I think much of what he wrote is good advice for doing a PhD. That being said,I would recommend avoiding an advisor with this kind of attitude if at all possibl

I think much of what he wrote is good advice for doing a PhD. That being said,I would recommend avoiding an advisor with this kind of attitude if at all possible. Despite what he says, he sounds like many professors who focus on the reputation game, carefully weeding out any students that might adversely affect their reputation. In other words, education is not their priority. As far as the RA memo, what the author failed to mention is that the grant-RA relationship is a two way street. PI's need students to do their research for them and they need students simply to receive grants. They are not supporting students just because they are nice, but rather because they need them.