<p>Applied, got in to a few top 10 schools, accepted a fellowship, and am now feeling like I might like to reapply in a different subject, but have already committed myself to the coming year. Concerned about the 'ethics' of asking my former profs to recommend me again when they already know I have accepted an offer... My feeling right now is reapply, see how the year goes and if I want to stay in my subject, then decide come spring. Can anyone comment? Also, on a related matter, I accepted an offer from one school and then had second thoughts about another offer--is it ever possible to change one's position after signing the acceptance form? Yes, I'm prone to indecision--but this is a big decision!!! Any help much appreciated</p>
<p>Sure it's not cold feet?</p>
<p>Did doctorate at UofI, Champaign-Urbana. Recommend you go to your faculty advisor and talk through your indecision with him/her. They will listen and provide feedback, advice, and strategy specific to your institution. Can't say that I have ever heard of this happening before--changing PhD in midstream--but it must have happened before.</p>
<p>Appreciate the responses, but not really helping me with my quandry. Does this mean it is 'wrong' to reapply the same year you begin a PhD program? To me it seems reasonable given the commitment involved to want to have a backup plan if things don't seem to be going the right direction, particularly when I've become somewhat more attracted to a related, but different field...anyone...?</p>
<p>I second Tranquil, you should really talk to your professors. It's not something that we can help over the Internet. They're the ones who are supporting you and know you the best and know what's right for you.</p>
<p>Had a girlfriend that got into a top PhD program with the sponorship of her all-time best professor-friend-supporter. Her big mistake -- after she decided very late in the cycle before starting school -- was to not talk to him about it. It's not going to be terrific, but what're you going to do, get a PhD don't really want? Of course not. So the best thing you can is go ask quickly as possible to your professors, explain what changed with scientific precision, ask for their forgiveness for being put through the application ringer on your behalf, but convince them that your new path is really the one that you should have gone for all along.</p>
<p>Don't delay.</p>
<p>Oh, and grovel to the school that you put through this for their forgiveness as well. You are deciding this too late in the year for them to make it up with another preferred applicant. You have screwed them. If you are able to tell the professors that it's okay with the school you screwed, they might not care as much -- assuming this is a school/department that they want a good rep with.</p>
<p>Another vote for talking to an adviser.</p>
<p>If you have doubts, you're not doing anyone any favors sticking with it. There's no point in "feeling it out" -- you need to find out now, and preferably a year ago when you decided to apply. You're wasting time -- yours and the school's and your recommenders' -- if you join a program and you're going to spend the year applying for something else and waiting to hear if they've accepted you.</p>
<p>Okay, and what about the other school I got into, am having 2nd thoughts about, but already decided against? Should I kiss that one goodbye?</p>
<p>If you already told that second school "no" when you accepted the first school's offer, then it's off the table. The only thing's on the table is your fellowship offer from that first school. Especially if there's money involved.</p>
<p>Would you be willing to study subject #2 at the grad school you're already enrolled in? Switching from Department A to Department B would probably not be so hard. Even if it took a full year to line up a new adviser, at least you wouldn't have to take a gap year while you reapplied everywhere.</p>
<p>Snowcapk, yes, that was another thought that I had. Given there is some overlap between subjects (both in Humanities) I could probably even get credit toward my eventual major...does anyone have any insight into the feasibility of switching depts at the same grad school? Also, still not entirely clear on the reapplying issue...is it unanimous that absolutely one should not reapply to other programs (especially if not informing the current program of the situation)? Another part of the issue is that I have a relationship in a different region of the country. My partner is trying to look for work near me, but is currently locked into a job where we currently live...</p>