[salukigirl]

So I'm half way through my masters and starting to look at phd programs. I had been talking to my current adviser about who he thinks would be good and yesterday he told me he would "love to have me stay and get a phd with him". I'm not gonna lie - it feels pretty damn good to have professors WANT to work with me. But now begins the road of making a massive 4-year decision.

Pros:
My adviser has had some students that have become very prolific and have made great names for themselves.
I like the area, the university and the people here.
My BF would not have to look for a new job in a new place.
We wouldn't have to save up for a security deposit and F around with moving.
I already know a lot about the system I'm working with and enjoy it.
My adviser and I get along really well and our personalities mesh really well.

Cons:
I could be limiting myself.
I wouldn't be able to work with new people.
I wouldn't be exposed to new parts of the country (or possibly other countries).

I can't really think of anymore but I know I'm missing something. I'm really beginning to get overwhelmed thinking about it and was wanting some "outsiders" opinions. My brother told me that I have had so many opportunities here open up to me and should keep it going and that I'm obviously at a good place and should stay. What do you guys think?

Salukigirl,

There's a lot to be said for not having to move. You know when you move you have to readapt to everything. Re-adjust to your new surroundings. In my opinion, you have a good fit, why try something else? It's like when you're jean shopping. Once you found the pair that fits why keep trying on others? I mean, don't limit yourself. Look into other programs and contact other professors but bear in mind that you have it pretty sweet right now, that's not something I would mess with.

Hope I've been able to help in some small way.

Love and hugs,
Tara

[Fresia]

As far as how it is viewed, I know typically as long as not all three degrees: undergrad, masters, and PhD are not from the same school, it is fine to do two at the same place. If a good program, practical, comfortable, and not a stronger interest to try some place else/another program, then it can be in your interest to stay. It's how much another program or school might interest you more and afford to relocate that might be a stronger pull. There's something to be said for being in a good place. Best wishes with your decision!!

[salukigirl]

Thanks, guys. That was the direction I was going in. I have it pretty damn good here and don't really want to chance it. I am having a meeting with my dept. head next week to talk it over. He has been doing this for 30+ years and has probably seen every scenario and knows how they play out better than I do. Thanks again. It def does alleviate some fears I have.

[Merlin]

I know many people complete both their Masters and PhD at the same institution. You will have more opportunity to travel and work with other people when you work on your post-doc. It is wonderful that you work so well with your adviser.

[salukigirl]

I went and spoke with my dept head today and essentially he asked me to stay also. He told me that if I had gotten my undergrad here he'd tell me to go elsewhere. And he told me if my adviser were the type to not take me to conferences and good about me networking he'd tell me to go elsewhere. He also told me his selfish reasons for him wanting me to stay - because he wants me to be the lead TA for a class that they are expanding.

He also told me that I would be eligible for fellowships (they pay almost double what I make now). He flat out said "I would love to have you stay here. And I don't say that to very many people".

So I'm feelin pretty damn good about myself right now. It's a really awesome feeling when multiple people want to take me on as a PhD student

[salukigirl]

I went and spoke with my dept head today and essentially he asked me to stay also. He told me that if I had gotten my undergrad here he'd tell me to go elsewhere. And he told me if my adviser were the type to not take me to conferences and good about me networking he'd tell me to go elsewhere. He also told me his selfish reasons for him wanting me to stay - because he wants me to be the lead TA for a class that they are expanding.

He also told me that I would be eligible for fellowships (they pay almost double what I make now). He flat out said "I would love to have you stay here. And I don't say that to very many people".

So I'm feelin pretty damn good about myself right now. It's a really awesome feeling when multiple people want to take me on as a PhD student

That's awesome! You deserve to feel like a superstar!

Love and hugs,
Tara

[Fresia]

Wow! What a feeling! So, this wouldn't HAPPEN to influence your decision by chance, would it?! So happy for you!!!

[sunrise]

salukigirl, what field are you in? In some fields, it is looked down upon if you do your PhD in the same place as your undergraduate degree. And that might hamper a person in their job search later for professorships, if they were to stay in Academia. But I have never heard the same said about doing Master's and PhD in the same place. (People in the field I got my PhD in don't do Master's degrees, so this possibility didn't come up.) It is probably very field-specific. How are things viewed in your field? You might want to discuss this with the professor you work for.

You say one downside would be that you wouldn't get to work with new people. If you do stay in place, you could expose yourself to other researchers by participating in the research report meetings, their journal clubs, etc. You could also to a collaboration with another professor's group, and in that way get exposed to another approach and more people. Also, if your field is one in which you need to do postdoctoral research, then you can go somewhere else for that.

If your BF has a good job where you live that he does not want to give up, then that lends more weight to the stay option. This would be especially true if he works in a field that it is hard to find jobs in.