UIUC or UoR (MS) or BU (PhD) for Optics/Photonics

[foton]

I have been admitted to the following (along with conditions and offers) (International student). I had applied in the field of Optics/Photonics

1) Boston University ECE: PhD with fellowship 

2) Institute of Optics, University of Rochester: MS with 40% fee waiver

3) UIUC ECE (MS/PhD): Tuition fee waiver with RA ship.

 

Although my current field is nonlinear optics, I have intentionally not finalized my sub-field within optics & photonics, for graduate studies, hence had applied to places having good diversity. All three of these have it, however, in UIUC, I have already received an RA ship with a prof, for 9 months. Confused, as to whether I would be able to choose a different guide at UIUC, if my interests change. I have heard that at UoR, it is very difficult to get into PhD after 1st sem of MS (which is largely coursework, not much enthu about doing only courses), (only about 2/~30 students getting PhD). At UIUC, if it is not that commonplace to switch guides, I may run the risk of having to stay in the field in which my RA ship is. Need some advice!!

[Entangled Phantoms]

5 hours ago, foton said:

I have been admitted to the following (along with conditions and offers) (International student). I had applied in the field of Optics/Photonics

1) Boston University ECE: PhD with fellowship 

2) Institute of Optics, University of Rochester: MS with 40% fee waiver

3) UIUC ECE (MS/PhD): Tuition fee waiver with RA ship.

 

Although my current field is nonlinear optics, I have intentionally not finalized my sub-field within optics & photonics, for graduate studies, hence had applied to places having good diversity. All three of these have it, however, in UIUC, I have already received an RA ship with a prof, for 9 months. Confused, as to whether I would be able to choose a different guide at UIUC, if my interests change. I have heard that at UoR, it is very difficult to get into PhD after 1st sem of MS (which is largely coursework, not much enthu about doing only courses), (only about 2/~30 students getting PhD). At UIUC, if it is not that commonplace to switch guides, I may run the risk of having to stay in the field in which my RA ship is. Need some advice!!

Regarding UIUC: As long as your next advisor has money and is willing to take you on, you can switch if you don't like the field you start out with. The way current students have told me these switches commonly work is that you end up doing your MS with one advisor and PhD with the next. It is also a good idea to figure to learn a little more about the professor you are getting the RA from initially. Some professors can hold a grudge if they spend 9 months  training you and then you leave (was an issue for a friend with an advisor at my current school) right away. Other professors might be hesitant to take you on to avoid pissing off your the initial advisor. I don't think this will be an issue, but doing some research about your professor at UIUC beforehand would be a good idea.

PM me if you have any other specific Qs. I am likely not going to attend UIUC, but my interest is photonics and I likely met your professor. Not sure how much my opinion would be worth, but it is a data point.