For anyone considering where to go to graduate school... One's PhD experience is highly dependent on the university one attends and especially the professor th

For anyone considering where to go to graduate school... One's PhD experience is highly dependent on the university one attends and especially the professor that one works under. Each lab has a different culture and each professor treats students differently. It also matters a lot whether you are on fellowship or not (someone funded directly from a professor's grant is easier to bully/exploit). Just like you should speak to employees at a company before joining it to get an idea of culture and work/life balance, prospective graduate students should speak to current graduate students to get an idea of life at a given lab. Most graduate students are openly aware of which professors are known for treating students like indentured servants and which are known for being hands off and generous with research funds. If you are trying to pick a university/lab, definitely go to visits and speak to 4th/5th year grad students (preferably over a beer or two). Typically by the end of their PhD, graduate students are willing to tell you the truth about the different labs/professors. Also, remember that is often totally ok to switch labs within 1-2 years. Yes, it may set you back some on your progress, but it can be much better than being miserable for 5 years.