Physics GRE Discussion Forums

I'm just about to finish my first year at university here in Australia, and have began building relationships with a few professors and researchers that will hopefully lead to some summer research opportunities and solid letters of rec. Here's the deal - I've applied to transfer to another, slightly more reputable university, at the end of the year. I think I'm in a fairly good position at the moment at my current university in terms of research prospects, and I know that in transferring I will essentially have to start over and perhaps miss out on a small research opportunity this summer. So it comes down to this - if I stay put, I may be able to garner more personal and overall higher quality letters of rec when the time comes, whereas if I transfer I will have the benefit of having a more internationally recognized university next to my name. Could anyone offer advice on what option would more greatly increase my chances of admission into a top US graduate school programm, or if it matters at all?

For the record, my current university typically ranks 6th-8th in Australia, while the university I have applied to ranks 1st-3rd, and has produced 2 Nobel laureates (both in Medicine).

You're early enough in your undergrad career that switching makes sense, IMO. Just make sure you talk to your current professors about it, and preferably get the one who knows (and likes) you best to agree to write you a letter of recommendation sometime down the line.

Out of curiosity, if your goal is to do a PhD in the US, why not transfer to a US undergrad institution now? Admissions are certainly less competitive for US citizens and foreign nationals than for international students.

I just returned from the US earlier this year (dual citizenship). I chose specifically to do my undergrad in Australia primarily because the financial aid scheme is fantastic here, and the unversities available to me far outweighed what was available to me in the US.

Most people don't start research until their junior year. Transfer to a better school and get a research position there, and you're still ahead of the game research-wise. You'll still have plenty of time to build up solid letters.

Oh word, dual citizenship. Lucky you Australia's one of the few countries that allows dual citizenship with the US (and vice versa), ya?

One of, yes.

With regards to original question... My brother in law is actually a postdoc at my current university, and has offered to put me in touch with another researcher (and friend) who happens to have strong ties to MIT and Caltech (worked as postdoc at MIT for 5 years, continues to collaborate). Worth staying for, or still opt to transfer?

How far is the other university ?

Could you still move to the better university but still do research in the summer with the researcher at your former university ?

Mataka wrote:How far is the other university ?

Could you still move to the better university but still do research in the summer with the researcher at your former university ?

Very close by. I'm sure summer research would still be feasible, but ideally I would have liked to be involved during the academic year also. Transferring might complicate this, if not make it impossible.