Getting your Grad degree at same University as your Undergrad

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the reasons why many graduate students do not pursue their graduate degrees at the same university where they completed their undergraduate studies. It touches on themes of educational diversity, faculty experiences, and institutional preferences.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants observe that faculty members often do not complete both their undergraduate and graduate studies at the same institution, prompting questions about the reasons behind this trend.
  • One viewpoint suggests that attending a different university for graduate studies allows students to learn from a new environment and broaden their educational experience.
  • Another participant notes that students are generally encouraged to pursue degrees in different departments or institutions to gain diverse perspectives, skills, and connections.
  • A later reply challenges the idea that graduate courses are simply an extension of undergraduate courses, emphasizing that the overall educational experience encompasses more than just coursework.
  • One participant claims that universities may prefer not to admit their own undergraduates into graduate programs, suggesting a trend towards seeking diversity in educational backgrounds.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the value of pursuing graduate studies at the same institution as undergraduate studies. While some argue for the benefits of attending different universities, others raise questions about the implications of this practice. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing perspectives.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the nature of graduate education and institutional policies are not fully explored, leaving room for further discussion on the motivations behind these trends.

MathGangsta
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I'll look at faculty bio's and notice that not many have done their Grad work at the same University as their Undergrad. Why is this?
 
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Because once you've learned what one school has to teach you, it's good to go to another one and learn what they have to teach you.
 
Students are usually discouraged from doing both degrees in the same department. You're supposed to branch out, learn new ways of doing things, work with different people, explore new fields, and make new connections. Unless you're doing both degrees at a very top school in your field, it's usually frowned upon to stay at the same school.
 
Vanadium 50 said:
Because once you've learned what one school has to teach you, it's good to go to another one and learn what they have to teach you.

So you are saying that grad school classes at any university are the same as the undergrad courses?
 
No, but I am saying that courses are but a small part of your education.
 
MathGangsta said:
I'll look at faculty bio's and notice that not many have done their Grad work at the same University as their Undergrad. Why is this?

Because universities don't like admitting their own undergraduates, and it's a very good idea to go to grad school at a very different type of university than you did your undergraduate in.
 

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