auburn_sprite

Did you wait until the end of the semester to end your program? I'm worried about the time between now and when most applications are due (December). I'm conflicted whether I should stay as long as possible with my current program, find a job, or just take some time off.

I'm currently in my second semester of a PhD program in biomedical science at a research one institution. I am very unhappy at this univeristy and at first thought it was the stress starting a new program halfway across the country. Now I realize that I don't feel passionately about my reseach, the courses, or the university. After a lot of soul searching I have realized I want to go into public/global health. So, is it possible to reapply to public health programs? Will my reputation be damaged by leaving my PhD program for a new field? Will other grad schools see this as a major flaw? I don't want to ruin my chances at a higher education, but I'm just not where I belong. At my current univeristy I have a 3.6 (4.0 scale) GPA and will probably be earning a 4.0 at the end of this semester. I did withdrawl from a course first semester however. I did my undergrad at a small public university and had a 3.4 GPA. B.S. in Biology.