<p>Ok, so without going into specifics, I am at a top 25 major state research university. However, frankly I find it to be a very unintellectual environment, not challenging, pretty shallow classes, and not enabling me to strive to reach my full potential. I am fairly confident that based on my conversations with upperclassman, it will stay this way... even for high-level classes.
So I am considering transferring, hopefully to an Ivy-level institution, where I feel that I would be more inspired and be able to become more driven by my fellow classmates and courses.
There are two things that are great about my current situation, however, which make me wonder whether I should give it up. One is that I am fairly confident I will have a gpa of at least a 3.9, if not higher, by the end of the term. The other thing is I got an amazing opportunity to work with a world-class professor, one of, if not the most reputable in his field, with just him and a postdoc, and I am publishing with him next term in a big-name journal. He is very impressed by my work and keeps telling me that he really hopes I will continue to be his research assistant next year.
Since I know graduate school is so based on research and gpa, and not as much on reputation, should I stay here? Would it be a mistake to give up such a huge opportunity and big mentorship? Should I factor in school-reputation when making my decision?
I'm curious to hear thoughts on this matter. Thanks!</p>
<p>I’m only in community college, so my opinion means nothing, but I will give it to you anyway 
First off, if you are able to work with a world-class professor, I think that kind of makes up for the fact that your classes aren’t so challenging. Maybe they are just easy because you are really smart, and that’s why you are so highly valued by this professor. Even if you are super smart though, it’s still very difficult to transfer into an Ivy, so that might not even by an option. Why not just apply to them, and wait to see if you get in to make the decision? Maybe you won’t even get in, but you will at least feel good that you tried, and it will validate that you are in the right place. If you get into Harvard or something, then that will probably be an easy decision. Either way, I think you should just try. That way you leave your options open, and feel good about whatever happens. If you don’t apply, you might always regret not trying. Good luck with your decision!</p>
<p>Top 25 state uni is good enough for any grad school. Going to an Ivy will not help for grad school because you already go to a school that is good enough. Now it is just what you do while you are there. The research and the Letter of recommendation are top reasons you get accepted to quality grad schools. Having a letter from a name known professor in a field is gold. You can’t top that for importance in successful grad school acceptance. Having pubs as an undergrad is pretty rare, and that is a big plus for PhD acceptance.</p>
<p>I find it very hard to believe that you won’t have challenges in your upper division work. You should find out if you can take a few grad school classes, some colleges allow it. If not and you really feel you are going to be limited, then go for the transfer. Hopefully you will get hooked up with a research relationship. But inspiration comes from within.</p>