Applying to Phd during your 1 year masters?

[kilenee]

Hi all,

 

I'm doing my masters in UK (actually just started) and was initially thinking about applying to phd (in US) after I have completed my masters. But situation came up, and I may have to apply this round. 

 

I feel like I can write a paper for a class I'm taking this term a little in advance and send that as my writing sample, but recommendations (although I do have two from my undergrad in US, I was hoping to get two from this school) and statement of purpose are a bit problematic. I also should contacting POIs too.... 

 

My GRE scores are also sort of meh, Qual 164 and Quant 167, so I was hoping to up my Qual to 166-167 range by the time I apply for Phd, but I'm not sure I would have time now. Would those few points make any difference?

 

I'm dead panicking right now, since I had not thought about applying this term, but I also think I can manage to pull it off if I really tried. Any recommendations? Is this a bad idea? Please help.