Transfer after one year in PhD

[RefurbedScientist]

Hello All,

I've search around a bit on grad cafe, but haven't found much on my precise question.

I'm in the first year of a PhD program. I'm considering applying to transfer to a program to which I had been accepted during last Spring's admissions cycle, which I turned down. The reason I want to transfer is faculty fit. It turns out I don't have a fit with anyone in my current department. Other than that, no conflicts or bad will. Other than fit, I'm doing very well in my program.

My question is two part.

First, and most importantly, what's involved in applying to transfer to a school that had offered me admission last Spring? Do I need to apply all over again, or can I just get some letter of good standing from my current department and ask my target department to reconsider the application they have on record? This matters because I'm short on time and I would hate to trouble my references to upload letters.

My second question is about timing. It seems like the accepted wisdom is to wait until after having a MA to apply for transfer. I think I'd prefer to do it sooner because, by the time I finish my MA, I'll be moving onto the dissertation phase and working with faculty will be less important. I'd rather transfer now so that I have my whole second year to work with faculty. But is it silly to apply to transfer after only three months of my current program? I think that, because the problem is lack of faculty fit and support, "waiting it out" isn't going to improve things. As far as social fit with the cohort and succeeding in my classes, I'm doing fine.

For what it's worth, I'm in the social sciences. Also, the program I would like to transfer into was very keen on having me last year, so it's not a total long shot. I turned them down mostly for geographic reasons.

Edited November 19, 2012 by SocialGroovements

[fuzzylogician]

First, and most importantly, what's involved in applying to transfer to a school that had offered me admission last Spring? Do I need to apply all over again, or can I just get some letter of good standing from my current department and ask my target department to reconsider the application they have on record? This matters because I'm short on time and I would hate to trouble my references to upload letters.

Normally there is no such thing as transferring in graduate school. You have to reapply in this cycle and get admitted again. Furthermore, it's very likely that you'll have to repeat at least part of the first year instead of being allowed to join as a second year. The specifics of your case may be different, however, and that's something you will have to work out with the new program directly.

My second question is about timing. It seems like the accepted wisdom is to wait until after having a MA to apply for transfer. I think I'd prefer to do it sooner because, by the time I finish my MA, I'll be moving onto the dissertation phase and working with faculty will be less important. I'd rather transfer now so that I have my whole second year to work with faculty. But is it silly to apply to transfer after only three months of my current program? I think that, because the problem is lack of faculty fit and support, "waiting it out" isn't going to improve things. As far as social fit with the cohort and succeeding in my classes, I'm doing fine.

Usually you don't "apply for a transfer" after you have your MA. Rather, you apply for the PhD program. I'm not sure I followed the logic of not needing to work with faculty as much in the later years as opposed to earlier years, but I suppose it may be field specific. I rely on my advisors' guidance now that I'm in my fourth year just as much as I did in 1-2 years, if not more. Decisions you make later in the game matter just as much, in particular things like dissertation topic and where to apply for jobs. I don't know the details of the program you're in but if you're only three months into the program and already want to switch, it may be wiser not to wait. It all comes down to whether you can justify the move, and whether you can do it without burning bridges in your current program. If you can, I don't see a reason to wait for the MA.

[RefurbedScientist]

@fuzzylogician, thanks so much for your response.

I see what you mean about transferring vs. reapplying. Makes sense.

As for the diminishing value of faculty fit over time, I'm concerned about the "apprenticeship" phase. It sounds like that might be particular to my field. In short, in the first two years of a MA/PhD program, it's common for students doing certain kinds of work to work as a research assistant for a professor in exchange for both funding and a co-authored publication or two. After one has received the MA, he/she usually works independently on a dissertation, perhaps still producing a couple of articles in the years it takes to finish the dissertation. So having a professor for whom you can "apprentice" matters significantly at first, but not so much later one. You are of course right that the guidance of a good advisor is crucial throughout the duration of the program.

The explicit reason I would give for the move is what I said here, which is I think I'll fit in better elsewhere. I can't imagine that would offend anyone except for my own advisor who works in my sub-field, but he's moving in a new direction I didn't know about when I applied, so I think he would understand. I can't burn bridges that were never built, right?

Thanks again for the advice.

Does anyone else out there have any experience with re-applying to a program to which they've already been accepted? Are there any short-cuts? Can I just ask them to reconsider my original application or do I need to start from scratch?

I know I can just ask the department, but I'm trying to keep my plans on the DL until I'm absolutely certain of what I'll do.

[R Deckard]

I'm considering doing the same thing. Having contacted the professor I would be working with, he said that most of my paperwork could be recycled and confirmed that admission would be almost guaranteed considering I was accepted last year. Additionally, you may want to consider figuring out a way to start in the spring since coursework at your current university might not transfer.

[R Deckard]

Update: It may be possible to have your admission changed from fall to the spring semester.

[staceyjo]

I actually have "transferred". I had to apply as a new student and the program only allows 6 credits to transfer (I've done 15), so far I haven't gotten approval to transfer any credits. I looked into this for about a year, and actually completely left my first program and reapplied to 4 other schools. All 4 schools made me apply as a new student and wouldn't guarantee any transfer credits. I know at the school I'm starting at in the Spring if you apply and deny the acceptance or even defer you have to completely reapply. I would contact the school you want to transfer to and the specific department, because I know a friend of mine wanted to transfer Psych PhD programs and was going to be able to just step right in as a 2nd year student.

I'm also 90% sure the school I'm starting at in the Spring contacted my original program and asked them about my leaving and to see what the reason was I gave them. I know I had to even produce more application materials than usual because I had left the same program at a different school.

I feel for you, I didn't like the faculty at my first program either and in fact the director is refusing to refund me money for a class I never took.

Good Luck!