I'm just finishing my first year in a PhD program. The (only) reason I chose the program that I'm in (I had other offers) was that there was someone here with whom I wanted to work, and he agreed to supervise my doctoral work. But now, it seems he may be leaving for another university. There's really no one else for me to work with here. What does one do? (I imagine this is a common situation.) Could I transfer to another PhD program (with approval, etc.)? If I reapply for programs by starting again, then I'll have completed my second year here and I'd be loath to begin as a first year PhD student somewhere else after all that. Any advice? How often (if ever) to people *transfer* in this way?