Changing schools?

Question

I would like to know, is it preferable to change schools, as you move from being an undergraduate to graduate.
Or is it better to stick with the same school

Answer 1

Here's the bottom line:

When you are choosing graduate schools, it would be completely stupid to consider only the graduate school connected with your undergraduate university. Graduate students are supposed to shoot for the best programs in their field.

So, as an undergrad, choose the best school to which you can gain admission. As a grad program applicant, apply to the programs in the field of study that have faculty who specialize in your specific area of interest, and shoot for the best ones.

For example, if you are a history major and want to go to grad school, by your senior year you should know what your specific area of interest is (19th c. America, or medieval Europe, or 9th c. China, etc.), and what your preferred methodology is (historiography, Annales school methodology, social history, demography, military history, etc.). At that point, find out where the top scholars who specialize in that area are, and where the top practitioners of those methodologies are, and apply to those programs.

Answer 2

This really depends a lot on your situation, your major, and what you plan to do for a living.

If you're majoring in something that has different schools of thought, like Philosophy, Psychology, most of the physical sciences, etc., and you're planning on getting a job somewhere when you're done, you're far better off doing graduate work at another school - preferably one that concentrates on different areas than the school you're currently attending. You'll appear more diversified to future employers, and won't be stuck in a certain way of thinking.

If you're majoring in something relatively "stable", i.e., something that you'd learn roughly the same information regardless of where you go to school - or, if you're planning to teach, then you're really no better off going to a different school. It's probably not going to matter. So, if that's the case, and you're comfortable where you are, then stay put.

Each scenario has it's positives and negatives, regardless of your future plans. Staying put means you'll probably establish really close relationships with a lot of your professors - which means really good references. Going to another school gives you the possibilites of learning entirely different things about your major, and can open up more doors for you.

What it comes down to, though, is what feels right for YOU. There's no point in going to a different school, if you're going to be miserable the whole time you're there.

Good luck with your decision!

Answer 3

It all depends upon the situation. If you have a good thing going at the school you already attend, it probably would be best to switch schools, but that would only be if you have one or two years left of school. But if you feel unwelcome at the school you are attending, then a change might be good.

Answer 4

IT's probably healthy for a change. I plan on going to a different graduate school than my undergrad school. But if you really like your school apply to their grad school. It's all about what makes you happy.

Answer 5

go to the best graduate program you can get into. If thats at another school than you currently move, then go ahead and move. Most of us grad students at Stanford didn't do undergrad here.