Failing Comps and Reapplying in Different Field

[Supernova43]

Hello Everyone, 

I was in a PhD program in Field A, made As and A minuses in coursework, but failed comp exams in my third year. The program allowed me to graduate with a master's degree. After being out of graduate school for a year, I now (1) think I have a better sense of the types of things I struggled with academically, (2) have determined that I have a greater interest in Field B, and (3) am considering applying for a master's degree in Field B. My advisor has agreed to write a letter that doesn't mention the exams. 

However, one of the programs I'm considering applying to lists among its required application components "Materials related to the applicant’s history regarding dismissal, probation, or suspension from school, or criminal conviction." 

In the interest of being honest, ethical, and having a clear conscience, I'm trying to determine whether this means that I should disclose in my application that I failed comps in a previous PhD program. I can't quite tell whether this implies disciplinary matters or academic ones (or both). If disciplinary, then I have nothing to disclose. 

I'm not actually sure if I have anything academically either in terms of "materials." The only paperwork that I signed (and to my knowledge exists) was related to my department handing me paperwork for "petition for MA degree." I don't actually think that any document exists reflecting my failed comps, nor does it appear on my transcript. (The only relevant item there is a semester-long "Examination Preparation" for which I received an "S" for satisfactory). So since my department's approach, with regard to formally documenting things at least, was essentially "We'll just pretend like the exam didn't happen and award you a master's degree instead," I don't actually know if that means I should disclose the failed exams at all. Not identical,  but in some ways similar to when a person resigns rather than getting formally fired, and then comes out clean on paper. (The difference being, of course, that I didn't choose to voluntarily leave my program before exams). 

Obviously, the person who can answer this best is the admissions person(s) for the specific program, and if there is a way to anonymously ask in a way that won't affect my application I plan to do so. But I would like first impressions of what seems like an ethical approach to this situation from folks on the forums first just to get a variety of opinions about how people might read this situation. 


 

[Bird Vision]

Keep in mind that I have no experience with this; I am purely interpreting the information you wrote here.

Ask your contacts at the school you got your master's at. The only reason it must come up is if you were formally dismissed, which I doubt. It seems to me that the application is looking more for behavioral/conduct issues than poor performance and I do not see it as unethical to not offer that information.

That being said, I believe it is possible to use it to your advantage. You learned a valuable lesson and defined your academic interests.