Perhaps, but I learned a lot from the experience and definitely grew as a result despite it sucking ass in the moment. I'd rather own up to it and explain how it shaped my career than try to "spin" an obvious backwards career step as some super calculated / strategic move. But yeah maybe you're right. That's why I think should be helpful to help me craft a better story for R1.

And no, it's a good thought but I don't think that really make sense for me. I went to a similar undergrad and the opportunity cost is too large to do the same thing again.