Non-traditional Seeks Engineering PhD

[decent]

Scene 1: My background is in Engineering Mechanics (focus though not formally), second year.  Due to life altering events in my family, I took leave of absence from an on-campus engineering masters program at a state flagship school and am now finishing online through another state's flagship masters programl 3 years later.  Due to how the credits worked out, graduation has eluded me until Summer of this year.  My research is largely aircraft structures focused.

Scene 2: My interest in community and the 'maker' movement has led me to "Making" at a local campus-based lab at a two-year school.  As such, the faculty and general atmosphere has led me to try to pursue my interest in teaching, especially undergrads. (I graduated from an all undergrad campus).

Scene 3: Out of interest and encouragement in a PhD, contact and discussion is held with professor at an interdisciplinary engineering program not far off.  It is explained that my interest in branching to Civil Engineering with an interest in 'unique' concrete implementations would be of welcome and could be built from my core understanding of solid mechanics.  In fact, he goes on to state that my Maker program experience could justify employment at the co-located makerspace being started on their campus for youth and community.  Additionally, a combination of  a TA position would be available in core courses to bolster my teaching experience.

Scene 4: Said professor states to stay in contact.  We do a couple times a semester.  At end of Fall semester, my progress is reported and continued interest in program.  No reply.  Mid-January rolls around, a "remember me" reminder is sent.  Several days later, an email stating to the affect "let's touch base but it would be easier by phone" is sent.  Sent my phone number and invitation to call.  Nothing to date.

Scene 5: Current masters program school states they are now starting a distance PhD program in my department.  Of course, self-funded (very economical) which sets in mind that perhaps the local 2-year might be interested in hiring me for their fledgling 'pre-engineering' program, whereby it'd be possible to obtain some teaching experience while enrolled in a distance PhD program that seems to be working for me.

So the pros of staying with current school is obvious: familiarity, intriguing problems, good name, solid adviser.

Cons of current school: lack of teaching experience, self-funded, and quals.

Pros of proposed school is: teaching experience, good for family, applied experience, funded (hopefully) and no quals

Cons of proposed school is: lack of engagement by professor

What would you do? Contact interdisciplinary graduate program adviser for alternatives? Stick to online program if it's working? Look for another program in-residence (if possible)?

This guy is no spring chicken-the plasticity of my brain is hardening and the idea of quals scares the heck out of me as one of the exams is based on a class which garnered a 'C'.

Edited January 24, 2016 by decent

[emmm]

Can you apply to both programs and make the decision based on the outcome of your applications? Don't let fear of quals keep you from doing a program if you're interested in it. I don't accept that you can't continue learning and working at a high level.

[decent]

@emmm Thanks bunches for your advice as I needed just that.  Shortly after you posted this I started researching alternative programs and applying outside of these two programs.  Ultimately I was accepted to the 'proposed' school'. Now I'm working out the financial aid piece.  Another thread to follow!

 

Thanks again!