Decline and Reapply

[zackconnor]

I am currently a first year Ph.D. student. I received two offers last year, both of which were really good (at least at that time). I ended up declining one but said yes to the current one. Now it seems that I am wrong, mainly because the environment of the group as well as what I am really interested.

I just wondering what is the chance that I reapply the other school and still getting in.

[pinoysoc]

In terms of reapplying, I don't think you'll have an advantage for the upcoming application cycle. Yes, they'll ask you if applied before, but the big question is, "What have you changed since then? And why are all of a sudden switching?" It may or may not hurt your chances, but I'm not really sure.

As for your current program, have you tried being more proactive in making things work? I've never heard of case where first year PhD students transfer to another school due the environment changing at their current institution.  Admissions are often based on your "fit" to the department. Could  your offer more insight as to why this is the case?

 

[TakeruK]

Check the policies at the other school and/or talk to whomever you were in contact with over there. I know there are some programs in my field that actually keep your admission valid for 1 year, even if you declined them and even if you chose to go somewhere else. As long as you contact them within the first year and say that you want to attend in the following cycle, you will have a spot. The funding package may be different though.

Also, I think if you have a good reason to want to switch, being accepted in one year means you are likely to be accepted again, however, maybe not at the same place. So if you are truly unhappy where you are and would rather be anywhere else (including not in grad school) then it makes sense to apply again for Fall 2019. But apply to several places, since nothing is for sure.

[zackconnor]

8 hours ago, pinoysoc said:

In terms of reapplying, I don't think you'll have an advantage for the upcoming application cycle. Yes, they'll ask you if applied before, but the big question is, "What have you changed since then? And why are all of a sudden switching?" It may or may not hurt your chances, but I'm not really sure.

As for your current program, have you tried being more proactive in making things work? I've never heard of case where first year PhD students transfer to another school due the environment changing at their current institution.  Admissions are often based on your "fit" to the department. Could  your offer more insight as to why this is the case?

 

I think you might misread it or I might not say it clearly... I did get admitted in the last cycle but I ended up declined on it. That is why I am concerned my situation.

[zackconnor]

6 hours ago, TakeruK said:

Check the policies at the other school and/or talk to whomever you were in contact with over there. I know there are some programs in my field that actually keep your admission valid for 1 year, even if you declined them and even if you chose to go somewhere else. As long as you contact them within the first year and say that you want to attend in the following cycle, you will have a spot. The funding package may be different though.

Also, I think if you have a good reason to want to switch, being accepted in one year means you are likely to be accepted again, however, maybe not at the same place. So if you are truly unhappy where you are and would rather be anywhere else (including not in grad school) then it makes sense to apply again for Fall 2019. But apply to several places, since nothing is for sure.

I have contacted with them and they actually have everything still... but they just asked me to resubmit one due to the policy (I guess they wanna me repay the fee lol).