Changing PhD Program

[BritPhD]

Hey there,

This is my first post. So, I am currently attending a PhD program at a fairly good university lets call it A, when I applied to A I did some research on their website about their faculty's interest areas. When I met with the program coordinator after I was accepted I was assured that there would be a research match for me at the university. However, when I started I was informed that the faculty member I had shared interests with had left to work at another institution, additionally, those that had had similar research interests to mine "had moved on and were investigating other topics," I was told not to worry that if I needed supervision in this field I would be able to find it at "another university." Also, when I was at the faculty/new student mixer I was told by one of the faculty that I "should have applied to University B (an Ivy League)." Anyway, so I followed the faculty member's advice and applied to University B, not ever thinking I would get in. Well I was accepted, fully funded, they have at least seven faculty members with interest and extensive current work in my research area. I recently went to visit B and loved every second of it, they were all warm and very encouraging and the program is just a much better fit for me. I was honest with university B and told them that I was already attending another PhD program that was not a good fit for me, and they didn't seem to mind at all they said they "just wanted me to attend."

 

I have to say that I really like the faculty at university A and my cohort are AMAZING, but I know that I would become really frustrated if I stayed. I know it is not the most ethical thing to do to leave university A, although I will be the second person in my cohort of 7 to leave, but I think I could have much better experience at B.

 

So my question is, how do I tell university A? And when should I tell them? I am planning to finish the term as B will accept some courses from A.

 

Thanks for the advice!

 

[TomServo]

Definitely switch. Let your current institution know you are transferring because B is a much better fit.

[juilletmercredi]

Do you have a faculty adviser?  If you do, I would begin there.  Let her know that while you have appreciated your relationship, you have recently been accepted to and plan to transfer to University B because it is a better fit research-wise for you for X reasons.  If you have any kind of relationship with her she should know your interests and see that B is a better fit, so there should be no problems.

 

Your next step (or first, if you have no adviser) should be the director of graduate studies.  Same spiel - you like A and feel very welcomed and liked by your cohort and professors, but the department is no longer a good fit for you since Professors X and Y left and you have been accepted to, and intend to transfer to, University B to study X and Y at the end of the spring semester.  Again, there shouldn't be any problems because this is a research issue, which is completely understandable.  She should be able to tell you if there's anything you need to do to facilitate the transfer.

 

I would advise telling them now - it'd mid-semester and at best there are 6 more weeks in the semester, so no worries as far as them pushing you out too early.

 

There are absolutely no ethical qualms about leaving a program that is not a good fit for you.  Don't feel bad at all.