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I spent almost two years in a chemistry master’s program. I did many lab rotations where I learned many techniques, and I even made progress on my master’s thesis (though I never defended). Ultimately, however, I could not complete the required courses, and so the university asked me to leave the program (they suggested I transfer my credits somewhere else). After that, I worked as an research assistant in a lab where they only required a bachelor’s degree. I’ve been here for two years and am going to publish a few papers soon as a first author.

Now I have applied in a prestigious scholarship in Australia where they only require a bachelor’s degree. This scholarship will fund my PhD in chemistry. I was selected for further consideration. There are many steps (many committees, subcommittees, etc.), but I believe I am likely to be selected.

My question: I have not yet disclosed that I started but did not finish a master’s program. Should I disclose this? Previously I preferred to be honest and lost so many opportunities – they always seemed to be supportive but never ended up selecting me; I am worried the same thing will happen here. I do not want to lie or hide, but at the same time I am afraid I might lose this chance too. I really have no option left. If this goes on, I think I can never get into a PhD for being honest. Even I have tried to transfer my credits but its kind of impossible.

PS- I did not submit my CV yet as they chose me from my expression of interest and my publication lists.

Black Sheep
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    Better to reveal it than to later be accused of fraud. You would have spent a lot of time just to wind up unemployable. Maybe the best solution is to seek help from an academic counselor who can help you find a path to your goals. Possibly even this supervisor, but you would need to judge that. – Buffy Aug 11 '18 at 23:42
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    If you are asked about this matter (e.g., "list all the graduate programs you've been in" or "what were you doing in such-and-such years"), then you need to answer truthfully. If you're not asked, then I don't think you're obligated to bring up the matter on your own initiative. – Andreas Blass Aug 12 '18 at 00:24
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    Possible duplicate of: https://academia.stackexchange.com/questions/107351/what-would-be-the-possible-consequence-of-concealing-an-incomplete-degree – cag51 Aug 12 '18 at 02:00
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    @AndreasBlass - Yes they asked for 'all transcripts for all degrees attempted, including current and incomplete degrees'. – Black Sheep Aug 12 '18 at 12:58
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    Because they asked, you must tell them. Hiding the information in this situation would be dishonesty of the sort that could not only prevent you from being admitted but, if you were admitted and the dishonesty were discovered later, could get you expelled from the program. Tell the truth, and explain the circumstances as clearly as possible. – Andreas Blass Aug 12 '18 at 20:06
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    Possible duplicate of What would be the possible consequence of concealing an incomplete degree? – Nobody Aug 13 '18 at 02:39

1 Answers1

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You will need to disclose your enrollment in this unfinished master's and provide whatever transcripts or other documentation might go with that. It's up to the scholarship committee to decide whether this disqualifies you. If it's later discovered and they decide it was disqualifying and should have been disclosed, you're not going to want to try defending that since the whole point of not telling them is so they wouldn't know.

It's possible they may consider you to be still within their definition of holding a bachelor's only. Lots of people start things, then don't finish for lots of reasons. If you only have a bachelor's, there's a good argument that that's all you have and that you should meet their definition. The committee may also be a lot more interested in what you did instead of finishing the master's.

Good luck. But you will need to disclose.

Nicole Hamilton
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  • Thank you. Yes I will disclose.I prefer to be honest. Its really sad that they might not consider me anymore but I cant carry that burden for rest of my life as I always worship my work. I wrote this question as there are so many professors who can give me a proper suggestion and I did not want myself to mark me as 'a fool' for telling truth all these years. I will write my supervisor tonight. lets hope for the best. – Black Sheep Aug 12 '18 at 14:52
  • @Dukhiatma, I have to remind you that, in this case, there may be a trade off between honesty and profit. –  Aug 12 '18 at 15:42