Will undergrad transfer hurt choices of Grad School?

In summary, transferring as an undergrad may or may not hurt your chances of getting into a good grad school, depending on the individual circumstances and the specific grad school's policies. It's important to research transfer policies and maintain a strong academic record. Grad schools will consider both your transfer grades and original institution grades, but may place more weight on transfer grades if they are more recent and relevant. Transferring should not significantly affect your ability to receive financial aid for grad school, but it's important to research specific policies. It is possible to transfer to a different major and still get into a grad program in a different field, but you may need to take additional steps to demonstrate your knowledge and skills. Transferring should not greatly affect your ability
  • #1
itsJones610
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I'm currently a returning undergrad studying Physics at Penn State but I'm thinking about transferring to a smaller state school (Kutztown). I still have to take 2 years of my major classes to finish. My reason for transferring is to save money. Will graduating from a smaller/less known school give me similar chances at getting into grad school as graduating from Penn State?
 
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  • #2
The problem is not size or reputation. The question is the quality of the faculty and the range and quality of the courses you can take.
 
  • #3
And the research opportunities that are available.
 

1. Will transferring as an undergrad hurt my chances of getting into a good grad school?

It depends on the individual circumstances and the specific grad school. Some grad schools may view transferring as a sign of academic inconsistency, while others may see it as a positive demonstration of adaptability and perseverance. It's important to research the transfer policies of the grad schools you are interested in and make sure your academic record is strong.

2. How will grad schools view my transfer grades compared to my original institution?

Grad schools will likely take into consideration both your transfer grades and your original institution grades. However, they may place more weight on your transfer grades if they are more recent and relevant to your field of study. It's important to do well in your transfer courses and demonstrate academic improvement.

3. Will transferring as an undergrad affect my ability to get financial aid for grad school?

Transferring as an undergrad should not have a major impact on your ability to receive financial aid for grad school. However, some grad schools may have different financial aid policies for transfer students, so it's important to research this beforehand and plan accordingly.

4. Can I transfer to a different major in my undergrad and still get into a grad program in a different field?

Yes, it is possible to transfer to a different major in your undergrad and still get into a grad program in a different field. However, you may need to take additional courses or demonstrate your knowledge and skills in the new field through relevant experiences and research.

5. Will transferring as an undergrad affect my ability to obtain letters of recommendation for grad school?

Transferring as an undergrad should not significantly affect your ability to obtain letters of recommendation for grad school. As long as you maintain good relationships with your professors and demonstrate academic improvement, you should be able to obtain strong letters of recommendation from both your original institution and your transfer institution.

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