HOW DO STUDENTS AND POST-DOCS CHOOSE THEIR GRADUATE SCHOOLS?

Most important criteria:

Masters students	Ph.D. students	Post-docs
A particular professor	A particular professor	A particular area or specialization in chemistry
A particular area or specialization in chemistry	A particular area or specialization in chemistry	A particular professor
Financial constraints	Entrance fellowship or bursary	Personal recommendations; Web based information; Entrance fellowship or bursary

Least important criteria:

Masters students	Ph.D. students	Post-docs
Web based information	Proximity to family and friends	Proximity to family and friends
Entrance fellowship or bursary	Web based information	Personal recommendations
Personal recommendation from teacher or professor	Entrance fellowship or bursary

Summary:

• Most students and post-docs target a particular professor or a particular area of specialization in chemistry.

• Financial constraints and availability of bursaries and fellowships are also important determining factors in selecting potential advisors.

• Web based information is not considered important in selecting potential advisors.

• Proximity to family and friends is also not important as graduate students and post-docs are ready to make long distance moves in order to pursue their career goals.