My story is that the research in my department did not match with my background. I worked hard and my GPA is 3.5+, but the research topic was hard to develop. Due to the slow research progress, I was then placed on academic probation, and was given a grace period to push my research. The policy was if my work during grace period satisfies my advisor, then I can continue, otherwise I will be dismissed from the PhD program. Since it was a misfit, I did not want to continue, so I wanted to withdraw, but the department still gave me a letter which said I was dismissed from the PhD program. Then I was approved to switch to the master program, take master coursework and graduate with a master degree. I do not have any misconduct. Now I am applying to another PhD program which could be a good match with my research interest. However, I am facing a question from most universities that I am applying to.
The questions is: "Have you ever been expelled, dismissed, suspended or otherwise subject to disciplinary sanction by ( in some other similar questions, the preposition they use is "at" or "from") any college or university"?
I need to select yes or no. For my case, it is not a disciplinary sanction. I was dismissed from the PhD program only due to misfit in research. I am still staying at the university for my Master's degree and I was not dismissed directly from the university. As an international student, I am not quite sure how to answer this question.
Some people think that the question is asking about misconduct, while my case is not related to misconduct, so I should answer "no".
Other people think that no matter what kind of dismissal, if I answer "no", that might be kind of lying. So I should answer "yes"
I am very hesitant and nervous about this application. Can anyone help me figure out how to answer this in a proper way? Thank you so much!