Ethical Dilemma at University program I'm currently about to graduate from a US university with a MS as I didn't make it to the PhD program. For whatever reasons I was rejected even after performing quite well compared to other PhD students, I don't want to speculate. I had an idea that some of these students are cheating on the homework assignments by copying codes and solutions from previous year posted solutions. The professors are probably too lazy to do anything about it because even after I reported anonymously, nothing has changed. I had made peace with that, but in this semester, I noticed that they even have access to a drive on the network where the professor keeps the exams and solutions. I struggle to study for the mid-terms when I have so much of assignments to do, and these people get a head-start by just copying the assignments one day before the deadline. First of all, they have more time to prepare for exams or do other stuff, and secondly, they also have sample exams with solutions which the professor is probably repeating.

Instead of reporting that, I asked the professor if he'd provide sample exams to everyone. He got irritated and behaved quite badly even when I had genuine questions to ask during his office hours. After the mid-term, he screwed me in the exam and I noticed others fared much better than me. I have a feeling the professor knows and may be I inconvenienced him by reporting. I spend a lot of time worrying about this. In a month I'd be out of here and I want to have nothing to do with these people again. 

What should I do? Given that I have been rejected at the PhD program, if I speak to any other professor, they might think I'm making this up. And I also can't believe that nobody knows about it and they have just kept exams, assignments, etc on a shared drive. I think they're ignoring the problem to not give the school a bad reputation and might just fail me if I speak up. 

I don't know right now what exactly I should do. Except that I don't want to get hurt. Even if I report to higher-ups, I don't want to take names (not that they're my friends, but I only know a handful who are involved. Not sure if the entire class is cheating). I'm more paranoid about what the professors would do and if somehow they will pin this on me. It is easier to discredit me as a "disgruntled ex-student" than take action against PhD candidates. 

Is keeping quiet and hoping to get out without any issues the best option?
It sounds like you angry that the other students were "cheating" and got admitted to the PhD program while you were honest and were passed over. To add insult to injury, the professors seem not to care. Though you don't seem to have a clear goal in mind, I would suggest that it is to (a) achieve justice, and (b) not be handicapped in your final exams.

To the first goal, you should certainly report your experiences to the graduate director or another competent person. Even without proof, if they hear enough rumors, they will investigate, and things may be better in future years. 

Without proof, they are unlikely to do much. There is so much reasonable doubt. In particular, are you sure that the other students are  blindly copying solutions? At the graduate level, using solutions when you get stuck or to check your work may be appropriate (and student collaboration is encouraged)

Your claims about the exams are more worrying. Are you sure that the other students have exams? Are you sure that the professor knows this? 


If the professor might not know, it is fair to tell him. 
Without proof, the professor may not believe you (or may not care) -- as you say, he may just assume you are bitter and looking for someone to blame. 
You can provide proof by naming names. But you seem not to want to do this, and I don't blame you -- this could open a whole can of worms (i.e., questions about your integrity for not having voiced your concerns sooner).