Re applying for Phd after Masters

[Phygrad]

I am a senior undergrad studying internationally and majoring in electronics. I applied to graduate physics programs in the US. I was able to get into some schools, but not the top ones. I have accepted the offer from University of Minnesota for the PhD along with a Master's.

However, I got a few great positions in the upcoming summer and a couple of papers which seem to be completely deal breaking. I also have a feeling that my undergrad major might have been a problem so getting a master's could be helpful.

I wanted to reapply for grad school with my Master's (along with good GPA). There is a lot of negativity in academia about transfer students. However, I want to make it absolutely clear that I am not talking about transfer student. I want to reapply as a first-year graduate student. And, I am also not bothered by getting recommendation letters from UMN. I can get sufficient letters from other professors.

I contacted a few schools asking about it. They said I can obviously reapply as a first-year graduate student (that's what I want). But many people (on the internet) say that it is something that is highly frowned upon, and this decreases the chances of admission (even with Masters). I want to get some perspective as to what extent is it common, and how much is it frowned upon?

[GeoDUDE!]

I think there is something not so good about intending to enter a PhD program and wanting to leave with a MSc. MScs are often consolation prizes for students who fail qualifying exams. 

 

Another thing is that if you don't get letters from Minnesota you will not get into another PhD program. People will wonder why you don't have letters from them. You should be worried about getting them because they will be able to speak to your ability as a graduate student.

 

If you ended up in as a terminal masters (something I did) its looked well and I think you would be able to find yourself a more competitive applicant. But Minnesota is a good department, and people will wonder why you want to leave, and you'd better have real reasons to do so. 

 

There are plenty of legitimate reasons to leave a program. I think planning to not complete a contract (which you sign) from the get go is a really bad attribute to have. 

[Phygrad]

Thanks @Geodude. Yes, it seems that recommendations would be tricky. UMN does have a terminal Master degree in Physics. But I am a part of masters en route Phd. I was wondering, if I go there and do well in few courses, some prof may agree to give recommendation to me.

[Catria]

Thanks @Geodude. Yes, it seems that recommendations would be tricky. UMN does have a terminal Master degree in Physics. But I am a part of masters en route Phd. I was wondering, if I go there and do well in few courses, some prof may agree to give recommendation to me.

 

Best to wait until postdoc to go somewhere else once you committed to a particular school for a PhD and started one...

 

That is, unless your advisor changes schools, dies, retires, is denied tenure or loses funding. Or you have family reasons.

Edited April 18, 2015 by Catria