El_Barto Posted April 10, 2008 Posted April 10, 2008 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!
rising_star Posted April 10, 2008 Posted April 10, 2008 I think it's better to have a Masters than to transfer from one PhD program to another one. I say go with the fellowship, get the master's, and if you want to leave then leave with just the master's. you could go and discover that this school is the perfect program for you. at any rate, having a fellowship on your CV will give it a boost. I dunno about the institutional fellowship and transferring. I think the point is that you'll stay and I'd imagine that leaving without earning the PhD there isn't common. That said, a department I applied to for my MA admitted me into their PhD program because it was the only way they could fund me. Then they said that I could leave after getting my master's. But that was department funding (with a special one-time university fellowship), not an institutional fellowship.
studentfromLA Posted April 10, 2008 Posted April 10, 2008 I've had friends who had an incredibly difficult time trying to transfer from one Ph.D. program to another -- remember, the professors you are going to have to rely on for recommendations are the same people you are rejecting for a different (better) program, and oftentimes, they do not like it one bit. Since the school with the master's program has already told you it would be easy to switch to it from the Ph.D. program, I think that would be your best bet if you think you are going to want to go elsewhere for a Ph.D. Better to go into a program with them having an idea you are only going to take a master's degree, than to go into a Ph.D.-only program, stop after the master's, and expect those professors to support you in an application to go elsewhere.
luvalicious Posted April 11, 2008 Posted April 11, 2008 It would probably be easier - and look better - to apply to a PhD with a stand-alone Master's than one earned in the course of PhD study. But, and you may already be aware of this, some PhD programs will not allow you to transfer graduate school credits or even your Master's - meaning that no matter what, you'd basically be starting over. This may feel like a waste of two years. Might not apply to you, though. On the other hand, you may prove to be a stronger applicant to your choice schools with more coursework under your belt. So I guess: take the fellowship, get the MA.
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