PhD at same school as undergrad?

[runner89]

So, I applied to a bunch of grad schools, and have heard back from about half. All were rejections, or admit with no up front funding. Except for the school I am currently doing my undergrad at. I have been accepted, and given funding and tuition waiver. I need to make a decision on whether to accept or decline this offer within a week, and I still haven't heard from all of the schools! I have heard mixed things about sticking around to do grad work at the same institution, but I don't want to let my only opportunity fly out the window and be left with nothing. I have contacted several of the programs I am waiting to hear from, and received responses along the lines of "your application is being processed, a decision has not been made at this time". Which is driving me crazy. So thoughts, anyone? Some input would be really helpful.

Thanks!

[lyonessrampant]

Ask your undergrad institution where you have an acceptance to extend the deadline for you to give them an answer.

[basst]

I am in almost the same situation: applied to many schools, heard back half of them, accepted without funding except my undergrad institution. I think I am going to attend no funding school. I took some graduate classes, which can transfer if I stay at the same school, but I don't know what courses I am going to take after that. I think meet new people, create connections, and be in new atmosphere might be a good idea. You should ask whether you can get funding later on or not.

[runner89]

Thanks for the replies. I did contact the school accepted to without funding, and did not get much information regarding funding later on. I am becoming more and more inclined to accept the offer at my undergrad school, because its something I can afford without taking out (more) loans. And as for asking them for more time, I am a little wary of that because I don't want to come off as uninterested, and have them rescind the offer. Any other suggestions? Anyone have experience with this? If I was planning on staying for a masters I would feel better about it, but the 5 years for a PhD just seem like a long time to deal with a wrong decision.

[switch]

They are probably averse to risks in this economy, and they don't have to take risks due to the large number of applicants. Unless your undergrad is horrible for some reason (location, politics, educational quality) you should probably take the offer.

[juilletmercredi]

Asking for more time doesn't make you seem uninterested. If you were uninterested, you would turn down the offer. It makes you look like you are carefully considering multiple offers, or waiting for acceptances and funding offers from other schools to make an informed choice. This is something virtually all grad students do. So I would contact the school and ask for an extension so you can make a carefully thought out decision.

Do you have something against your undergrad school? How's the research fit with your mentors; what's the placement rate like? If the program is otherwise decent and the only reason you are hesitating is because you went to undergrad there, I would go ahead and go barring any better offers. I've heard the argument both ways (that it matters, and that no one cares) but I've seen plenty of professors with all three degrees from the same place and they seem to do fine. If you have an excellent record of research and publication, I find it hard to believe that a search committee will turn you down solely because you got all of your degrees from the same place.

[Tall Chai Latte]

I second juilletmercredi's post. Just be honest with your undergrad institution and say that you would like to make an informed decision, and asking them how long the extension would be. As for staying in the same school for another degree, I had that dilemma during my decision time, and had heard arguments going both ways. Eventually I turned down my alma mater and chose the stranger school (my current program). Once I started school and getting to know my professors and peers, I found it's not uncommon seeing someone with 2 degrees from the same institute. A number of my professors and post docs have done so, and some are doing perfectly fine and some are not.... So I guess it depends on how you choose to handle your own graduate career -- it's all about you. If you are happy and well-developed, where you go to school would matter less. Just my two cents, hang in there!

[runner89]

Thanks alot everyone, this really has been helpful. I do love my undergrad school, and have nothing against staying here for grad school. Its a great program, I already have a pretty strong relationship with my advisor, and I have no doubt I can be successful here. I guess I just wanted someone to dispel the negatives I have heard about staying at the same place. So unless some miracle offer from another school comes in the next 7 days, I will be accepting. :-)