To transfer or not to transfer (Oregon, Mathematics)

[rackrmnn]

Hi everyone,

So I've a nasty decision on my hands, and hope someone here can share their thoughts. Right now I'm a Masters Student at Virginia Tech. I went to VT for my undergrad too, and entered the program intending on transferring to somewhere else for my Ph.D. Things didn't quite work out as planned. Right now I'm waitlisted at four (!) schools and accepted to University of Oregon. I also can stay at VT.

If it comes down to VT or Oregon, I've no idea what I'm going to do. Right now at VT I have an advisor who I get along great with and has really gotten me into low dimensional topology. Oregon has a great program, better than VT's, but I worry about being able to find an advisor there. They're focused in algebraic topology and differential geometry, both of which I like, but neither of which I'm particularly good at nor do I have a passion for at the moment. I break it down like this:

VT Pros: Definitely have an advisor I can work with, in an area I love. Get to keep my friends and girlfriend

VT Cons: Probably career suicide to stay here. VT is not known for its pure mathematics. Plus, I'm the only grad student here in my area, and few if any courses are offered in my area.

Oregon Pros: Focused department with a good program. Great location. Better job outlook.

Oregon Cons: Research is focused in areas I like, but maybe not enough to do a dissertation on. Small department.

Anyone have any advice?

Thanks a bunch.

[rising_star]

I think you need to turn down Oregon and hope you get in off a waitlist. You definitely should transfer somewhere though, to avoid the academic incest thing.

[mareserinitatis]

Are you thinking OSU? I'd try to talk to some grad students and get a taste for the department. I had a friend drop out of her PhD program there because of political crap. (Just an FYI.)

Good luck, no matter what you decide to do.

[rackrmnn]

heh, no, not Oregon State. By "Oregon" I mean "University of Oregon." Thanks for the info, though.