What Colleges and Universities Want in New Faculty
by Kathrynn A. Adams

What Do Graduate Students Say About the Benefits of PFF programs?
Obviously, graduate students say a great many things about their PFF programs, but in one matter they are virtually unanimous. In surveys of 357 doctoral students, conducted in 1995 and 1996, 99 percent of them said they would recommend their PFF programs to others. In a survey of 100 doctoral students in the sciences and mathematics at thirteen universities in 2001, all said they would recommend their PFF program to others, as did forty-one of forty-two graduate faculty.

Some comments of graduate students:

“My experience with the PFF project has been one of the highlights—if not the highlight of my doctoral study.” (English student)

“I feel that I am gaining twenty steps on some of my departmental colleagues who are not benefiting from this program.” (history student)

“PFF was one of the best parts of my doctoral education.” (chemistry student)

“PFF made me rethink my own personal niche—the precise balance that I wanted in my career between teaching and research.” (mathematics student)

“I liked interacting with the faculty (at a small liberal arts college). … What I particularly liked was the candor of the faculty I spoke to; they all seemed to be genuine and honest, which I really appreciated. They told me how to present my strengths on my vita, the different aspects of faculty life, and how to interact with students.” (sociology student)

Certainly these sentiments are not shared by every PFF student, but they are far more common than not.