<p>Hi folks</p>
<p>A bit of a weird one here. I was wondering if I'm technically "allowed" to register as a MS student if I was previously registered as a PhD student in the same field? Goes like this:</p>
<p>I received a graduate health professional degree a few years back. In 2007, I went back to the same institution and was enrolled as a PhD student. Although I wasn't really sure I wanted to do a PhD, I was ultimately enrolled as one (I wanted to start as an MS student, which is how I was supposed to start according to their published rules, but the school just admitted me directly to the PhD saying I'd eventually be "accelerated" to the PhD anyways since I had already had some publications, so might as well just start there).</p>
<p>After 2 terms, for personal reasons I withdrew from the PhD program. It had nothing to do with academic performance, although I really didn't get anywhere in those 2 terms.</p>
<p>I would like to return to graduate studies, but this time I'm sure I only want to do an MS. Further, I'm interested in doing it at another institution (one I can commute to), while working on the side as a health professional. I collaborate with someone at this institution who would likely take me on as a grad student. I just don't know if it is technically possible for someone to be an MS student after being a PhD student? To top things off, I'll be registering in the same "department".</p>
<p>Help! </p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>Hi, interesting and strange question. I’m sure what you suggest is technically possible, but there are other questions. Will they accept you again? Why wouldn’t you want to go somewhere else and get a fresh start?</p>
<p>When you originally entered into the PhD program, did you have a fellowship, Research Assistantship, or Teaching Assistantship? The thing is if you had this funding, and then walked away without even finishing an MS, I would suspect that it poisoned the well with the admissions office and faculty. I can’t imagine they’d give you that funding opportunity again. Also, that opportunity did not go to somebody else. When you reapply for admission, even to the Masters program, the admissions commitee will be asking…“Why take the chance again?”. Maybe, if you left the program on very very good terms, you’ll be accepted again. I don’t know.</p>
<p>If I were you, I’d want to go elsewhere just to get a fresh start. My gut tells me that there were professors and administrators that might have been upset about you leaving their PhD program. If you are their student again, the past history may really get in the way.</p>
<p>Hi</p>
<p>Thanks for your reply. I know it’s a weird one.</p>
<p>I am looking for a fresh start. I want to attend a different institution - where I did my undergrad - but it’s the same “department” i.e. I want to study the same field (which is the field of my professional degree). I did have RAs and TAs the first time through though.</p>
<p>I’m not particularly concerned about “admissions” in terms of them not wanting to take a risk on me again. I know who I want to work with, and this person is looking for a grad student, and we’ve worked together on papers (I work in his clinic!), and he wants me. Even if there wasn’t this individual, my profile is really strong, at the level where I don’t think most folks would be unwilling to take another “gamble” on me. It’s just extremely uncommon for folks with my 4-yr professional graduate degree to continue on to a PhD, we come along like once every 10 years. </p>
<p>I just don’t know whether it’s technically even ALLOWABLE for someone to be readmitted as an MS student. I suppose I have to contact the admissions department to ask for sure, since I presume this is a very uncommon situation.</p>
<p>Thanks for any replies.</p>
<p>If this faculty member wants you, then you should ask him. Lay it all out.</p>
<p>Graduate admissions are not at all like undergrad. The department will determine who is accepted and who is not. If your professor is influential and if he wants you, he will get you – provided that you meet the university minimum requirements. </p>
<p>My husband’s uncle has two PhDs, albeit it in different fields, and the first PhD did not prohibit him from entering the second program. You don’t even have the grad degree, so I imagine that it would be even easier. You will have to provide grade transcripts from the graduate institution, of course.</p>
<p>If you don’t want to ask, just apply. Your grad transcripts will be included with your undergrad transcripts. Let the department and university decide.</p>