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[theoryofmind]

While I'm still anxiously awaiting any word at all from most of the schools I've applied to, I have undertaken two campus visits in the past month.  One, an underfunded program at a huge but somewhat prestigious land grant university, offers office space (generally shared, but in some cases individual) to all its graduate students.  However, the other school, a well-known program at a well-endowed private research university, doesn't provide any office space to graduate students. 

I was shocked by this.  At my undergraduate institution, a mid-sized state school, all PhD students and most masters students seem to have their own offices.  Furthermore, the department at the private school with no office space doesn't even have a graduate student lounge, or really any other public space in which to work during the day.  It seems that day-to-day life there would entail FREQUENT trips back and forth between the library (or other study space) and the department.

My question is twofold: A.) How common are these situations, which of these two schools is the exception?  Do most graduate programs provide offices, or is having your own space in the department a great luxury?

and

B.) How much does the presence or absence of office space affect the daily life of a graduate student?  At the state school, I could envision myself happily spending all day in my departmental building, using my office as a base of operations, which would enable me to be more productive during free time between classes and other obligations.  Seems it would also allow one to be a more visible presence in the social life of the department.  However, without an office, I would envision a more itinerant, undergraduate-like lifestyle, coming to the department when required to for class, but spending most of the day wandering between the library and various other study spaces or cafes, and even staying home when I don't have specific obligations.  It seems to me that option A would be more conducive to a productive graduate career.

So sorry for the INCREDIBLY long post, but what's YOUR take on these issues?  These two schools are my top choices, and I'd like to know if I should let things like this affect my decision.

[locutus]

Interesting. I'm a little surprised that a well endowed private school would have no space for graduate students.

I don't think it should be your make or break issue, but I think it's definitely something to consider. I personally would balk at a department that didn't even have a desk for me. I'm not sure how common the situations are and I do think it can vary between departments within schools. In my department everyone at least has a desk somewhere. Granted some folks are in tight shared space while others have spacious corner offices on the top floor (don't get me started).

[kilpikonna]

I've had space in one or two shared offices my whole time in grad school, and I'll tell you my work life got way more pleasant when I started working elsewhere some of the time.  (locutus, your bitterness is all too familiar. ;) )

That said -- I would feel really weird if I didn't *have* an office.  I think I'd feel less a part of the department, in the way you suggest.  And I would dislike not having anywhere to work on days when I need to be near, but not in, the lab.

So, I can see why it strikes you as odd.  I'd worry about other things more -- especially advisor fit and funding, and perhaps placement statistics if you can dig those up.  But having it be one factor among many seems reasonable.

[gayle]

Most folks here get a cube in a room containing 4-10 cubes.

English comp TAs seem to be two to an office.  This may be a function of their need to have a space for writing conferences with students, or it may just be a function of the space available in that particular building.

[hmaria1609]

There wasn't a formal office space for LS grad students at my state university.  We did have our own dept computer lab, only open during the weekdays. Can't say about the others on campus.

[bewilderedta]

In my department we have several shared offices but our own desks. There's probably around 10 students to the office total, but it's rare for more than 4-5 of us to be in at a time.

This set up isn't especially good for getting serious work done - for that I go elsewhere, because people do chat a bit. On the other hand, I like it for the social aspect. It's nice to have people to chat with if you feel like it, or have a an impromptu lunch or whatever. I think it would be harder to get to know the other students if I only saw them on official occasions.

[croaker]

We had cubes and it was noisy so I had to go elsewhere to get any work done. The students where I am now share offices.

[roarheels]

I am in the no office situation in grad school, whereas my undergrad had four grad students in my field to an office. The differences are striking, because I know perhaps three of my fellow grad students. We only meet for class, and then we all disperse to our chose study places. It really is a nightmare. I meet my students in the hall of our building for office hours on a bench that is set up there. The department suggests that profs lend their offices to their TA's but I am sure you all can imagine how often that actually happens. I generally study at home, and take huge bags of books back and forth to campus often late at night when I can park somewhere. Having any office would be a joy, but you cannot even apply for a shared study room in the library until the fifth year here. Consequently, you actually have to start diss research with no permanent place on campus to work. The situation is so bad that I have had profs give me a pass on a missed book for research because they know I live 45 minutes away and cannot just hop over to library. If I had a real space on campus this would be inexcusable. Take the office, as I go to a top five private on a huge fellowship, but I long for the land grant and some space to think.  

[crowie]

Believe me, not having an office (even a shared one) in grad school sucks.  It sucks on so many levels.  Nowhere to get work done, nowhere to meet students, nowhere to dump your stuff etc. etc. etc.  It's crappy.  I don't know how common it is to have or not to have grad student office space.  I would imagine it usually has to do with the campus in general not having enough space, being in a high density or high real-estate cost area etc.

Only you can decide if it's a deal breaker (good money and good mentorship can make up for a lot) but if you do  get accepted and then decide to reject the school without offices please, please, I beg you, take a moment to let the school know that lack of office space was one of your concerns.  In fact, if they are trying to actively recruit you, mention it then.  That way, they might be able to take it to the dean and say 'we are losing good students because of the tightfisted allocation of space here' which may help us all in the long run!

[polly_mer]

When I was a graduate student, we shared offices (once 8 to an office), but everyone got a desk.  Oddly, the 8 to an office place had the nicest desks. 

One of the arguments put forth by the "8 to an office" professor was "You should have in depth knowledge of three dissertations, yours and your two nearest neighbors."  It was actually a great working environment.  Well, except for the summer that we listened to Mel Torme 10 hours a day because person within two months of defending got first crack at the boombox.  But other than that, it was wonderful.

[miraceli]

I practically lived half my life in my office for four years while in Grad school. When I have to vacate it, it was like moving: lots of boxes, paper everywhere, frames to be wrapped...

I had an especially cute office, though. It even had (two) windows! And I shared it with a colleague who turned out to be a very good friend.

Having an office is very important, IMO. Especially if you live with other roomates, your office can be your "safe haven."

I also highly recommend getting a carrel at the library as soon as possible!

[olive]

My department has lab/lounge space for the grad students, and we all have shared offices.  Granted, none of our spaces are by any means luxurious, but they make life much, much better.  Since I don't live near campus, my office is also my base when I'm there, and I can't imagine what I'd do otherwise. 

I've also become good friends with my office-mate over the years we've shared.  We all started out in big offices with lots of grads packed in, and then as we advance in the program, we get smaller offices with just 2-3 students per office.  Now as I get closer to finishing up, I've already started up with the mild panic attacks as to what I'll do with all the books I've stashed there, since there's no room at home...

[imawakenow]

My question is twofold: A.) How common are these situations, which of these two schools is the exception?  Do most graduate programs provide offices, or is having your own space in the department a great luxury?

I did my M.A. at a different institution, but I shared an office then and am sharing one now. For my M.A., there were about 8 of us in a large room. Actually, we have about 8 in my current office too.

As others have noted, it's nice to have a place to put your things, meet with students (as T.A. or instructor of record), get ready for class, etc.

I also like having a place to go when the library is closed. I have access to my office 24/7 and often schedule myself to be in when I know no one else will be around.

To be honest, I never thought of having an office as a luxury--more like an expectation and necessity.

B.) How much does the presence or absence of office space affect the daily life of a graduate student?  ... I'd like to know if I should let things like this affect my decision.

Not having an office will mean that you won't have a base to operate from. It will get old, especially when you consider that you will be doing this for the next 4-6 years.

That said, I agree with the advice upthread. An excellent adviser who will train you to pursue whatever research agenda and/or academic career you have is invaluable. This is especially true when it comes to getting an academic job.

So, a well-known or even upcoming adviser who works well with and helps place grad students would be the deciding factor for me.

Oh, you might want to check and see if any of the libraries at well-endowed university allow grad students to check out or reserve cubicles. That might partially mitigate not having your own office space.

[leopard]

I wish I had an office. I think it's important for two reasons already mentioned: collegiality/interaction with fellow students and a designated place on campus to get work done.

There are library carrels but they are terrible cages (some even have metal gates/doors) with awful lighting.

I only see people in my program that are in my classes and I barely know any of the more advanced students (other than my advisor's). In contrast, at MA school, which had offices, I knew more people, knew what they were working on, and had great, stimulating conversations at random moments because we ran into one another and shared space.

An office shouldn't be the deciding factor, but it probably says something about the academic/social environment of the program.

[canadatourismguy]

I found an office important for another reason not previously mentioned: face time. 

People often discount the importance of face time but it does create an impression.  As a good graduate student, you in your office are there and always working hard (or so it looks). 

It was amazing how many times the old saying, 'out of sight, out of mind' comes to fruition. 

CTG