How taboo is doing undergrad and grad school at the same place?

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SUMMARY

Attending both undergraduate and graduate school at the same institution is not considered taboo, with many students opting for this path. However, it is generally recommended to pursue graduate studies at a different university to gain diverse experiences and connections. The discussion emphasizes that selecting graduate schools involves a distinct process compared to undergraduate institutions, and students may change their research focus multiple times during their academic journey. Ultimately, unless there are compelling reasons, such as a top-tier program or a specific mentor, students should consider moving to a different school for graduate studies.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the academic structure of undergraduate and graduate programs.
  • Familiarity with the process of selecting graduate schools.
  • Knowledge of research fields, particularly in astrophysics.
  • Awareness of networking importance in academia.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the differences between undergraduate and graduate school selection processes.
  • Explore networking strategies for graduate school applications.
  • Investigate top graduate programs in astrophysics.
  • Learn about the importance of diverse academic experiences in graduate education.
USEFUL FOR

Undergraduate students considering graduate school, academic advisors, and anyone interested in the dynamics of academic progression in research fields.

Frzn
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Just wondering if it people would ever go so far as NOT doing undergraduate at a school doing research they're interested in because they would want to attend grad school there
 
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It doesn't really matter that much, but in general it is better to see how things are done in other places and get some connections. I don't consider it taboo at all, there are plenty of people that do both degrees in the same institution. It is strongly encouraged to go to a different place for grad school though.
 
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I've heard people say they did that, but frankly I changed my specific research field about 5 times between the beginning of undergrad and the end of grad school, so it doesn't really make sense to do that (and those 5 fields were all still in astrophysics, but not really related). Unless there's a very good reason for you to stay (it's a very top school in the field or you want to work with someone very specific) it's best to move on. Schools will encourage you to go elsewhere.
 
Frzn said:
Just wondering if it people would ever go so far as NOT doing undergraduate at a school doing research they're interested in because they would want to attend grad school there

If you are an undergraduate then the odds are that you probably aren't familiar enough with the people in the fields involved to really know what graduate school you want to go to. You may think you do, but you probably really don't.

Selecting graduate schools is a totally different process from selecting undergraduate schools.
 

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