Explaining CV oddities in applications?

In our September "how can we help you?" thread, a reader writes in:

I am a second-year M.A. student of Philosophy at a low ranked university, looking forward to applying for another master's next year in a better university. I passed nine graduate philosophy courses with good grades. My bachelor studies were not in Philosophy and I had just one Philosophy course at bachelor, so I think I need my master's degree (and courses) for a successful application to a philosophy major. I have no personal problem completing my current studies as a master student to get my degree, but there is an educational law in my country that prevents people from entering master studies twice unless the mandatory military service (which lasts two years) is completed. I can withdraw from my current M.A. and apply for another M.A. without any problem with this law. In that case, my current university will give me an official transcript, but no degree. I prefer this withdraw option because it saves two years for me. Are there any problems with the withdrawal from my current master's in applying for another master? I mean does this have a bad effect on the strength of my application, and should I mention this in my application? Thanks for your advice.

This is an interesting query in a couple of respects. First, it raises questions not only about what this particular poster should do given their situation. Second, it raises more general questions about what people should do--both in graduate school applications and in job applications--regarding similar 'oddities' on their CV.

What do you all think? First, what do you think this reader should do? Do you think withdrawing from one MA and applying to another will give them problems? If so, what's the best path forward for them? Should they try to explain their situation in some way in their application? And how, more generally, do you think applicants should handle similar CV oddities? (If you have a CV oddity yourself, feel free to share it and/or how you handled it in the comments section!).

Comments

[Current PhD student]

I am not sure what the best decision is with respect to going to a second master's program. Do you know anyone who has successfully done this in the way you want to?

However, if you opt not to complete the first master's program, is there any obligation to include information from that program on your CV? I might not include it, because there's no degree to list. Although I would include being a TA at that first university, or any funding you received.

If you decide to switch, I would just describe your motivations in your statement as any transfer student would: while you appreciated your first program and found its resources immensely helpful, and while it helped you get acclimated to academic philosophy, you realized along the way that a different program would match your needs better and would help orient you in the direction that was best for you. (Or something to that effect.)

Disclaimer: I'm a current PhD student--I have never served on an admissions committee. But, if I were applying, this would be how I went about things.

Also, no matter what, I think you should also try applying to a PhD program this cycle anyway. (Or, that would be my advice for non-pandemic times.)

[anon1]

I don't see this as a big deal. I would list that you did graduate work at Institution A, but then received degree from Institution B. People transfer all the time for any number of reasons. As time passes and it becomes less important to your profile, I imagine Institution A would drop from your CV, unless there is something important about indicating your attendance there.