Going Back to Undergrad Institution for PhD

[RNadine21]

I'm starting to consider going back to school for my PhD, so for now this question is more just to see what people think. I absolutely loved my undergrad institution, but I had the mindset of going somewhere else for grad school for a change in atmosphere, pool of people to work with, etc. when I could've stayed where I was. I now have my MS and no regrets about the institution I moved to - it was the perfect program for me and I don't believe I would've had the chance to find my concentration (which I am beyond in love with) at other programs I applied to.

 

How would it look to go back to my undergrad institution for my PhD? It would obviously depend on the the people that I've researched having space, any financial support, etc. but if I had that opportunity, I'd love to take it!

[juilletmercredi]

It depends on your field and your undergrad institution.

 

In my field, if you went back to your undergrad for your PhD and your undergrad was a top-ranked program in your field, nobody would bat an eyelash.  There are a lot of good reasons to return to Michigan or Princeton for your PhD aside from comfort level and familiarity.  Even if your program is well-reputed but mid-ranked, but there are great people in your subfield or specific area of interest there (e.g. one of the foremost scholars in stereotyping and prejudice is at a middling psychology program).  But if your undergrad's PhD was mediocre at best, many would wonder why you chose to go back there rather than go someplace better.  That's when people start talking about "academic incest" and the diversity of experiences and such.  The real red flag is if you are outside of your subfield - like let's say you study stereotyping and prejudice but there is nobody at your PhD program who does that kind of work.

 

However, I've noticed in some fields (like economics and philosophy) it's very common for people to get all three of their degrees at one institution and still have academic jobs.

 

So basically, if UMiami's program is great and well-reputed in your field, and you'd be well-supported there, go ahead and go back.  If you're just going back because you loved Miami and the university and it may not necessarily be the best place for you academically, though, give pause and consider some other places.

[RNadine21]

The program is actually one of the best and most well-known, so in that sense I'm good. I would be looking at it just as I would other programs since the experience would be different from undergrad. I also left almost four years ago so who knows what has changed since then.

 

Thank you for the input!

[rising_star]

Marine Sciences at UMiami (we're talking the one in Florida, right?) are INCREDIBLY prestigious. You'll be fine if you get in and go there. Also, it helps that you got your master's degree elsewhere.