Is it a good idea to stay at your undergraduate institution for PhD?
Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2021 2:23 am
Hi! I recently got two offers at about the same level. One is my home undergrad institution and the other one is a closely ranked school. They are equally good schools in terms of reputation and research on the field I'm interested in. At the same time, I really enjoyed the atmosphere of the math department of my home school and I know the professors very well. In fact if I stay at my home uni, I know who I will be working with and he is also willing to advise me. Also, the location of my home school is very pleasant (I'm the big-city type of person). I just don't think anything will go wrong if I choose to stay.
However, what I'ver heard, and actually what that professor at my school told me, is one should probably move to other places for PhD. He said staying at home uni will do harm to my resume-building. And I talked with several PhD students, they all suggest me to move so that I could have a "broader view" of mathematics, or at least seem to have.
So I am just a bit hesitant, should I move to a place that I am completely unfamiliar with or should I stay at the place where I know I will love? I guess I've been losing sight of long-term career development as I am so content with my present life. But it's still hard to give up everything.. Any advice on this? Thanks!
However, what I'ver heard, and actually what that professor at my school told me, is one should probably move to other places for PhD. He said staying at home uni will do harm to my resume-building. And I talked with several PhD students, they all suggest me to move so that I could have a "broader view" of mathematics, or at least seem to have.
So I am just a bit hesitant, should I move to a place that I am completely unfamiliar with or should I stay at the place where I know I will love? I guess I've been losing sight of long-term career development as I am so content with my present life. But it's still hard to give up everything.. Any advice on this? Thanks!