Sex and Discipline Differences in Professional Socialization

Lack of women as role-models on the faculty, which affects the socialization process of the woman graduate student.* Poor formal advising procedures, which are the source of much unnecessary confusion and bitterness.* Exclusion of women from the informal communications network by both faculty and graduate students, which contributes to an increasing sense of invisibility as time passes.* Exclusion of women from the traditional apprentice relationships with faculty.* Indifference of professors.Many women feel that the remoteness and unapproachability of professors makes it difficult to seek advice and help.* Mystery, characterized by the lack of easy availability of information.Many women cited the absence of well-defined, public criteria for evaluation, requirements, or procedures.* Secrecy.Many complained about the absence of information about attrition, flunking, and success rates within the department; about the length of time it takes to get the degre~; about the employment situation once they earn the degree.There were also complaints about the absence of due process for students who felt they were wrongfully being dropped from doctoral programs.