Visa questions about changing school

[longterm 0]

I am a PHD student with F1 visa. After one year's study, for some reason, I might have to transfer or reapply to another university this year, with a master degree from my current university. My questions are:

1. Since I am changing my university, I will need new F1 visa and I-20 form. Do I have to go back to my country for the new visa? Can I do everything in U.S.? (My old visa has expired.)
2. It seems that I must inform USCIS ahead of time about changing my school. How early should that be? I am just trying to reapply to other universities now and if I can’t get good offers, I will stay at my current school and won’t change anything. Thus, I can’t decide whether I will really change my school until I receive offers in January or February 2014 and I will enter my new school in September. Will it be too late to inform USCIS that I am transferring in February?
3. I plan to be an intern with OPT or CPT during 2014 summer, which is the gap between my old and new F1 visas. Is it possible and legal?

Many thanks!

[lasko12 9]

I don't think you need to apply for a new visa. The new school will be able to issue a new I20 without requesting a new visa. You also don't need to notify USCIS, your schools will do that for you. The current school will issue a "Release" on your record (in USCIS database) and the new school will grant you an "admission" status. (they can only give "Admission" status after a "release" has been issued).

This information is for your references only. I am not a lawyer or law advisor. You may want to contact the international student office at both your current school and future school to verify.

Edited September 5, 2013 by lasko12