2019 acs graduate Student Survey Report

Percentage indicating they “strongly” or “somewhat” agree with each statement
A
B1 B2
C1 C2
Statement
I am satisfied with the amount 
and quality of time spent with my 
primary advisor.
72.1 
73.1 
72.0 
72.4
72.4
My primary advisor is satisfied
with my research productivity.
69.8 
72.1 
67.6 
69.8
70.2
I get along well with my 
primary advisor.
84.2 
85.1 
84.4 
84.8
84.2
My primary research advisor is 
out of touch with the career issues 
that graduate students face.
26.9 
24.1 
26.7 
20.3
28.8*
My primary research advisor
sees me as a productive member
of the research group.
78.3 
79.1 
78.3 
79.3
78.3
All 
students
Female 
respondents
Male 
respondents
Female 
advisor
Male 
advisor
Table 3.3.2.3. Ratings of Relationship With Primary Advisor (For Those Students with One Advisor,
by Gender) 
primary sources of support for both doctoral and master’s degree students. Only 39% of doc-
toral degree students and 43% of master’s degree students reported receiving “a lot” of support 
from their primary research advisor. However, 72.3% of doctoral degree students and 65.2% of 
master’s degree students reported ideally desiring “a lot” of support from their primary research 
advisor.
Interestingly, master’s degree students, more than doctoral degree students, reported receiving 
“a lot” of support from an alumnus/a and other faculty besides their primary research advisor at 
their current institution. Doctoral degree students were more likely than master’s degree students 
to report getting “none” or “moderate” support from their primary research advisor, other faculty, 
postdocs, administrators and staff members, or an alumnus/a at their current institutions, but 
they indicated desiring a higher level of support from these individuals.
Data in Table 3.3.2.5. on page 28 indicate that female respondents were more likely than male 
ones to indicate that they received “a lot” of support from family and friends. Additionally, male 
respondents were more likely to report getting “none” or “moderate” support from family and 
friends. However, male respondents did not report desiring additional support from these groups, 
while a higher percentage of female ones did. Additionally, female respondents more than male 
ones reported desiring more support from other groups, such as their fellow graduate students.