[2023 Applicants]

7 hours ago, conswrtng said:

 

Hi toad11, I'm an international student, so I'm not even sure what I'm saying, but conversations I've had with current PhD students  iin the US always led me to believe rankings were not so important. That the most important part of choosing a PhD program is the relationship with the advisor... 

What do you feel that is happening in your current program? Is there a lack of funding due to raking levels falling? Or are you worried you won't get a good job after you graduate due to the program's reputation?

Also, I've never heard of anyone changing programs in their second year, but you should prioritize your well-being. If you feel you won't get your reputation 'marked' for this, go for it!

My two cents is that if I made this switch in my country, dropping off one program and trying to apply to others, and if my advisor got offended, I would probably be frowned upon in my field because professors talk... But I would also never be able to continue in a program where I am uncomfortable and anxious/stuck. So even if I were to be frowned upon, I would reapply and change. 

 

Thanks so much for your reply! No, the programme in general is great--love the professors and the courses. The funding is okayish for the area--not great but competitive enough if you are not looking at the obvious ones with great funding like Yale and Princeton... The programme in itself has done nothing to jeopardize my well-being but it's just the ranking and people saying "top ten or bust" is what's freaking me out.

[2023 Application Thread]

On 11/2/2022 at 1:13 AM, OHSP said:

Hey, this doesn't sound ridiculous but rankings are not the best reason to shift program, especially if you're getting those ranking from somewhere like US news -- no matter where you are the chances of a job are slim, and it's possible your program still has a good reputation (this is partly about your advisors). Are you being well supported by your current advisors? Have you been able to take the kinds of classes you wanted to take? Are there opportunities for you, including research funding? Do you think your dissertation is going to go where you want it to go if you stay in this program? Do you think you'll be supported through exams? I.e. are there reasons other than rankings to leave (or to stay)? 

FYI this is a history thread, but same advice applies. 

Thanks so much for responding! The programme is super small which is an advantage--all the professors are very helpful too in spite of being pretty big names in their fields. The funding is pretty good too and once upon a time they used to be a prestigious programme--I don't know what has happened in the last 5 years or so but yes, for me, the ranking is the only factor that's leading me to such thoughts!

[2023 Application Thread]

 

Hello! I have a rather weird question. I am currently in an English literature  phd programme but it is ranked in the 80s. The programme's ranking has fallen over the years since it used to be in the 30s just about 5 years ago. I was wondering if reapplying to a better programme is even an option and if people ever do that. When I came in I was concerned about the department's speciality in a sub-field but all the talk about rankings has had me freaked out and I have been wondering if I should continue in the current programme at all. It is a very small programme but the rankings are a bit unnerving. I am in my second year and can only make a major shift now. Any later than this would be suicidal! Also, is it okay to get recommendations from professors in my current programme? I am sorry if this sounds completely ridiculous but I have been having this nagging thought for a while now and haven't been able to do much due to crippling anxiety. I know this a history forum but thought I could get some suggestions here! Thanks in advance!

 

 

[2023 Applicants]

Hello! I have a rather weird question. I am already in a phd programme but it is ranked in the 80s. The programme's ranking has fallen over the years since it used to be in the 30s at some point. I was wondering if reapplying to a better programme is even an option and if people do that. When I came in I was concerned about the department's speciality in a sub-field but all the talk about rankings has had me freaked out and I have been wondering if I should continue in the current programme at all. It is a very small programme but the rankings are a bit unnerving. I am in my second year and can only make a major shift now. Any later than this would be suicidal! Also, is it okay to get recommendations from professors in my current programme? I am sorry if this sounds completely ridiculous but I have been having this nagging thought for a while now and haven't been able to do much due to crippling anxiety. Thanks in advance!