Hello !

I am currently living in NJ with my husband on H4. I am been accepted at a university for their PhD program. I am planning to change my visa from H4 to F1 since I will be getting a stipend. I want to know what is the most safest way to do so. I have read and been told that I can either stay here and apply for a change of status which takes any where between 2 weeks to 6 months. Or go back to my home country (India) and re-enter with a new visa - F1.
1. Is going back to India going to be risky ? I have heard that a lot of F1 applications get rejected.
2. If I apply for COS from here, will it be risky to travel abroad ? Will I face stamping rejection if I go back to India for a visit during my PhD ? I want to be sure of this because PhD takes 4 - 6 years and there is a high probability of me leaving the country to visit during this time.

Please kindly advice me regarding the best and most safest option.