Practical Resources for Students

This page focuses on things every grad student may need to know to navigate through graduate education successfully.

Communication Skills: Writing and Speaking

Skill in written and oral communication is critical to success in any graduate program, as well as any professional endeavor. At the page linked above, you will find resources including:

• Stanford Programs, such as the:
  • Center for Teaching and Learning
  • Hume Writing Center
  • Technical Communications Program (School of Engineering)
• Resources particularly for international students
• Resources for dissertation writing support groups
• specialized communications workshops.

Understanding Academic Policy

Numerous resources exist to help graduate students understand the policies and rules that govern specific situations. Here are some of the most important:

• Graduate Academic Policy and Procedures Handbook
  A compilation of university policies and other information related to the academic progress of Stanford graduate students -- from their application and admission, to the conferral of degrees and retention of records.
• Stanford Bulletin
  The official source of information regarding general graduate degree requirements (masters and doctoral degrees). See the following school sites for information regarding the following degree programs:
  • Graduate School of Business MBA Program
  • School of Medicine MD Program
  • Degree programs in the School of Law
• Research Policy Handbook
  A collection of policies, guidelines and general information related to the research enterprise at Stanford University. See also general guidance related to research policy at Stanford.

In addition, there is someone in the Dean's office of each Stanford school who can help answer questions about the interpretation of Stanford policies within that school.

Managing Relationships with Mentors/Advisors

Every Stanford graduate student is expected to be paired with a faculty advisor. Advisors assist students in planning a program of study to meet degree requirements. Faculty advisors, particularly for doctoral students, play an important role in students' intellectual development. Good communication is crucial for productive working relationships.

Stanford's Guidelines for Good Practices in the Graduate Student-Faculty Advisor Relationship describes practices that the great majority of faculty and students, here and elsewhere, routinely follow as a matter of common sense, courtesy, and basic honesty.

The VPGE office offers a special workshop on Setting Expectations and Resolving Conflicts with your Advisor. See the web page describing this workshop for more information.

Developing Financial Literacy

As a grad student, managing your money can be challenging. Stanford provides some resources to help:

• Funding Fundamentals (general information about graduate funding)
• Cash Course, a program in financial literacy developed for Stanford students through the National Endowment for Financial Education.