Pros
Other grad students were engaged in developing each others skills (e.g. initiating reading groups, study times, professional development). The main support I received were from other students and not department faculty or administrators. I was able to secure a full stipend to cover cost of tuition and minimal living costs from my department.
Cons
The Faculty in my department were somewhat out of touch with the best ways to help individual grad students. Furthermore, I was a teaching assistant and saw the indifference that some faculty instructors show their students. Many of them (not all!) are more interested in their research. Even newer faculty, who may have a "pass" were not supported by more established faculty in order to improve their skills. Overall, this was the most discouraging.