Below is a list of questions I have compiled that are good to be considering when choosing a graduate school. Many of these questions are draw from Luisa Rebull's website. She also has many great links for women (and everyone) in science.

Ask department faculty:

Academics

  • What are the academic requirements for graduation?
  • What is the format of the prelim/qualifying exam?
  • What percentage of students pass?
  • Do any students leave the program early, or with a terminal masters?
  • When do students typically choose an advisor?

Financial

  • Is support guaranteed for the entire PhD? Year by year? What would disqualify support?
  • Will financial support be contingent on some required teaching?
  • What provisions are there for housing, health insurance, benifits in general?

Teaching

  • How are teaching assignments made? (lottery or choice?)
  • What expectations does the department have for graduate TAs?

Summers

  • How early can I start?
  • Are students expected to work the summers?
  • Do graduate students mentor undergrads in summer programs?

Ask current grad students:

Classes & Exams

  • How intense are classes/exams? (hrs/week?)
  • Do you feel there is a collaborative environment with other students?
  • Is there a "central" study area? Or do students mostly work in their offices?
  • How many classes are typical per semester/term? How much time is left for research? Am I expected to do research my first year?
  • What kind of electives do students take?

Lifestyle & Community

  • How is the local area/housing/food/transportation?
  • Is the stipend comfortable?
    • Are provisions for housing/health insurance/etc. adequate?
  • How do I find a place to live? (w/ a significant other?)
    • Is there couples housing in grad apartments?
    • Where do most students live? Houses or apartments?
  • How is the gym? What athletic facilities are available?
  • How often do students go on trips together (hiking, climbing, downtown, etc.)
  • Is there a graduate student union? How can I participate?
  • Is the type of social life you desire available?

Research

  • Do different research groups collaborate?
    • Collaboration between departments?
  • How frequently do you use observing/computational facilities?
    • What is the process of applying for time like? What kind of projects get time? Can graduate students apply for time?
  • Overall time commitment to research each week?
  • How often do students attend conferences? What kind?
  • Do you ever feel under pressure to produce results?

Advisors

  • How are the advisors, generally? Do you like yours? Why/why not?
    • Do most students like working with their advisor? Any to stay away from?
  • Do students ever switch advisors?
  • How much monetary support is there for research/travel/etc.
  • How independent is the research of the students? Do students work together and/or with the advisor?
  • How active is the advisor in the student's projects?
  • How frequently is the advisor available?
  • How quickly does the advisor publish completed work? Avg # of publications in their lab/group?

Teaching & Outreach

  • Overall time commitment to teaching each week?
  • Which classes can we TA?
    • What kind of students take those? (Undergrad majors/engineers/non-majors?)
  • How often do you engage in outreach activities?
    • What programs are regularly available?
      • Astronomy on tap, public lectures, guided tours, sidewalk astronomy, visit local schools?

Ask potential advisors:

  • What is your graduate mentoring philosophy? What is your advising style?
    • Gauge how hands-on/off they may be, and if that is in line with your work style
  • How long does it typically take a graduate student to complete their PhD in your group?
  • What do you normally expect students to produce in terms of publications and presentations at conferences, before finishing their PhD?
  • I read your recent paper on ____ and I did not understand ____ [ask a question in accordance with the paper you are asking about]
    • Their response will allow you to assess if the mentor can come to your level of understanding and raise it. Try to understand their research!
  • How often do you meet with your students? What is your group meeting format?
  • What is your research group dynamics? Does your group ever get-together for social activities (e.g. hiking, BBQs, pubs)?
  • How do you feel about non-research careers for PhDs?
  • How do you prefer to give/receive feedback?