Hi there,
I am currently a second year student in a Sociology PhD program, and I am thinking of applying to other programs this fall. I know switching programs isn't easy, and it can be tricky getting the recommendations you need from professors without offending them or tipping off the entire department that you're thinking of leaving. Hence, I could really use some advice from you wise, friendly folks on how to navigate this process!
Briefly, my reasons for leaving: The department and the program are not what I expected or hoped for. On the plus side, there are several really great, supportive faculty members who I work with or have taken classes with, and I love my fellow grad students. However, I've had some really negative experiences with a few tenured faculty and am shocked and dissatisfied with how students are treated in general. Worse still, the powers that be in the department are pushing the program and students in a direction that just doesn't fit with what I want in a program. Also, importantly, my interests are moving in a direction that's not represented in my department.
Has anyone out there on the GC forum successfully switched PhD programs, or have any insights into how to do this tactfully? If anyone has advice on how I should approach professors with the news that I'm applying elsewhere and for recommendation letters, I would so appreciate it!
Thanks!
Soc-brioche