Program Size — French, Vanderbilt University

A large faculty may offer a wider range of research opportunities, whereas a small faculty may afford students greater attention from specific faculty members. However, student/faculty ratio is probably a better indication of the amount of individual attention given to students than faculty size.

Highly interdisciplinary programs may offer students a broader range of research topics and methods.

A low student/faculty ratio may increase the chance of working with a specific faculty member. A low ratio may also indicate a larger pool of potential faculty advisers and research topics to select from.