<p>So I am having a bit of dilemma concerning my undergraduate years and how they will affect my chances of getting into a top grad school for chemistry.</p>
<p>I am currently enrolled in a typical state school that I am not particularly happy at and am thinking about transferring out of. My real goal in the long run is to end up in a top graduate program for chemistry, and so I've been considering trying for a spot at a more prestigious school for the remainder of my undergraduate years. I have maintained a 3.9 GPA with a fairly demanding course load and a few extracurriculars as well, so I am fairly certain that I could get into a better school, should I choose to.</p>
<p>The trouble is, I have been given some great opportunities at my current school that I am worried about giving up by going to a new, more prestigious school. I guess you could say I have ended up as somewhat of a "big fish in a small pond." I am currently one of only 4 students here doing undergraduate research in computational chemistry, and am on the right track to publish before I graduate. I also have made great relationships with a number of professors who I could definitely see writing me strong letters of recommendation in the future.</p>
<p>I am certain I would be happier socially and intellectually at a "better" school, but I worry that I would be giving up valuable opportunities by leaving my current school, especially with grad school in mind.</p>
<p>Any advice would be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>Thank You.</p>
<p>A more prestigious school will also have plenty of opportunities for undergraduate research. You can still count on your current professors for recommendation letters, even if you transfer.</p>
<p>I'd say stick with your current school. You said it best: you're a big fish in a small pond. If you transfer to another school that is more competitive, you may fall in the shadows and stand out less. However if you're willing to take that risk, then you should go for it, but it may be in your best interests to stay.</p>
<p>One additional note. Many top graduate programs may accept less of their own undergraduate students unless they've excelled above and beyond their peers. So just by transferring to a more prestigious school, doesn't mean it will make you a better applicant for graduate school. Right now it seems like you're one of the top students in your department. So you're already standing out. I don't see why you would have a difficult time getting into the graduate school of your choice as long as you continue this path.</p>
<p>Thank you very much for the helpful feedback.</p>
<p>I guess you could say I know that I'm standing out at my school, I'm just worried the school itself, and its lack of a strong reputation, will hurt me no matter how well I do. I also feel like I'm not working to my full potential, because the 3.9 I've maintained has been a cake walk so far. In general, my school isn't the most academically rigorous there is, although I am trying to make the best of it and push myself as much as I can with research and higher level courses.</p>
<p>Still, I can't help but feel like I've been given a sort of blessing in disguise, because despite the fact that my school is not exactly tier one, I've been able to excel academically and have been given a lot of unique opportunities I'm worried I wouldn't get at a better school.</p>
<p>Take it from me a bit. I came from a small LAC (top 20) where I am the big fish in my department. I got more personal attention from professors who were able to write excellent LORs... When you're a big fish, you're your own competition. :) And I got into a top 10 grad school... beyond my dreams when I was a freshman! :) Relax, stay where you are where there are already opportunities for you.</p>
<p>@ticklemepink</p>
<p>I appreciate the encouragement a lot, so thank you, but I am not in a top 20 Liberal Arts College. I'm attending a fairly middle of the road state school, and while it's not the worst college, it's not in the top 20 either.</p>
<p>I was in a similar situation like yours and I decided to transfer. I felt that I would be much happier for my final three years of undergrad. Looking back, I'm pretty sure I made the right decision. However, I must admit that research was a little harder to find because everyone else wanted to do it as well.</p>
<p>If you don't mind, what school are you at now and where do you plan on going? Maybe that'll give us some more insight into your situation.</p>