This is where i get confused all the time: J1 program and J1 status definitions... My initial J1 program (the Department of State sponsored Master's program) was a while ago. Instead of graduating back then i just transferred into a PhD program at the same University and as a PhD student i've been in renewed J1 status on the same grounds as any other graduate student, without the funding by Department of State. Absence of leave means i go out of status for whatever length of time i am absent... I would be able to get back in F1 status, right? So technically I would be done with my J1 program and status, once i am on absence of leave. Or am i still completely wrong here and i have to actually graduate to be able to start the HRR time? Thank you.

