Making a Grad School Decision - Advice Needed

[Dustinsfl]

I have been accepted to a few graduate schools for a PhD in Math.

I have been accepted to most schools for the fall but one said I could come during the summer with tuition and fees waived and a stipend. Can I attend this university for the summer only and then transfer to the school I want to go to for the fall?

Thanks for your advice.

 

[jtbell]

What do you expect to get out of going to the one school just for the summer, and then transferring to the other school in the fall, versus simply waiting for fall to start at the other school?

Besides a summers' worth of money, that is.

 

[Dustinsfl]

To take Real and Abstract.

 

[twofish-quant]

II have been accepted to most schools for the fall but one said I could come during the summer with tuition and fees waived and a stipend. Can I attend this university for the summer only and then transfer to the school I want to go to for the fall?

You'll have to ask the schools, but my expectation is the answer will be no.

The issue is that when a school accepts you as a graduate student, they are expecting to get some work out of you as a teaching assistant. If you take courses in the fall and take their money, and then in the fall you drop out before they can have you grade papers, then is not a good thing for the school.

On the other hand, if they say "yes, we'll let you do it." Then that's their business.

Also, if you are considering going in their for the summer and then switching without letting them know you are planning this, DON'T. The problem is that academic maths is a very, very small field in which everyone knows everyone else, so if you do something like this, and people end up angry at you, word will spread, and you'll quickly find yourself blacklisted for everything.

 

[rezeew]

Congratulations on being accepted to multiple graduate schools for a PhD in Math! This is a great accomplishment and you should be proud of your achievements. As for your question about attending a university for the summer and then transferring to your preferred school for the fall, there are a few factors to consider before making a decision.

Firstly, it's important to understand the policies and requirements of the university you would like to transfer to. Some schools may have specific guidelines for transferring credits or may not allow transfers at all. It would be wise to reach out to the admissions office or the department you are interested in to get more information about this process.

Secondly, consider the potential impact on your academic progress and research. If you attend the summer program, will you be able to continue your research and coursework at your preferred school in the fall seamlessly? Will you be able to transfer any credits or research work completed during the summer? These are important questions to consider, as transferring schools can sometimes lead to delays or disruptions in your academic journey.

Additionally, think about the financial implications of this decision. While the summer program may offer a stipend and waived tuition, there may be other costs associated with transferring to a different school, such as moving expenses or additional fees. Make sure to weigh these costs against the potential benefits of attending the summer program.

Ultimately, the decision to attend a summer program and then transfer to a different school is a personal one and should be based on your individual goals and priorities. I would recommend thoroughly researching and considering all aspects before making a final decision. Good luck with your graduate studies!