Transfering to another school?

[OldDome]

I'm a first year PhD student in life sciences (prefer not to go into more detail than that).

Well there's some anxiety among the first year students because of the people whom they said in interview had funding, about half have now said they do not.

I haven't heard much about transfering in graduate school other than people who move because their advisor is. One older student said that it's sometimes better to do so after you qualify because if you do before, they might make you start all over again and take a bunch of course work you've already had.

So my question is, if I have trouble finding a lab that can afford new graduate student can I go to another school without just dropping out?

If the people in my department find out that I'm considering going some where else, would it be considered a faux pas? Would they be offended and then have it out for me if I don't leave after all or if I ask them for recommendation letters?

Edited February 24, 2012 by OldDome

[modernity]

You can transfer, its not unprecedented. If you're transferring because you were advertised/promised something that they can no longer deliver, and your choice to go there was made because of that - I would discuss it with the professors at your current university first to make sure that nothing can be done about it. Transferring is more troublesome at the grad school level than the undergrad level in general.

If its because of other reasons, or more than just the funding (ie trust has been broken because of the funding issues) you may wish to just apply elsewhere. Be aware however that grad school is sometimes a small world.... these people know each other from conferences, working together, being colleagues, etc. and it can reflect badly on you to skirt the issue in that way.

If you can talk to them - I would.

[OldDome]

I won't lie I am afraid to bring the issue up.

However, I don't know what I'm supposed to do if I can't find a lab with funding. I do need someone who can pay me because I have to be able to support myself, not to mention if you have to pay for your own PhD program in science...it's not common at all. It'd make your program and advisor look pathetic if they don't even have the funding to pay their grad students.

It is about nothing else other than that. I'm not trying to skirt any issue. I just don't know what will and won't upset people.

[OldDome]

@dif,

Glad I'm not alone in this, although I'm not sure that's the smart way to go about it. Mainly because the people in your program, or at least mine are bound to find out!

It isn't even that I want to leave but if I don't get in anywhere I'll 'stick it out' in the one I'm in now. Staying would be best for me! There's just so much uncertainty about what lab you're going to end up in and if there will be enough for all the grad students admitted.

[sst]

I'm now using a different account on gradcafe because I wanted to be more anonymous. I've deleted my previous posts to this thread.

As I have said, I, too, wish to transfer to another school. Unlike for OldDome, there were no promises of any funding from the very beginning at my current institution. I'm keeping the number of people who know about my plans to transfer to a minimum, so in the case of a rejection, I can stay in my current program, and not too many people will need to know about my plans to transfer in the first place.

I know word can quickly spread, but I'm seriously not too worried about people in my department knowing that I've applied to transfer out. I'm a human being, and I've got to do what makes me happy, and I'll be polite and respectful to the people around me as much as possible while doing so.

For me, I don't think things could get much worse from where I am now, and it's more than just the money. The worst that could happen for me by transferring is that the money won't be any better, but at least I'll be in a place where I know I can be generally happier.

Edited February 28, 2012 by dtss

[coonskee]

I wanted to go about transferring in a kosher way. I asked my current PI if he'll write me a letter just to show that I haven't been a huge fuck-up (I've worked really hard in this lab, it's just this school is not for me - I'm currently doing a MSc here, and was planning to apply to PhD programs after finishing up, but I'm absolutely miserable and wanted to apply to my dream PhD program after one year instead of finishing up this degree).

He said he wouldn't write me a good one (basically he'd be honest about ohw hard I work/how smart I am but would add a sentence saying that he thinks I'm not committed, which is ok) , I said that's ok, I'd appreciate a letter anyway - and then he sent me to the grad director instead of talking with me further about things (basically, to force me into staying).

So I applied to my dream program without his support. I got in. Without his help.

If you want to transfer: APPLY. Don't tell people about it (I didn't tell anyone I was applying, and have only told three people in my lab [of 30 people] that I got in because I know I can trust them), because that may cause issues, unless you know you can trust the people with whom you're working...which you probably can't if you want to transfer.

That was all very poorly phrased, and I know my situation is slightly different because it's MSc --> PhD rather than PhD --> PhD, but still. Here's hoping I can help a little bit.

One thing to note: make sure you can articulate very clearly why you want to transfer. It will have to come up on your SoP. It will come up in interviews. Have a very good, concise, honest, and straight-forward answer to provide to anyone who may ask.

Edited February 28, 2012 by coonskee

[modernity]

If its funding - have you had an open and frank conversation with them? They must know that it would be odd for you to not have funding in your field, and that anyone with sense (ie you) would seriously question it. They should at the very least be able to sympathize with your concerns, and if they can't fix the situation somehow for you - it will be good grounds for you to have the "How would you feel about me transferring then?" conversation.

I'm only suggesting talking to them because if you apply elsewhere, where they know people - in the time you are waiting to hear back from the new place they could meet at a conference, exchange an email, have a chat with your POI and find out that you are applying to another school- depending on how small/acquainted your field/topic is. This could lead to an awkward "So I hear you're applying to University of X?" conversation, or your current advisor has a conversation with your POI at U of X and badmouths you because of you blindsiding them, OR you don't get into U of X (for that or other reasons) and are stuck in your program as a black sheep (and maybe you could have gotten funding after all had you sorted through the issue with them), etc. etc. There are a lot of "what ifs" in a situation like this if you don't confront the problem.

I know not every professor can handle confrontation/conflict/frank conversations, or maybe that sort of thing isn't for you either. You know your situation better than any of us. But if you choose to go about it a different way, by not informing them, be aware/ready for the what ifs in case they happen so you're prepared to deal with them.

[maiker]

It will have to come up on your SoP. It will come up in interviews.

[sst]

I just found this thread. I thought I'd share it... http://chronicle.com/forums/index.php/topic,85804.0.html