Pollux

I was at Caltech working on a summer research project during my undergrad. I LOVED the atmosphere, the city, totally agree with this "the geeks are way more hardcore" statement. Watch the movie "Real Genius." That is an accurate portrayal of what Caltech is like...well, except the popcorn stunt at the end. That being said, I was there in the summer. I heard from several UGs and grads that it is at times overwhelmingly intense. In fact, most of the UGs there do not go on to grad school in their respective fields; they've "burned out" by then. I know a few people from MIT. They do seem to have a better work/life balance and in general seem to be more relaxed. However, I think they lack some of the passion of their twins on the West Coast. Also, the weather is way better in Pasadena, but Boston is probably the more interesting city. Go to the visitation weekends, and go with your gut. You really can't go wrong with either institution....congrats on these great acceptances!

A resounding NO. If you can get funded at Sussex by going with Media Studies, then stay there. In a PhD, it doesn't matter what your degree field says (well, with a few obvious exceptions...like....history vs. chemistry, or something). What matters is the research that you're doing, period. Your job prospects after the PhD are dependent primarily on the work you've accomplished and your publications, but it also REALLY helps to be well-connected: if Sussex is a more well-known institution in your field, then you may have better opportunities to network. And don't forget, being happy where you are (and your girlfriend being happy too) should not be neglected...these are hugely important considerations. Can you get a compensation level similar to the German offer by going with Media Studies? Also, talk to your advisor regarding your situation, and discuss how it would impact your post-degree career prospects, he or she will probably have some great insight into this and might have some ideas on how to get funding at Sussex.

I would recommend going in to your department Chair and telling him that you understand if he has too many commitments on his plate right now, and is unable to complete the letter. His response should give you a better idea of whether he's actually tried to submit it, has written it but been absentminded, or if he doesn't plan to submit it. Then work on your backup plan. Contact the places you're applying and let them know the situation: you've requested the letter well in advance of the deadline, you've been in contact with your recommender, and the LOR will be coming shortly. If there is another professor at your institution that you know well, you could ask (very nicely and humbly and apologetically) if s/he would possibly be willing to write you an LOR on very short notice. I had a situation in the past where one of my recommenders simply didn't submit, despite constant nagging, email reminders, etc. The schools I was applying to contacted me to let me know that they'd received nothing from him a week after the deadline, so I asked another professor I was close with to write one, and he had it turned in within 24 hours. Good luck -- that's a frustrating situation.