2019 acs graduate Student Survey Report

Table 3.3.3.2. Graduate Students’ Accommodation by Gender and Citizenship/Visa Status
Type of Residence 
Rent
91.0
90.3
92.3
97.3
89.5
Own
9.0
9.7
7.7
2.7
10.5 
Apartment
79.0
79.2
78.5
89.1
76.6
House
21.0
20.8
21.5
10.9
23.4
On campus 
9.1 
8.9 
8.6 
18.3 
6.5
Off campus 
90.9 
91.1 
91.4 
81.7 
93.5 
My parent(s) 
2.8 
2.8 
2.9 
0.8 
3.1
Significant other 
33.5 
35.5 
31.1 
20.8 
36.9
Roommates
36.0
33.9
39.4
52.3
31.7
Alone
24.5
25.0
22.9
17.5
26.3
Other family members
3.2
2.9
3.7
8.5
2.0
Note: In the above table, the largest n is reported for each group. For a breakdown of the number of responses, by each 
group, for every question, see below. 
The n’s reported below are the number of responses by each group for every question.
*n=1,885, 1,879, 1,880, 1,890
†n=1,006, 1,008 1,011, 1,017
‡n=767, 762, 760, 763
§n=370, 366, 366, 365
u
=1,471, 1,472, 1,472, 1,484
Male 
(n=767‡)
All 
(n=1,890*)
Female 
(n=1,017†)
Visa holders 
(n=370§)
U.S. Citizens
and permanent 
residents 
(n=1,484
u
)

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31
their career. Of graduate students who hold visas, 24%, 23%, and 24% currently plan to engage 
in short-, medium-, and long-term research experiences outside of the United States, respective-
ly. In contrast, 22%, 13%, and 12% of U.S. citizens and permanent residents currently plan to 
engage in short-, medium-, and long-term research experiences abroad, respectively, as of the 
time of the survey (Table 3.3.4.2). The data suggest that visa-holders are almost twice as likely 
as U.S. citizens and permanent residents to engage in future international research experienc-
es if those require a commitment of more than two weeks.The 508 graduate students who have 
engaged in or plan to engage in international research experiences were asked “How do you ex-
pect international research experiences will help you professionally?” Each open-ended answer 
was assigned to one or more of eleven impact themes (Table. 3.3.4.3).
By far, expanding cultural awareness and the professional network were the top two anticipated 
impacts of international research experiences. One respondent shared, “More exposure to dif-
ferent living and working environments would help in career decision-making.” Responses such 
as, “It looks good on my CV,” were in the minority. Bias, cultural barriers, and harassment in the 
United States showed up in some responses, such as, “While international research experience 
will be useful to network with other scientists and to gain a broader knowledge of the field, I am 
primarily interested in leaving the U.S. due to the hostile environment I face as a trans woman in 
the U.S.”
Duration of experience outside the United States
Short-term (up to 2 weeks, research experiences, 
conferences, workshops)
17.9 
9.0
Medium-term (2–6 weeks, research experiences) 
16.9 
3.5
Long-term (2–12 months, research experiences) 
35.4 
6.9
Visa holders 
(N=379)
U.S. Citizens 
and permanent 
residents 
(N=1,495)