Graduate school is not for everyone. - Graduate Research Associate The Ohio State University Employee Review

Graduate research associates are not students and are not staff. As a senior graduate student, taking classes is frowned upon. Despite the fact that you work well over 40 hours a week your contract is for 20 hours a week making you part time staff. As part time staff you are not entitled to any benefits that apply to employees of the Ohio State University. GRAs are compensated for far less than what they are worth had they taken a job outside of academia and are rarely recognized for their contributions. GRAs are expected to give up their life and free time to work in the lab.