buyer's remorse?

[aofthe1000days]

Six weeks in to my Ph.D. program at a highly-ranked competitive private university and I'm wishing I'd chosen the state school.

When I made my decision to go to my current program, it was largely due to the pressure of time constraints and money (e.g. waiting to hear whether or not I'd get the NSF and thereby equalize my three choices financially). As much as I loved the people and community at the state school, I simply could not afford to move and subsequently live off what they offered. Now that I've had a chance to save up from my summer job + large stipend from private university, I desperately want to transfer programs next year. There's nothing particularly *wrong* with anything at my current university, but I always find myself thinking of how great things were at the other school.

I'm fairly certain that this isn't simply buyer's remorse as I have no desire to transfer into any of the other programs into which I was admitted. Has anyone else been in this position? What did you do?

During my graduation, one of the faculty from my current dept. (I was an undergrad where I'm now a grad) talked about how important it is to do what makes you happy. Is transferring in grad school really a good option? I know people who have transferred into the program at my school, but I know of no one who's transferred out. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[kahlan_amnell]

Don't make any decisions about transferring yet, it is still early. Also, transferring will probably cause you to loose some of your credits, and might not look good in the future if you didn't have a good reason.

[frankdux]

I'd suggest at least sticking around for the masters, and then transfer. And if you did that then perhaps you can enter directly into the PhD portion of that program you wish to transfer to without losing credits.

[liszt85]

I have similar feelings sometimes. I chose the state school (top 30 or so rank in the field) over the more reputed private school (top ten ranked in the field) for many reasons which included money matters as well since I'm here with a dependent who is not allowed to work on her visa status.. but I always try to look at the positive sides that are on offer here. For instance, I got in touch with a professor in an unrelated dept who does research that I love (and something that I want to get into through a post doc which is possible with a PhD background in this dept that I have chosen). He signed and gifted me his very popular book and suggested that we find something to do together a little while later and advised me to keep my adviser happy. My own work under my adviser is not so bad either.. its very interesting work on language (I had given up the Linguistics Dept at the more reputed private school to do Psychology here at the state school) and so I do linguistics mostly which is what I wanted to do anyway. I'm sure the private school would have offered other stuff that I'd have been equally happy with. So I do think its a phenomenon of "the grass is greener on the other side". So don't make any hasty decisions as yet. Play it out.. wait and see what you get to work on.

[rising_star]

Here's the thing: The first year is going to be tough regardless of where you are. Trust me on this. It's the hardest year, you're transitioning to graduate school, and it feels lonely because you have to meet people. Also, you have to get away from thinking that the grass will be greener on the other side. It may not be, and for all you know, it could be even more unpleasant. So, stick it out at least until you get a master's then you can re-evaluate your options.

I find it helps to do non-school-related things, like taking up an activity or going to a show. Helps get your mind off of the stress and annoyances that accompany graduate school.

[aofthe1000days]

Thanks for the responses everyone.

I suppose what I'm really looking for is someone who has actually transferred (whether after receiving a master's or not). I know several people who have transferred *in* to my program, but I don't really feel comfortable discussing the nitty-gritty details of it with them for obvious reasons. I've had a hard time finding much information about this online either, but I'll keep googling.

As it stands now, I'm doing very well in my current program, but I'm just not happy. I suppose in the long-run that's a minor issue. (Hopefully) I'll be able to choose where to do a post-doc or get a job based on my liking of the community rather than how much money they're throwing at me. :/

Thanks again!

Anne

[rising_star]

I think it's a matter of how you phrase(d) the question. If you're asking for people that did their MA at one institution and are doing or did their PhD at another, there are numerous people on this board in that situation. I'm one of them.

[Stories]

Following up what rising_star said, I did my MPH at one school and am following up the MPH with my PhD at another. Getting classes transferred over was a bitch, so I'd recommend you not take that route if you can help it. It's no fun spending several years of your life for no reason to have it all thrown away.