Does anybody know how student loans work if you go to grad school?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the implications of student loans when transitioning from undergraduate to graduate school, particularly in the context of pursuing a PhD in fields like applied mathematics or physical chemistry. Participants also explore the significance of the undergraduate institution's reputation on graduate school admissions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires whether undergraduate loans are deferred while attending graduate school.
  • Another participant asserts that loans will be deferred as long as the student is enrolled in school, including graduate studies, and mentions that graduate programs in the sciences often provide stipends for teaching or research.
  • A participant questions the importance of their undergraduate institution's reputation when applying to top graduate schools, specifically asking if attending a small private university would hinder their chances despite achieving a high GPA.
  • Responses indicate that the ranking of graduate schools may not be as straightforward as it seems, particularly in the context of physics programs.
  • One participant suggests that similar questions about undergraduate institution importance are frequently discussed in another forum, recommending the inquirer to explore past threads for additional insights.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the significance of undergraduate institution reputation, with some suggesting it may not be a barrier to admission in top graduate programs, while others imply that such rankings can be misleading. The discussion on loan deferment appears to have a clearer consensus.

Contextual Notes

There is an assumption that graduate school funding may vary by institution and program, and the discussion does not resolve the complexities surrounding the impact of undergraduate institution reputation on graduate admissions.

Who May Find This Useful

Students considering graduate school in STEM fields, particularly those concerned about financing their education and the implications of their undergraduate institution on future opportunities.

judowrestler1
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I just finished my first year as a math/chem. major and have been toying with the idea of going to grad school right after undergrad to go for a PHD.(Not sure if I want to do applied math or physical chem, yet). My question is though if you go to grad school, will your undergraduate loans be put on hold until you graduate from grad school, or are you responsible for those during that time?
 
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Your loans will be deferred as long as you're in school, and that includes graduate school. Keep in mind grad schools will pay YOU to attend in the sciences (in return for teaching and/or doing research for them). It doesn't pay a lot, but usually enough to live on without taking out (much) more in loans.
 
Thanks, how important is your undergrad school when trying to go to grad school?I'm going to a small private university because, I like that atmosphere better than state schools. So, will that bar me from going to a top 20 grad school?(Providing a 4.0 or close GPA?)
 
judowrestler1 said:
Thanks, how important is your undergrad school when trying to go to grad school?I'm going to a small private university because, I like that atmosphere better than state schools. So, will that bar me from going to a top 20 grad school?(Providing a 4.0 or close GPA?)

No but you'll end up finding out that "top #" doesn't make much sense in regards to physics graduate schools.
 
judowrestler1 said:
Thanks, how important is your undergrad school when trying to go to grad school?I'm going to a small private university because, I like that atmosphere better than state schools. So, will that bar me from going to a top 20 grad school?(Providing a 4.0 or close GPA?)

This sort of question gets asked at least twice a month next door in the "Academic Guidance" forum. :smile: You might try browsing through a few months' worth of old threads there.
 

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