Switch

[pitz2]

Hi,

I'm an Italian student and I was accepted in a PhD program in the states. Recently I figured out that I can't be there for all the duration of a PhD because of personal problems and so I wanted to switch program into a master. I haven't passed through all the admission process yet.

At this school both Phd and master are funded.

I guess that a master student is less appealing for a university than a PhD ones, because it's not going to do research in the school after his formation.

So, when a university pick someone it's more important the applicant or what he wants to do?

And when is the best time to tell them that I want to switch?

I'm afraid that telling them that now will make them change their mind about their pick, and I don't want this to happen.

Thank you

Pietro

P.S. Consider that I need an american degree because my girlfriend is from there. So not doing it at all is not an option.

[Quantum Buckyball]

You should tell them you're still interested in going to their school. However, you do need to tell them why you want to switch to a Master program from a PhD though, even though it's something personal. It's best to just go ahead and let them know as soon as possible.