Graduate Program Transfer (IO Psychology)

[Saman]

Hi Everyone,

Hope you are doing great with your applications for the fall 2016 !!

If I recall correctly I was in the same boat last year as you, submitting applications and worrying too much about my admission into graduate programs. Anyway, talking about my background, I am an international student, currently a part of IO psychology graduate program at Northern Kentucky University. I have successfully completed one semester and now planning to transfer to some other better university (e.g. Minnesota State University, Mankato) but not sure if I am eligible/allowed to. I have heard a lot about undergrad transfers but not about graduate transfers. So I was wondering if you guys can shed some light on this issue. 

In addition, my profile is similar to last year except that now I possess good GPA in my master's (completed one semester with 3.78 GPA) along with good LOR's from my faculty if I take a transfer. I was wondering if some of you can comment whether the master's GPA will give me an edge over my undergrad profile while securing admission? Earlier I have been denied admission at MSU, Mankato, but I want to try one more time if can get in the program as a transfer student. Given below are my credentials:

Undergrad GPA: 3.88

Master's GPA (one semester): 3.78

One Publication (undergrad capstone)

GRE: V-146, Q-157, AWA-3.0

Based on these credentials, do you think I have a shot to programs (e.g. MSU, Mankato) especially I have been denied admission earlier? Please do let me know your thoughts if possible, any kind of feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[MarineBluePsy]

So you're in a PhD program now and after one semester are pondering transferring into a different PhD program, am I understanding this correctly?  You're probably not hearing much about graduate transfers because they really don't work the same way as undergraduate transfers.  At the graduate level you run the risk of burning bridges (and you may need those people in your network) if you leave before completing the program and if you intend to get LORs from any of these professors that'll be a bit awkward.  The program you transfer into (assuming they accept you after the application process) may not accept any of the credits from your prior school and you'd have to start your program over.

So sure its possible, but it isn't easy and it may or may not be worth it depending on your situation.  It might be easier to finish your Master's in your current program and then transfer after that to complete the PhD, but again you'd have to find out from the school you hope to go to if they will allow that.

[lewin]

There isn't really such thing as a graduate student transfer. There's leaving a program and starting a new one. At the graduate level this usually makes you a worse candidate--because you look indecisive or unreliable--not a better candidate. If you have a completed graduate degree that's another story (as posted above).

[Saman]

Thank you guys for your helpful thoughts, seems like its not a wise decision to transfer so will probably finish my master's here and look for another school for Ph.D.

@MarineBlupsy: FYI, I am pursuing master's not Ph.D. Thank you for your response though

 

[MarineBluePsy]

Well if you're currently in a Master's program it still makes more sense to finish that and then go elsewhere for a PhD.  Yes you can stop that program and start a new Master's program (if you're accepted), but you still run the risk of starting all over, looking unreliable, having a hard time getting LORs, etc.  Once you get your PhD no one will care where you went before, they'll just ask where you did your PhD.  Also keep in mind that when you start applying for PhD programs you have to send transcripts of everywhere you went.  They'll find it odd that you changed Master's programs and you'll have to explain yourself.

[rising_star]

It definitely makes more sense to finish your current master's program for all the reasons given by @MarineBluePsy above. It's also totally okay to earn your master's from one program and your PhD from another. In fact, in some fields, it's pretty common. You'll start applying for PhD programs in the fall of your second year. At that point, you should apply to more than one program, looking seriously at your qualifications, who you want to work with, and where you want to live for 4-6 years while doing your PhD. In your master's program, focus on building strong relationships with faculty members, getting good grades (3.5+ GPA definitely), and gaining research experience. All of those things will help make you more competitive when you apply to PhD programs a year from now. Good luck!

[Saman]

Thank you guys for your helpful comments. I will definitely stick to my program here and will probably apply to doctoral program at another university once I finish my masters. I appreciate your remarks, these are really helpful.

Thanks again