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I've finished my masters thesis and waiting for results. Meanwhile, I've started searching for PhD position. and I find out one of the requirement of one to three referee contacts, one of them preferably the masters supervisor.

I've 3.93/4.00 CGPA with coursework and My current masters supervisor is quite satisfied with my research performance so far. He wants me to continue my PhD with him and has offered me the position as well. Whereas, I don't want to continue with him and that's why I haven't told him about my PhD plans.

I'm confused and I'm not sure if I tell him that I don't want to my PhD with him, Will he write good remarks about me or he'll write bad remarks so that I don't get PhD position somewhere else.

Another problem is that if I tell him straight forward that I am not interested to continue my PhD with him I might lose this opportunity as well.

I've no one to discuss with about this issue and about my further PhD plans. Time is running and I'm becoming more and more stressful.

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Should I omit my master's supervisor from Referees list in PhD Application?

Almost certainly no. Your master's supervisor is likely the only person who can actually speak to your ability as a researcher. As someone who has done well on their coursework, their recommendation is the most valuable to you. The fact that he wants you to continue with him is good! If he didn't, he probably wouldn't recommend you to anyone else!

I'm confused and I'm not sure if I tell him that I don't want to my PhD with him, Will he write good remarks about me or he'll write bad remarks so that I don't get PhD position somewhere else.

This would be incredibly unprofessional and unethical. That's not to say that it's impossible, but you should have a good idea of whether it is likely based on your interactions with him. You should not assume this will happen unless you have a bad feeling about him already.

Another problem is that if I tell him straight forward that I am not interested to continue my PhD with him I might lose this opportunity as well.

This is just something you will have to bite the bullet and do. Since you haven't already promised that you will do your PhD with him, he has no legitimate objection. If he is acting in good faith, he should not withdraw his offer from you. There is absolutely nothing wrong with applying to multiple supervisors. If he seems angry that you are, then you definitely do not want to do your PhD with him. Of course, he may then decide to hire someone else, so it is possible you will lose the opportunity, but this is unavoidable. You cannot have it both ways.

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  • Thanks MJeffryes for your elaborated answer. It is quite helpful.
    – Ray
    Aug 15, 2015 at 11:57
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To add to MJeffryes answer: It is very normal for a Masters student to change advisors or schools for the PhD. You shouldn't feel that you will offend or betray your advisor by doing so, and you shouldn't be afraid to discuss it with him.

There is of course no need to say "I want to do my PhD with anyone but you," even if that is really how you feel. Surely there are other important factors -- location, research areas, etc. that will factor into your decision of where to do a PhD. I would frame the discussion in terms of positive aspects of the places you're applying to; e.g. "I'm applying to schools in California because I'd like to be closer to family", etc.

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  • Thanks David. You are right, may be I'm just over thinking about this issue.
    – Ray
    Aug 15, 2015 at 12:22
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    You are definitely overthinking this @Ray. Advisors want our students to be the best that they can -- and while we sometimes delude ourselves to think that it can only be under us that they can achieve this, we do try to act rationally in the end. If he can't/won't write a strong letter for you (be sure to use those terms "strong letter") then he should be able to tell you.
    – RoboKaren
    Aug 15, 2015 at 13:02
  • Thanks RoboKaren. I am quite late to say thanks for your nice answer. but I guess, its never too late :-)
    – Ray
    Nov 12, 2015 at 18:25

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