Transferring graduate schools
Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2012 9:58 pm
New account to preserve anonymity.
While I'm only a first year, I have already realized that the school I am attending is not a good fit in either offered coursework or research opportunities. At the end of the day, this was my only option and I took it. I know that part of the reason I am unhappy (with the program) is research fit, but some of it also has to do with courses and the overall quality of the program.
My grades as an undergrad were...sporadic. I suffered from heavy depression for most of the time I was an undergrad, and only sorted it out at the very end, once all grades were finalized. It took a while to find a good medication and routine. This definitely affected my grades (physics grades ranging from a lone C- to A's), and I suppose I should have mentioned this in my PS or something, but alas, I didn't and was left with only one grad school option. Some schools even told me I was a great candidate, except for a few notable grades on my transcript.
I am doing much better now mentally, enough so that I can actually concentrate and not feel challenged by my courses--part of my desire to leave.
I realize that above part may have seemed like a self-indulgent rant (forgive me), but I hope this next part ties back in. I wish to transfer to a much more competitive school, and realize my past failures will majorly affect my future opportunities. At the moment, I plan on staying at my current school for two years, enough time to pass quals and be certain that I do not wish to continue research with the professor I've already started to explore research with. How do I best prepare for a transfer a year and a half down the road? I plan on retaking the PGRE to make myself more competitive (plus, old scores aren't sent anymore), and I also plan to heavily research the BEST fit for me (specific professors) and contact them at the beginning of next summer.
I'd really appreciate any advice--I royally screwed up in every possible way the first time through, and I really just want to study the physics that interests me. I am willing to do anything to make that happen this second time. Thanks for reading, and for all of your help--it means a lot.
Best
DramDr
While I'm only a first year, I have already realized that the school I am attending is not a good fit in either offered coursework or research opportunities. At the end of the day, this was my only option and I took it. I know that part of the reason I am unhappy (with the program) is research fit, but some of it also has to do with courses and the overall quality of the program.
My grades as an undergrad were...sporadic. I suffered from heavy depression for most of the time I was an undergrad, and only sorted it out at the very end, once all grades were finalized. It took a while to find a good medication and routine. This definitely affected my grades (physics grades ranging from a lone C- to A's), and I suppose I should have mentioned this in my PS or something, but alas, I didn't and was left with only one grad school option. Some schools even told me I was a great candidate, except for a few notable grades on my transcript.
I am doing much better now mentally, enough so that I can actually concentrate and not feel challenged by my courses--part of my desire to leave.
I realize that above part may have seemed like a self-indulgent rant (forgive me), but I hope this next part ties back in. I wish to transfer to a much more competitive school, and realize my past failures will majorly affect my future opportunities. At the moment, I plan on staying at my current school for two years, enough time to pass quals and be certain that I do not wish to continue research with the professor I've already started to explore research with. How do I best prepare for a transfer a year and a half down the road? I plan on retaking the PGRE to make myself more competitive (plus, old scores aren't sent anymore), and I also plan to heavily research the BEST fit for me (specific professors) and contact them at the beginning of next summer.
I'd really appreciate any advice--I royally screwed up in every possible way the first time through, and I really just want to study the physics that interests me. I am willing to do anything to make that happen this second time. Thanks for reading, and for all of your help--it means a lot.
Best
DramDr