So, you're a graduate student at MSU.

Do you think your college is preparing you well enough for life after graduation? Is it giving you the support you really need?

Now is your chance to voice your thoughts.

Until April 1, certain graduate students can take a 10-minute survey about their specific graduate programs on the Graduate School's Web site at www.msu.edu/user/gradschl.

The results help administrators evaluate MSU's graduate programs, said Graduate School Associate Dean Antonio Nuñez.

"We use the data to identify good practices, as well as areas that need the attention of faculty and administrators," he said.

Since March 1, the survey has been available for all current master's and doctoral students at MSU who wish to comment on the positive and negative aspects of their journey to a degree. The survey is offered every four to seven years. The last one was in 2000.

Both first-year and non-first year students can take the survey; however, the questions vary between the two groups.

For graduate students who have been here longer than a year, the questions deal with satisfaction levels about their "disciplinary training and other aspects of their professional growth," Nuñez said.

"From first-year students, we seek information about the factors that determined their selection of MSU for their graduate education and how their programs are meeting their expectations."

The survey features questions that take students' need for public resources into account.

"It asks a lot about what sort of resources are available for work, computer facilities, the ability to work across departments, library facilities and how clearly expectations are laid out," said media and information studies graduate student Brad Love, who also is the president of the Council of Graduate Students.

One type of question is especially stressed in the survey.

"The biggest one has to do with what type of support is offered," Love said. "It's important to be put in a position where you can succeed and be put on a good career, personal interest path.

Some graduate students realize this survey helps the university recognize and improve possible problems.

"I think it's good to know what students are thinking in general," plant biology graduate student Jarrod Morrice said. "That's what the university's function is for: Without having some kind of feedback, they can't change things for the better, and without stuff like this, the university can't really improve for the students."

The survey is anonymous and secure. The deadline has been extended until April 1.