Applying to a program where you went for undergrad

[schr]

Does this help or hurt you? Or does it just depend wildly on what program and the circumstances? What is the commonly held wisdom about this?

[pikatopia]

I think it really depends wildly on what institution, what program, other circumstances...

I don't have any personal experience myself, but have Friend A - graduated top of his class from UnivA, departmental honors but was waitlisted for the MA program simply because the department was trying to avoid 'inbreeding' (I think that's what he said)...and they encouraged him to branch out for his MA elsewhere, but return to UnivA for his PhD.

Friend B - graduated not top of his class, but was involved in a big important research undertaking at UnivB and was encouraged to apply there for his MA...got accepted both there & a few other places and to my knowledge is still making his decision.

These are two situations in the same field...just two different people at two different universities.

You may want to touch base with professors in your department to see how they feel about it - ask them to be honest!

[Comfect]

It depends on the school. I know for Harvard the English department frowns on accepting their own students generally speaking, and the History department will admit at most one of their own students a year. But I also know of places that favor their own students (at least if they were GOOD students). So it depends on your specific situation.

[IRdreams]

It also depends on the year. Rumor is Chicago was less willing to accept their own students this year in Political Science, while in past years they have been rather generous with their alums.