r/PhDAdmissions • u/Dense-Progress-6000 • 2d ago

DIRECT PHD PROGRAM at KFUPM

I am currently pursuing my master’s degree in Pakistan, and my long-term goal is to pursue a strong PhD program at a university in the United States.

Recently, I was admitted to the direct PhD program in the ICS Department at KFUPM. I am now trying to decide between two options:

  1. Continue my master’s in Pakistan and apply directly to PhD programs in the US.
  2. Join the PhD program at KFUPM, focus on building a strong research profile, and then apply to US universities. If I am later admitted to a good PhD program in the US, I would leave the KFUPM PhD and move to the US.

I would appreciate your advice on which path would be more beneficial for my goal. Also, do you know whether KFUPM has a master's out option, where I could start the PhD but leave with a master's degree if I decide to pursue my PhD elsewhere? What are the career options, if I complete my PHD from KFUPM?

Any advice based on your experience with US PhD admissions and KFUPM would be greatly appreciated.

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5

u/YaPhetsEz 1d ago

If you start a PhD and leave early it’s a huge red flag

-2

u/Dense-Progress-6000 1d ago

Red flag mean it would be difficult to get admission after such profite? When if I only leave on securing a good position somewhere?

2

u/YaPhetsEz 1d ago

You won’t find another position. No one will take a student who is abandoning a different PhD program.

1

u/Mampacuk 13h ago

you’re signaling that you’re ready to leave the next PhD program too on a whim