Soup

Thanks for sharing. I think trying to make a "transfer" would be so messy (and time consuming) its not worth it- I'll keep working at giving my current situation my best shot. Its especially frustrating since, if I never got into that other school, I think I'd be very happy with where I am. ugh.

I'm a couple weeks into a science PhD at a highly ranked dept at a large R1 university, which also happens to be the place that I got my B.S. a few years ago. Six months ago my choice between this school and a highly ranked Ivy League dept was the hardest decision I've ever faced. Ultimately I decided to come back to my alma mater based primarily on adivser and project, along with proximity to some family and friends. However, what has seemed like the reasonable choice over the summer seems clearly wrong now that I'm back in my college town. Despite the fact that my adviser is great and I'm excited about the work I will do, I feel utterly trapped being back in my home state. I cannot shake the feeling that, while this is a great opportunity, I am not living up to my full potential and have robbed myself of the opportunity to get a fresh start in a new place. Its gotten to the point that I find myself daydreaming and scheming about ways to go back on my decision instead of focusing on the work at hand. So, has anyone else been in a predicament like this? Any ideas on how to deal with it?