<p>Hello,
I started a PhD in September at a credible school overseas. However, it is delivered online and part-time. I do not have a set supervisor yet or research proposal/direction, and have only completed 2 courses. I want to apply to another PhD program that is more aligned with what I studied in my masters/my interests. This would be delivered on campus and full time. The potential supervisor has posted his specific research for which he is seeking a PhD student. This topic is exactly what I want to be doing.
I am wondering, do I need to disclose that I have started doctoral studies? I have great references from my masters. If I should disclose it, how should I phrase it? I am usually not so shifty.</p>
<p>Any advice you could offer would be very appreciated!
Thanks in advance! </p>
<ol>
<li><p>Yes, you do need to disclose it. Academia is a small world and this is not the kind of thing that stays secret for long, especially if it’s in related fields. You’d be surprised who knows each other.</p></li>
<li><p>Just say that you’ve begun a doctoral program, but the program is not aligned with your interests and that you have been unable to find a supervisor. Usually, if you are leaving one PhD program for another, the new program will want a reference from someone in your current program - just to ensure that you aren’t leaving due to poor performance but rather poor fit. Any professor you’ve taken a class with who can speak to that would be good.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Thanks so much for your advice–I really appreciate it! I don’t think any professor knows me well enough to write a glowing reference letter for me, as the class is delivered online. However, perhaps the director (who taught our course last semester) could at least speak to my paper and participation in class. </p>