offthewall

Thank you so much for the input @GreenEyedTrombonist and @fuzzylogician. You guys have given me a lot to think about and you both make such good points For now, I think I'll continue to work on my application kit etc. But I'll hold off on submitting anything until I really think this through (though I feel like my heart is set. I'll wait to see if anything changes until then.) I may end up waiting this out for a year. If things are still the same by then, I'll take it as a sign and follow through with the apps. I've spoken to a number of faculty members at my previous university, but from them, I've also received conflicting advice. I only wish I could speak to someone who had gone through a transfer.

How do admissions committees evaluate PhD transfer students? My current program really isn't as good of a fit I thought it would be. I'd love to transfer out to a different program, but how is it perceived by other programs? Should I wait a whole year before applying (meaning I'll start at the new school during my third year)? Or should I start applying during this round (that way I start at the new school, if I get in of course, during my second year)?