grad school experience

I knew there's a book, a good book, about everything, but I have been having trouble finding one about grad school. But I did find one a couple of weeks back. If you are considering grad school (academic), check out:

Getting what you came for
by Robert Peters

It's more of a breadth than a depth book and despite what the author claims (multiple times!) I think the book isn't of value to current grad students (except maybe for comic relief). The book is best suited, in my opinion, for people contemplating grad school to get some basic info on admissions and the experience so that they can better decide for themselves if grad school is right for them. Of course there's no substitute to actually talking to grad students and professors, but I find that grad students are in general rather bitter and professors too positive about their chosen profession.

The book also has great advice, though nothing earth shattering, on grad school admissions and how to plan your years in grad school so that you are focused, efficient, and most importantly, graduate. But the chapter on getting an academic job is weak and dated. In fact, I was disappointed there wasn't a lot of info on how academic hiring process works and how best a young PhD can get that elusive assistant professorship.

Even the revised edition was published in 1997 so the info on technology is quaint. But all in all, the writing is good and there's great value in unveiling academia for anyone considering grad school.

Now if you are considering riding out the recession by going to grad school, please don't. Other than it being a really bad idea, you will make it difficult for me to get in. If you are, however, considering going to law school (not that that's such a good idea either), check out:

Law School Confidential
by Robert H. Miller

That's a fantastic book for a prospective (or even current) law student.