Transferring from one MS to another (different school)

[MrGrad]

I will get straight to the point. If I were to enroll in a professional/technical-oriented subject (not an “academic” subject nor an MBA…though sometimes it is in the business college) Master’s program this spring 2014, at a low-ranked university with low admission standards, would that negatively affect my chances of admission and/or institutional financial aid at a higher-ranked Master’s program of the same or similar subject this upcoming fall 2014?

 

I understand that starting in one PhD program will likely negatively affect one’s admission chances at another later, but does this hold true with Master’s degrees as well (in a professional subject at that)? Will higher ranked schools realize I sincerely wish to “upgrade,” and I am not randomly jumping around?

 

My decision to attend a graduate program came late for Spring admission into better programs (and some obviously do not have Spring admission), not to mention the lack of time for GRE studying – so I may have to take it a second time later if I wish to transfer to a stronger program. Due to personal circumstances, I strongly wish to begin a program in the spring (I do not care that the credits may or may not transfer) without waiting till the fall.

 

Will this be a problem for later admissions and/or financial aid?

 

Also, if I begin in one subject this spring, will it negatively affect my chances for admission into another subject (at one of those higher ranked schools) that is distinctly different, but operates so closely with the other that it is often in the same department? I am genuinely interested in both.

 

Thank you for any insight.