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Arizona State University

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The School of Life Sciences is not a school, strictly a research institution, and the students ultimately get shafted. - Graduate Student Arizona State University Employee Review

1.0
Sep 21, 2013
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

A wide range of faculty experienced in many fields, access to a wide variety of scientific instrumentation, competitive graduate stipends in the hard sciences.

Cons

The School of Life Sciences is fraught with terrific egos, resultant power and fame struggles, and an emerging good 'ole boys network accessible only by those that speak Spanish. The undergraduate students attend classes of 300+ and have practically zero access to their professors because teaching is about #55 on their priority list, seeing as how they have to devote the majority of their time to research or climbing administrative ladders. Only a handful of professors stand out as genuine, balanced people that are effective in their teaching responsibilities and mentoring responsibilities in regard to their graduate students. Many professors have extremely unprofessional personalities and approaches to dealing with their students, both inside the classroom and laboratory settings. Mistreatment of graduate students is not uncommon and there is virtually zero accountability on the part of the tenured faculty--the stories are mind-bending. If you are considering attending this particular school within ASU, you may want to reconsider a smaller school if you like professors that are engaged, balanced, and have more time to devote to being an ACTUAL professor.

Explore other reviews about Arizona State University

5.0
Jun 30, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Good research environment and great teachers

Cons

Long hours working on research

2.0
Jun 29, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Competitive pay for some positions, some great colleagues.

Cons

The "culture" in some non academic departments is incredibly toxic. Employees often see others as competitors and some will try to throw others under the bus to avoid being in trouble from senior leaders. It is slow to get any work done if you need upper admin approval and often time work that you have created and completed is thrown away and never looked at again. Personalities of some administrators is very fake and friendly, when they will cut you with no regard or thoughts. The senior administrators of ASU act in a cult like manner and tightly control many goals, works, etc. You will most often have little to no freedom to accomplish the goals that you know would be best for your department because you spend an inordinate amount of time on projects deemed important to senior leaders, that have little to no impact but padding a report for someone in Fulton. Culture is extremely toxic in many areas, and senior leaders refuse to listen to those serving and trying to provide feedback. There is heavy turnover in many areas, while adminstrators turn a blind eye to it and chalk it up to "normal" turnover. Many mid level managers end up sick, stressed, seeking new employment, or taking FMLA to try to deal with the stress and trauma. You will have little opportunity for advancement unless you move departments regularly, or by hunkering down to be a lackey. Routinely expect last minute requirements and expectations, budget cuts without notice, and little to no professional development or support. Depending on the area you may also deal with difficult students/parents who are not held accountable for their actions.

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