I wanted to solicit some advice about potentially transferring from my current program. I just started my PhD last month, but for a variety of reasons I want to transfer out; that is not to say that I do not like my department, I actually think everyone is great and supportive.
First is departmental fit in relation to research; I am uncertain if any of the faculty in my department can guide me with the type of research I want to do. Second, for personal reasons(both of my parents are having health issues and I want to be close to them). As such I was planning on just applying to the one program that is close to my family(the program also has multiple faculty members who do the type of scholarship I do and is also a program that I was wait-listed at last application cycle).
So I suppose my questions are:
1.) If I decide to try and apply to another institution, who should I ask for letters of recommendation? Given that I have only been here a month, it seems like it would be weird to ask my current professors as it may alienate me if I do not get into the one school I plan on applying to. Should I ask for letters or rec from my terminal MA program?
2.) Should I reach out to the faculty of my target school and try to see if our interests overlap enough to warrant an application?
3.) Should I take a wait and see approach at my current program, to see if my interests shift and/or find other faculty members in cognate fields(Legal philosophy) at my university who can fill the gap?