回复：J-1 scholar想读PHD，请大家帮忙

You can ask your university in which you are going to study whether you accept J-1 student. If yes, you can directly go to MI to registrate as a J-1 student, your spouse and baby are still in J-2.

Once you begin your study there, you can go on with J-1 waiver. Once you waive your J-1, you can immediately apply for F-1 for you and F-2 for your dependents.