This question is related to, but slightly different from, this one.

I'm currently in a PhD program in electrical engineering in the US. I've been in this PhD program since 2021 (3 years). Due to unforeseen circumstances, I can no longer continue in my current PhD program, and I'm currently applying to new PhD programs in the US starting in Spring 2025.

When applying to these programs, I will need to attach my CV/resume. My current resume includes the row "PhD student" with the dates "2021 - present", followed by a row containing "MS, Electrical Engineering" with the dates "2019 - 2021" that describes the MS degree I finished back in 2021 before starting my PhD.

I'm not sure if including the row "PhD student" with the dates "2021 - present" is a good idea, as it may confuse graduate admissions officers who do not expect to see applicants with previous PhDs. Only including the row "MS, Electrical Engineering" with the corresponding dates seems like a better idea.

On the other hand, during the past 2 summers in 2022 and 2023, I worked as a summer intern at research labs, and the experience I gained in these labs is highly relevant to my current and future research aspirations. This experience is mentioned on my resume.

So, if I don't mention that I've been a PhD student during the past 3 years, I feel that these summer intern positions will seem "out of place" on my resume (since it will look like I worked only during the summers but not the rest of the year).

I'm not sure whether to go one way or another with this, so I would appreciate any feedback I can get.

This question is related to, but slightly different from, this one.

I'm currently in a PhD program in electrical engineering in the US. I've been in this PhD program since 2021 (3 years). After passing my qualification exam, I've decided not to continue in the current PhD program, and I'm currently applying to new PhD programs in the US starting in Spring 2025.

When applying to these programs, I will need to attach my CV/resume. My current resume includes the row "PhD student" with the dates "2021 - present", followed by a row containing "MS, Electrical Engineering" with the dates "2019 - 2021" that describes the MS degree I finished back in 2021 before starting my PhD.

I'm not sure if including the row "PhD student" with the dates "2021 - present" is a good idea, as it may confuse graduate admissions officers who do not expect to see applicants with previous PhDs. Only including the row "MS, Electrical Engineering" with the corresponding dates seems like a better idea.

On the other hand, during the past 2 summers in 2022 and 2023, I worked as a summer intern at research labs, and the experience I gained in these labs is highly relevant to my current and future research aspirations. This experience is mentioned on my resume.

So, if I don't mention that I've been a PhD student during the past 3 years, I feel that these summer intern positions will seem "out of place" on my resume (since it will look like I worked only during the summers but not the rest of the year).

I'm not sure whether to go one way or another with this, so I would appreciate any feedback I can get.