Transfer after 1 year?

[HolmesiswheretheHartis]

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?

 

[Sigaba]

21 hours ago, HolmesiswheretheHartis said:

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?

 

I recommend that you pursue option number three while concurrently seeing

• if your department will allow you to take a class or two at nearby schools;
• if you can do your outside field in a department/school that will bridge some of the gaps between your department and your primary interests (as in your institution's law school); and
• if you can have a committee member from a neighboring schools.

IRT your parents' health issues, please do what you can to find a sustainable balance among your personal preferences, your personal professional development, and their needs. Do all you can to understand that the balance may shift substantially over time.  If you have siblings, please do what you can to harmonize your preferences with theirs, with the understanding that feelings can shift over time.  If you have friends/relatives/colleagues who have faced similar challenges, try to hear them out even though some of their guidance may be counterintuitive, unsettling, or even painful. 

[Olórin]

You should totally apply to the other school  

Re: letters of recommendation, go with those who know you and your work best. If you make a supportive connection with a faculty member in your current department, ask for their take on what to do. Some of my faculty members have spoken openly about how they switched programs in grad school. I think, as people, they’ll want you to be in the situation that works best for you. 
 

Also, if you stick around your current program, you’ll probably be okay. At a certain point in the program you’ll be allowed (encouraged…required…) to become the driver of your projects. I suspect you’ll find someone there to support you in those pursuits, even if they don’t specialize in the area.