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Transferring doctorate programs
- Thread starter Kate0285
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What exactly don't you like about your current program?
I'm not certain I've ever heard of a "transfer" happening, though I know a number of people who decide to leave the program after getting their master's and re-apply elsewhere for the PhD, with varying success.
I think the above is likely the better option if you are set on leaving. Given the nature of the PhD, chances are you would be starting over if you left before getting a degree....especially at the "better" programs. Its possible they might waive a couple courses, but its probably unlikely to shave that time off your degree.
I think the above is likely the better option if you are set on leaving. Given the nature of the PhD, chances are you would be starting over if you left before getting a degree....especially at the "better" programs. Its possible they might waive a couple courses, but its probably unlikely to shave that time off your degree.
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As Ollie123 said, if you want to leave the program at your current university and join another program at another university...then its NOT "transferring." It's "leaving your program and applying to others." Not common, but it happens...
C
ClinicalPHD5
People i know who left their programs had to basically start over. It still took them the same amount of time to graduate in the end even though they may have been able to waive some coursework.
It depends on what you don't like about your program. All programs have issues and are more similar than different. If it's an issue with your mentor, I would look into trying to change mentors within the program. Several people have done that in my program. Of course, that takes a bit of a juggling act with funding but it's probably more workable than transferring programs.
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OP,
I PM'ed you.
I PM'ed you.
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I have thought about doing this myself. PM me if you want details. To echo erg and Ollie, there really is no transfer system. The only time you vcan really transfer is if your advisor leaves. And even then you can't always. You need to apply just like you did to get into your program. IMHO, if you're reapplying because your current program isn't "good enough," the schools you're applying to aren't going to see that as a positive. It's going to be hard to frame that in a way that's going to make you a good applicant. Again, this is only my opinion.
Good luck. I definitely felt like leaving and transferring a number of times.
Good luck. I definitely felt like leaving and transferring a number of times.
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Very true. It sounds like you're upset that you feel you could've gotten into a "better"/more prestigious program than you did? Keep in mind that while there certainly are powerhouse programs in various different research and clinical areas, when it comes to doctoral programs, much more of the onus of your success is placed on you vs. your program. Assuming the program you're currently attending at least has the resources to meet your needs (e.g., funding, access to mentors and populations of interest), I say stick it out, work hard, and make a name for yourself rather than worrying about the perceived prestige of your program.
Every instance of changing schools that I've heard of entailed a mentor leaving (and even then most students simply transfer to a different professor in the same program), a family/medical situation, or a student being asked to leave after obtaining their master's and then later applying to a different institution.
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I think "it depends" is the best answer. It will depend on:
1. what type of program you are in (PhD, PsyD, research-heavy, practice-heavy, etc.)
2. the type of program you want to enter
3. your reasons for switching schools
4. the crap-shoot of applying to clinical psych doctoral programs
If money is the issue, you may consider taking a semester or two off if you believe that your program can find funding after the upcoming year. And remember, if your school is experiencing these difficulties other similar programs may be as well.
From a personal view, it may appear a little unflattering to a new program knowing that an applicant fled another program, even if it was a funding issue. I believe in research-heavy programs this would be frowned upon.
1. what type of program you are in (PhD, PsyD, research-heavy, practice-heavy, etc.)
2. the type of program you want to enter
3. your reasons for switching schools
4. the crap-shoot of applying to clinical psych doctoral programs
If money is the issue, you may consider taking a semester or two off if you believe that your program can find funding after the upcoming year. And remember, if your school is experiencing these difficulties other similar programs may be as well.
From a personal view, it may appear a little unflattering to a new program knowing that an applicant fled another program, even if it was a funding issue. I believe in research-heavy programs this would be frowned upon.
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This stinks 🙁 How frustrating. If I were in your situation, I'd be desperately trying to get funding from other departments. Since you had a fellowship last year, you're probably very competitive for assistantships. Voice tour concerns to your program director. Tell him/her that you need the money and might have to leave or take a tear odd without it. In the meantime, keep assistantahip hunting! Good luck!
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I had scores similar to yours (1370 General GRE with a 780 on the subject GRE). I had a 4.0 for two and a half years of my undergraduate career. The years before the 4.0s were spotty--What can I say, I loved touring with the Grateful Dead before Jerry Garcia died... I did not major or minor in psychology as an undergraduate and took prerequisite courses before applying to clinical psychology Ph.D. programs the first time (I applied to two programs and was accepted at one program). I was in my previous clinical psychology Ph.D. program for around a year when I went through the application process a second time. I applied to six programs for Fall 2011 admission. I interviewed at four programs. I was wait-listed at two programs and accepted at a third program. I was able to transfer only three courses from my previous program to the new Ph.D. program where I accepted admission. I'm married with children and we own a house, so that severely limited the programs to which I could apply; thus, I think that I would have had more offers if I could have applied to schools in other areas of the country. I was accepted at a program that is much better than my previous program reputation-wise.
I hope that helps you gauge your chances of admission at another program. 🙂
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It definitely can. You have to be very careful as to how you describe why you left and be able to show your commitment to future programs. A student applied to my program (research heavy) this year after leaving another reputable program. Faculty were split on what to do, but they ultimately decided against admission. The student was fantastic and sounds like she just had a really bad fit at the former school, but the faculty ultimately decided they didn't trust that she was committed and able to stay as a grad student.
I thought she was great and handled the situation with grace and tact but the faculty couldn't get past the dropping out.
