The decision of where to attend graduate school—particularly for those with plans to pursue doctoral studies—can be a daunting one.
For the next six (or more) years, they will be taking the deepest dive possible into their chosen field of study, sharpening their intellectual powers while developing friendships and a professional network that will exert enormous influence over their future and career.
“Choosing a graduate program can feel like you are signing a chunk of your life away,” says Brianne Lisk, manager of graduate programs for the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science. “Obviously, it is important that prospective students receive as much information as possible to help guide them in this process. But in some ways it is just as important to give them a sense of the community they will be joining—their home for the next half dozen years or so.”
More than 30 top PhD prospects were invited to the Rossin College’s two-day PhD Program Open House, March 17-18. Now in its second year, the event kicked-off Sunday evening with a reception, dinner, and poster session in Iacocca Hall’s Wood Dining Room, with department-focused visits and tours scheduled for the following day.
“PhD students form the intellectual lifeblood of any research-focused college campus,” says John Coulter, professor and senior associate dean for research. “The quality of our PhD students is a strong determinant of the overall success of our research programs, and we are proud to say that nearly 50 percent of last year’s PhD Open House attendees accepted Lehigh’s offer into our graduate program. Across our departments and programs, we are working to bring the best and brightest minds to our dynamic intellectual environment. This annual event is critical in supporting the recruiting efforts of our faculty members.”
