Changing schools for PhD after Masters

[ironmaiden]

Hello everyone,

 

I am currently a Masters' student at a top 10 CS school in the US.

I still have one year to go (Fall 13/14 + Spring 14), and I plan to go for PhD in Fall 14/15.

As such, I am applying around this December/January for PhD programs.

 

My question is:

Will my current professors be supportive (in recommendation letters for example) in case I am to apply to different schools, in addition to my current one?

 

I know this depends on me and my professors, but I'd like to know if anyone has been in that phase before.

One thing to add is that my current adviser and I are publishing in a top journal soon, and are academically very cohesive.

I am also funded by them, working as a research assistant.

 

I do not want to stir any negative reactions, etc.

 

What do you think?

 

Thanks!

[Balatro]

Just be upfront, open, and honest with them. Tell them that you're applying to other schools in addition to the one that you're attending currently, at the very least because you want to play it safe and increase your chances of acceptance somewhere.

 

Being a top 10 program, your professors know first hand that competition is incredibly hard and it would be incredibly stupid on your part to only apply to one program/assume you'll be allowed to continue onto the PhD.

 

That said, I know in the humanities if a program has a PhD program, it's rarer that they have a terminal Masters. Are you actually in a terminal Masters program or are you actually admitted to a PhD program and merely getting your Masters en route?

[ironmaiden]

Thanks for your reply!

This is a terminal Masters but I'm taking the thesis option (main goal for this coming year).

 

Just be upfront, open, and honest with them. Tell them that you're applying to other schools in addition to the one that you're attending currently, at the very least because you want to play it safe and increase your chances of acceptance somewhere.

 

Being a top 10 program, your professors know first hand that competition is incredibly hard and it would be incredibly stupid on your part to only apply to one program/assume you'll be allowed to continue onto the PhD.

 

That said, I know in the humanities if a program has a PhD program, it's rarer that they have a terminal Masters. Are you actually in a terminal Masters program or are you actually admitted to a PhD program and merely getting your Masters en route?

[ACM88]

I actually had to go through this process for my Master's program while applying to PhD programs (I didn't even apply to my home school) and it wasn't an issue at all. I have a very open relationship with my advisor and he and I were on the same page when I spoke with him about my post-M.S. plans; because I have been at my current school for my undergraduate and Master's degrees, the need and appreciation for a different perspective that I would gain from attending another university was very well understood. Even though I didn't apply to my current school, all of my recommenders were very forthright and happy to help support my application to other universities.

 

So, from my experience, I don't believe that it's a real issue. Faculty members understand the choices that students have to make, because they've done it theselves and because they've had other students do so in the past. As long as you're sure of the choices that you're making and are able to explain to your advisors what you're interested in pursuing after your degree, I don't think you have to worry.

 

Good luck!

[ironmaiden]

That was very helpful, thanks!

 

I actually had to go through this process for my Master's program while applying to PhD programs (I didn't even apply to my home school) and it wasn't an issue at all. I have a very open relationship with my advisor and he and I were on the same page when I spoke with him about my post-M.S. plans; because I have been at my current school for my undergraduate and Master's degrees, the need and appreciation for a different perspective that I would gain from attending another university was very well understood. Even though I didn't apply to my current school, all of my recommenders were very forthright and happy to help support my application to other universities.

 

So, from my experience, I don't believe that it's a real issue. Faculty members understand the choices that students have to make, because they've done it theselves and because they've had other students do so in the past. As long as you're sure of the choices that you're making and are able to explain to your advisors what you're interested in pursuing after your degree, I don't think you have to worry.

 

Good luck!