[A tough question: Applying for a PhD while already pursuing one...]

I think the answer is that yes, when he contacts any professors with the intention to start a PhD program, he should tell them the full story. They will find out anyways when he applies, because schools generally ask for a list of all schools you've attended and transcripts from such schools. If he does not tell the professors when first contacting them, and then they see this information on his application, it will look suspicious and dishonest. Also, as you said, he has published papers, so it will be not very hard at all for them to find out that he is at his current graduate program.

 

The reality is that even though it is not your friend's fault that the current program is not providing the resources and support he needs, it is much harder to get into a PhD program when you are already in a PhD program. It is risky to take on a student who is willing to leave a program, because what if they also leave your program? However, this is why I think it's really important for him to tell the full story when he contacts US professors, and tell the story right away, because that is the only way he will get the professors to sympathize with him and be willing to give him a second chance at a PhD.

 

Also, if he wants a PhD in the US, then he must not complete his PhD in his current school. Even fewer schools will allow someone with a PhD to complete another PhD. However, if he is already many years into his PhD, perhaps the best path forward is to complete the PhD doing simulations and then gain a postdoc or other research position somewhere else to do other work. 

 

Finally, to answer your last question, yes he must provide the whole story in his application. Omitting the fact that he is currently in a PhD program in the application would be considered academic dishonesty and it will get him rejected and possibly result in worse consequences. Don't lie/omit required information on applications, ever!

what about changing it to masters and apply? I have similar program as I will change my PhD to masters and as I'm done with courses I will apply for next fall at different university.

[SOP .. Confused and need help (review) (Material science, nanotechnology)]

Hey Guys- I'm so confused and not confident about my SOP. Please message me to send you my sop.