El_Barto

Hello All: So I've been accepted to two PhD programs. One is giving me a good fellowship package (and the department has a master's program that I was told I could easily switch to) and the other has me "waitlisted for full funding" (and does not offer an MA). Since I didn't get into a lot of the schools I really wanted to, I decided to get a master's at one of these schools (or equivalent experience) and then hopefully transfer and get the PhD somewhere else. So I have two questions: 1) Would it put me at a disadvantage to switch to a master's program? Since PhD programs are harder to get into, and I got a pretty good fellowship, would I look less attractive just applying to a PhD having a master's than if I were transferring FROM a PhD program having gotten an en-route master's or whatever? Also, the third option would be to transfer from a PhD program that doesn't have an en-route master's...is that even worse? I've sent e-mails about this to the programs I'd like to apply to, but they haven't gotten back to me yet. 2)Is it common practice to transfer out of a PhD program if you've got an institutional fellowship? Are there any consequences? I'm planning on asking the actual school about this, but I'm too paranoid to talk to them about it yet and thought I'd just get some perspective. Sorry for being long-winded. Thanks!