Applying to only one school -- Bad idea?

[Dedi]

So, I've been doing a research volunteer/internship thing at a university where I want to go to for grad school for the summer. At the time this University was my only choice, but now I have found a few more choices.

Trouble is, I love working here. The grad students and PI are very nice to me, and I really feel like I'm a part of something with the other undergraduates. I'm doing a lot of hands-on work instead of just doing literature searches or something of the sort. I can't imagine going to another grad school. I'm happy here.

So, what do I do? Do I put all my eggs in one basket and try to get into one school, even if it takes a couple tries? (I'm not going anywhere too prestigious and I'll reconsider my options if I don't get in the second time around). Or do I apply to other schools knowing that I probably wouldn't go to them even if I do get accepted?

 

I don't want to go to grad school for the sake of going to grad school. I want to go somewhere where I'm going to love what I do for the next 4-5 years.

 

I don't know. It feels like the norm to apply to 8-10 schools. Is it a bad idea to focus my energy on one school?

[victorydance]

I am really confused at how if you like working at university X, you will then not enjoy working at university Y. That seems completely illogical. 

[Dedi]

I guess it's not that I wouldn't like working at University Y, it's that it's unknown that I would like working at University Y. I am sure that I would like to work at University X. The other schools are a gamble.

Edited June 9, 2014 by Dedi

[Guest Gnome Chomsky]

I applied to one and got in. But it was a master's so those are easier to get into. But on the flip side, I had absolutely nothing to fall back on so the risk was high.

[bsharpe269]

Is this university the same one you went to for undergrad or different?

 

I think that you should try to be more open minded and apply to other schools as well. if you do your research, then you don't really have to take a huge gamble. Before going to any school, you should make sure you click with the grad students and talk to the research groups youre interested in to make sure you will do the work you are interested in.

 

It sounds like you are learning a ton from this university but that doesnt mean that you wont learn even MORE from another one. I would apply to a few at least... after visitation weekends, you may find out that you like one of them even more that the one you are at now.

[Gvh]

Is this university the same one you went to for undergrad or different?

 

I think that you should try to be more open minded and apply to other schools as well. if you do your research, then you don't really have to take a huge gamble. Before going to any school, you should make sure you click with the grad students and talk to the research groups youre interested in to make sure you will do the work you are interested in.

 

It sounds like you are learning a ton from this university but that doesnt mean that you wont learn even MORE from another one. I would apply to a few at least... after visitation weekends, you may find out that you like one of them even more that the one you are at now.

 

 

This. Also, if you are only going to apply to the one, make sure your stats and scores line up with what your department is looking for; in my experience, if your scores aren't up to scratch with the department's average for incoming students, this can cut you out, no matter how much your POI wants you. This clearly depends on the school, how much power your POI has (i.e. if he's on the adcom), etc, but I would cross all your T's and dot your I's before you put all your eggs in a basket. 

 

That said, I don't see why it would hurt to apply to a couple more programs. An extra hundred bucks or so is worth it if it means having options.

[Dedi]

This is a different university than where I'm going for undergrad.

 

Unfortunately, I had to close one of my options down just now because I misunderstood the research interests of a professor. They simply won't overlap with mine, so..

I've got the school I'm working in now, Columbia (which is pretty high reaching in my opinion), and maybe go to a master's program at Edinburgh (though it is expensive for international students and they don't provide much funding) and try again for a PhD at my top choice a year later.

 

And yes, I'll make sure I meet the requirements. The only thing that may make things a little complex is the GRE, which I take in August. I'm sure the GPA requirement (3.7 in the last two years) will be met, with the way my grades are trending now.

 

Thanks for the advice, guys!

[med latte]

Perhaps it you could make a list of the specific things you like about your current school, you can better select a few others that have those same attributes. 

[Vene]

From what you've said here you're more likely than not going to get into this program. However, it is a bit of a gamble and I don't think the cost (money and time) of applying to a couple different universities is too high. You never know what can happen between now and then which can hinder your ability to enter a program. *cough*funding*cough*

[Dedi]

Perhaps it you could make a list of the specific things you like about your current school, you can better select a few others that have those same attributes. 

 

That's a good idea. It will also let me evaluate and reflect what I like about this school in particular.

 

From what you've said here you're more likely than not going to get into this program. However, it is a bit of a gamble and I don't think the cost (money and time) of applying to a couple different universities is too high. You never know what can happen between now and then which can hinder your ability to enter a program. *cough*funding*cough*

 

You're probably right. I haven't stopped my search to find some other good programs (though the ones I've found are all over the world: UK, Sweden, Switzerland, South Africa...).

 

It's no big secret which school that I'm talking about (it's in my signature). Funding is going to be a little tough because I'm technically considered an international student. NSF is out, I can't apply for NIH until my second year into my program, many Canadian government grants are for Canadian citizens only. I've found a few options, however, and I'm going to try my best to receive one of those.

 

I think I will try and find 2-3 more programs that I'm interested in, just as a back up. Thanks for the advice, everyone!