I attend the University of Nevada and I am hoping to one day go to a good graduate school to earn a Ph. D.D in zoology. I love unr and think it has a wonderful conservation and wildlife biology program with small classes and research opportunities. But I want to go to a good graduate school and be successful. Should I try and transfer to university of Wisconsin or a more prestigious school to up my chances? Or should I get excellent grades at unr and take advantage of the small classes and intimate setting but have less prestige?
My general view is if you are happy and doing well academically that there is no reason to transfer. If you feel the department at UNevada offers what you need and has great opportunities to do research and get to know professors well then I just don’t know if “prestige” alone is worth upsetting things when they are going well. I transferred myself (it was a good move for me as the first school did not meet my academic needs) and it takes a lot of energy and a bit of luck for it to work out well – classmates are settled with friends and housing, you may not get credit for all of your classes, professors probably have people lined up to help with research etc.
your professors all have PhDs and know how the game is played as far as getting into grad school. Talk to some of them, they can give you accurate advice. For that matter, if you aren’t getting to know one or more well thru taking part in research then you’re doing it wrong. Grad schools are going to want strong and personalized recs, and also any good program is going to expect that you have already been involved in research.
“I love unr and think it has a wonderful conservation and wildlife biology program with small classes and research opportunities.”
That’s your answer. As mikemac says, take advantage of your faculty to help you navigate the route into a reputable grad school. It’s not about ‘prestige’ as much as taking advantage of all the opportunities that come your way.
- 'I love unr and think it has a wonderful conservation and wildlife biology program with small classes and research opportunities.*
As N’s Mom wisely indicated, you’ve answered your own question. If you excel at UNR and have unconstrained passion for your field, selection for superior postgraduate programs will take care of itself. Please, just do your job extremely well. Incidentally, you’re blessed to find a career you love . . . many do not, and it means a GREAT deal more than money or so-called prestige.
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Should I try and transfer to university of Wisconsin or
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What are your parents saying? Will they pay the high OOS costs of Wisconsin or another school ? If not, then the question is moot. You’d need them to pay for it. But if they will pay then go ahead and apply.