<p>Hi guys,</p>
<p>First time posting on this forum. I am fortunate enough to attend a University that is ranked #1 by pretty much every ranking website in the department/field that I am studying. I have recently been offered a Ph.D. position at this said school. I know people always say that its good to go out there and go to other schools. But what if the school you're already at is #1 in your field?</p>
<p>Background: I wish to stay in academia and become a professor someday and have my own research lab. ALSO, while I have taken advantage of many opportunities at my current school, I have NOT explored these two massive collaborations that exist in the sub-discipline that I have gotten interested in. So, I would effectively be working with NEW faculty that I have never worked with before. These people are at the top of their field and will definitely open doors for me post-graduation. </p>
<p>I also have offers from other schools that are also good (~top 10).</p>
<p>What are you guys' thoughts on this issue?</p>
<p>Thanks much!</p>
<p>From what I’ve heard, staying at the same school for undergrad and PhD isn’t really a big deal, especially if you are working in a different area of research, which according to your post you would be. It’s frowned upon much more to stay at the same school for your PhD and post-doc, because employers (universities) like to see that you’ve diversified your skills and knowledge. So if it’s a great program and you like it there I’d say go for it.</p>
<p>Assuming that your description is accurate, I think it would be a very bad idea to go to a different institution. </p>
<p>Not only is your program #1, but you already know how to work and live in the environment. That will be a significant advantage for you over those students who will need to deal with relocation and reorientation to the school and locale while also dealing with the switch to graduate studies.</p>
<p>Post-PhD, no one will care where you did your undergrad.</p>
<p>Why don’t you ask your faculty advisor/the people who wrote your LORs? The other posters may be right, but there’s a chance that people who know more about your situation will say that your school is #1 in your field, but focuses on a certain method, and it would be good for you to have the perspective offered by school #2, which takes a broader methodological approach. Or something.</p>
<p>It’s possible that they will say that, but it’s actually not that uncommon to do your PhD at the same place that you did your BA. If the university is strong in the field and you happen to get accepted there…that’s usually great. And by your own admission, you are doing research that is somewhat different - but even continuing research you started as an undergrad is not bad. You would probably get publications more quickly that way.</p>
<p>I think that if you spent your entire training career (BA, MA, PhD, and post-doc) at a particular school that might raise a red flag, but happening to get a BA in the #1 department and then doing a PhD there makes sense. Just be prepared to seek out something a bit different when you do your post-doctoral research.</p>
<p>Hi JeffMa87,</p>
<p>I would definitely do the PhD at the same school if it is #1. Honestly, I know plenty of people (in science, engineering, and math) that stay at the same school (e.g. MIT, Stanford, etc).</p>
<p>If its #1, employers will not fault you for not going somewhere else…at the end of the day, you did your formal education at the best school in the country for that field. And like you said, if the people can open doors for you, then let them! </p>
<p>Good Luck!</p>