
50.
Excellence in
areas indicated above.
51.
I like the GSBS
system and the flexibility a student has.
52.
Besides the heat
GSBS/MDACC is a great place, high quality and state-of-the art.
53.
The school as a
whole is good, would not recommend NAME DELETED program.
54.
The flexibility
to move between all departments, I see as an advantage after having been at a
university that requires students to apply to each individual department, thus
restricting the number of faculty a student can work with.
55.
GSBS affords a
student an opportunity to choose a laboratory to conduct research in a very
highly competitive setting such as
56.
Provides strong
background and broad basis for selecting research project in an environment
where there are 2 medical schools, dental school, school of public health,
there is limitless potential for career choice.
57.
Research training
is not broad enough to expose you to most research techniques. Faculty is not
highly ranked; not productive enough.
58.
Excellent
experience in department of neurobiology and anatomy.
59.
UTMDACC/UTHSC-H
is the best in the
60.
I don't believe
there is another place anywhere that I could have received a finer education.
61.
Outstanding
center for medical research.
62.
Personal
initiative and industriousness is what gets you a great Postdoc. GSBS allows students with initiative to
achieve that.
63.
GSBS provides a
very friendly environment for study.
64.
I would strongly
recommend GSBS to individuals that want to do biomedical research and can stand
the heat and humidity of
65.
Can get excellent
training, but does not carry prestige of other top universities.
66.
When I was there
(1976-78), the school was very new. I felt a lot of courses were
"do-it-yourself" and there was little support for my area of interest
(NAME DELETED). I don't know how much has happened in the last 25 years - its
likely very different.
67.
I was
dissatisfied with my experience at GSBS - both in lack of challenge in the work
and lack of feeling welcomed by my department.
I do not currently work in the field I was trained in at GSBS.
68.
Please see
questions and answers for numbers 1-5.
69.
Depends on who
the individual is and what their needs and goals are.
70.
Good training and
research experience.
71.
I spent most of
my time at
72.
It was an
incredible experience for me. The great
faculty, strong research and perfect location, make the GSBS an ideal graduate
school.
73.
I had a positive
experience and know many of the faculty still there. Who I would direct potential students to for
a rotation. I am certain they will have a positive experience as well, so I
recommend GSBS without reservation.
74.
Wide range of
resources and scientific interactions.
75.
Finest
institutions and faculty, good price (value).
76.
Assuming I can
advise the student on deficiencies encountered in the late 70's in GSBS and/or
GSBS has addressed these deficiencies.
77.
It is great
training for developing skills in an interdisciplinary setting.
78.
While at GSBS, I
was able to learn from some of the top researcher in the world. That is
invaluable.
79.
Terrible
advisor-but everything else is ok to good.
80.
Ability to do
research within MDA, and collaborate with multiple other institutions, as well
as academic companies, gives students the potential to achieve great breadth
and depth in their development, whether they choose to stay in academia, or not.
81.
I believe I
received excellent training and education from some of the best people.
82.
It's a first rate
program.
83.
Lots of faculty
to choose from, good choice of programs and training, grant opportunities, huge
medical center, good seminars.
84.
Highly diverse
faculty; large medical center with great resources,; reasonably affordable
place to live.
85.
I could not have
asked for a better place to complete my education. I was able to gain experience that I believe
I wouldn't have gotten at any other schools.
86.
If they are
interested in several programs rather than applying to a graduate school in a
specific department, I would very strongly recommend GSBS.
87.
Good environment
for learning and appropriate amount of course work.
88.
Diversity in the
curriculum, excellent faculty and research opportunities make GSBS highly
competitive.
89.
UT has one of the
best training programs for genetic counselors. Very strong science background.
90.
Strong research
instructions, heart of medical center.
91.
Based on my very
positive experience.
92.
A lot of
choices. Many highly motivated students.
93.
One of the best
programs in Medical Physics at a world-class cancer center.
94.
I had a great
experience at GSBS, and have done very well because of my experience
there. However, I've seen many students
there not do very well, or at least not as well as they could have, and I think
that those situations could have been avoided or improved with better guidance
from the faculty and Dean's Office. So,
although my personal experience was very successful and I'm more than satisfied
with it, it is hard to recommend the program to others.
95.
GSBS's strength
lies in the number of faculty and diversity of research areas.
96.
The people make
the difference. The facilities are top
notch.
97.
GSBS provided a
solid academic foundation, but the environment in the NAME DELETED program was
not ideal. (See comments at the end)
98.
Have been away
too long to know what is currently available.
99.
I strongly
recommend GSBS to students of very high academic intelligence. I have not
recommended GSBS to someone who was looking for an easy graduate school and
easy degree because I want to keep the GSBS student population bright and
hardworking.
100.
Cannot recommend
GSBS because support for minority students was almost nonexistent. Training was not offered for careers outside
of academia. Resume preparation was not
available. Emphasis was only for postdoc positions and not for other positions
immediately following graduation.
101.
Association with
102.
Diverse
opportunities available for motivated student; quality education with feasible
financial aid options; unique clinical setting with basic research.
103.
I had a wonderful
experience at GSBS: Primarily because the Admin & Faculty are very student
oriented.
104.
The
multidisciplinary approach was fundamental for my career.
105.
I had a very
successful career as a result of my GSBS training.
106.
The graduate
school is very organized and helps you along, a large supply of good mentors to
choose from, good quality of research.
107.
The GSBS is a
very good school for graduate training.
108.
Weak areas in
advising, student affairs.
109.
Able to obtain a
very solid foundation in clinical physics.
110.
First rate
research institutions and faculty, small size within an active medical center.
111.
Strong faculty,
rich collaborative research environment.
112.
Overall, a great
graduate school. Many different areas/labs/mentors to choose from.
113.
GSBS is an
excellent
114.
No emphasis on
teaching, research good, but faculty doesn't care to help students get teaching
experience.
115.
Good variety of
choices for pursuing interests, student peers not of highest quality.
116.
Enjoyed my time
there - great background,
117.
The training
itself I found very good; but there was almost NO guidance regarding finding
"useful" positions after graduation.
118.
I think it
provides a flexible environment with good research labs. Hard to get students I know to move to
119.
MDACC world
leader in my area of study.
120.
The knowledgeable
faculty, great staff and administration, and the location within the
121.
GSBS offers a
unique opportunity for education in Biomedical Sciences. MD Anderson is a
premier hospital with great opportunities.
122.
If the
individual's interest was in line with the programs at GSBS, it's a great place
to learn and has some excellent faculty.
The opportunity to collaborate with so many people in the medical center
is also a huge plus.
123.
Kinda like the
Army, it's what you make of it.. All the aspects needed for good education are
there.
124.
Great
hands-on-state of the art equipment/research! Cutting Edge!
125.
I received
excellent preparation for my subsequent career.
126.
I was fully
prepared for academic career.
127.
GSBS is good
overall. I think most students will do ok.
128.
A student's fate
lies only on the advisor. If the advisor
is bad, no one else has the time or interest in "advising",
especially if it means that they may ruin a relationship with a potential
collaborator.
129.
The program,
facilities, resources, faculty, etc. are good for conducting research toward a
dissertation and building a foundation for a career in biomedical sciences.
130.
The quality of
the research being done is very high!
131.
Research advisor
showed little concern about whether student could complete the research project
in a reasonable time.
132.
Outstanding
faculty, outstanding facilities.
133.
I cannot make a
blanket statement. It depends on the
individual, their goals, and field of study.
134.
Thought the
education was great, excellent opportunities, good faculty. Granted I was there
greater than 25 years ago.
135.
Being a student
at GSBS allowed me to interact with scientists from different institutions
within TMC which helped me immensely in my research. I think this interaction and guidance from
seniors if very important, especially if one just starts his/her research.
136.
The flexibility
of the curriculum; being in TMC; Proximity to Rice, UH; access to MDACC and
UTMS; all these things help to make an education at GSBS and excellent one!
137.
Research
opportunities and resources; multidiscipline program; minimal required classes
gave me the opportunity to be broadly trained and flexible as I pursues my
career; lots of research and lab experience rather than book memorization.
138.
Overall, it is a
wonderful school. The problems that do exist are/were significant.
139.
In my field
(medical physics), the blend of academic, clinical and research is very
important and these were implemented wisely at GSBS. On the national level, the
GSBS medical physics programs are highly respected.
140.
Although the
research facilities were excellent, GSBS focuses on the success of the programs
rather than improving individual student career development.
141.
Depends upon
lab/mentor.
142.
The people I
worked with in 1980-1985, are no longer in
143.
The quality of
graduate education and the proximity of available research opportunities make
GSBS an excellent graduate facility in biomedical sciences.
144.
For its
flexibility, good support for GSBS, and variety of choices of research labs.
145.
Excellent school
in excellent setting for growth and development, i.e. (UTHSH).
146.
My time at GSBS
prepared me for further training and education.
It also taught me self-confidence in my capability to succeed.
147.
For students
looking for research qualifications is a very good choice-breadth of studies,
available faculty, resources, rigor of program.
Not a good choice for the timid.
148.
The school
coupled with the amenities of the time and the proximity to other institutions
and their faculty make it an ideal place for original research. Anything is
possible.
149.
Overall best
training in all fields.
150.
The depth of
faculty research experiences, and variety of students all together produce a
well-rounded educational experience.
151.
I have not kept
up with the graduate program since I graduated.
152.
I was somewhat
uncertain/undecided about my scientific career path when I entered GSBS. The diversity of projects, personalities and
institutions participating in the program helped me find my place.
153.
The GSBS provides
an active training and research environment that promotes rapid development of
skills.
154.
I am very pleased
with GSBS. Every place has weaknesses
and GSBS has been trying to address this for many years.
155.
Because of the
relationship with MD Anderson.
156.
First class
institutions and training.
157.
Working in the
158.
Breadth as well
as depth.
159.
GSBS was very
strong at helping individuals pursue their own academic/research interests, and
allowed the students to tap into so many amazing institutes, faculty, and
course offerings. A student who fails to
thrive at GSBS shouldn't be in science research.
160.
Many
opportunities to learn state of the art technologies; very useful in building
careers.
161.
Incredible
variety/opportunities to do research; small school feel-GSBS.
162.
I am very
satisfied with my education at GSBS. It allowed me to become a successful
scientist.
163.
There are many
research subjects to study.
164.
Lots of
opportunities, good stipend.
165.
Provided all
needed essentials for being trained for research.
166.
The overall
quality of faculties is not very strong.
167.
Great experience.
168.
Research faculty,
association with/MDAH, clinical material available, other schools and faculty
to interact with (e.g., Baylor, Rice)
169.
There is the
right balance of work ethic, atmosphere, and even fun events to make GSBS a
positive place.
170.
Quality of
instruction and research opportunities are excellent; cost of living relative
to stipend is favorable; improvement could be made with training faculty as
"Good" advisors, career counseling, and teaching opportunities.
171.
Strong academic
courses, many choices of research projects, most professors are experts in
their researches.
172.
A student will
get a good education at GSBS. Also, admissions are large enough to provide
ample opportunity for most qualified candidates, and there is a variety of
fields to choose from once a student is accepted.
173.
I got very good
training for my bioscience career.
174.
A good graduate
program with broad choices.
175.
Depends on the
individual's interests and goals.
176.
Depends on the
needs of the other individual.
177.
World class
faculty.
178.
Cannot think of a
better place to study. Facilities at your finger tips are unbelievable.
179.
GSBS is a Medical
Research oriented institution of national prominence.
180.
GSBS very strong
in some areas, not so strong in others.
181.
Access to world
reknown researches and institutes.
182.
I think I would
have to ask what the student really wanted to do before advising him/her.
183.
Not much name
recognition outside of
184.
It taught me to
think scientifically.
185.
GSBS gave me a
very good foundation education which I have been able to use in 4 different
countries.
186. GSBS can provide flexibility for those stud