SummerLH

Hey, I got offers from both UBC and U of T (PhD IR). Not sure which one is better but hopefully by the end of April will have an answer. Anyone contemplating turning down U of T or already have. Want to share your reason?

Thats one depressing article. Its becoming way tougher to make a career in academia so I think it is always best to have a backup plan at least. Currently, I am trying to figure out mine but so far I really dont want to do anything else!

Wow this is quite a coincidence! I am also considering declining the UofT offer for a similar reasoning. I am interested in Adler's work but he hasn't been as forthcoming and one of my profs told me that sometimes he may not be as supportive of his students. Plus the money is just so little! I am leaning towards UBC and besides it has a prof whose work I am equally interested in. Btw, I am an international applicant and given UBC's stats, it appears to be as competitive in terms of job opportunity. I am also more interested in the Canadian market. Either way, definitely going to work my ass off to build a career in academia!

So I found out today that I got admitted to both the schools (UBC and UofT) for their PhD program in the Political Science Department (I am doing International Relations/IR). Now its time to make the decision. Here are some of my pros and cons so far: UBC Pros: 1. It has the prof that I really like 2. Because it is a smaller school, I get the feeling that the department cares for its PhD students more, especially in helping them secure tenure track positions, other jobs, etc. 3. This is sort of lame but its such a beautiful campus 4. Financially, UBC is offering me a better package Con: 1. Not a big name like UofT and not really aware of its international presence (so smaller job market) 2. Pretty far from everything I have come to know and love about Ontario UofT Pros: 1. Its a top 20 school internationally and the best school for IR in Canada 2. Because it is in such a central location (surrounded by many other Ontario universities), there is more opportunity to network and also more opportunity for scholarship and part-time research positions 3. I get to stay close to my family and friends, which is important to me Con: 1. Dont have a perfect prof and not sure how much these big name profs care about their students 2. Kind of reiterating the previous point, cause of its big name I feel the university doesn't put as much effort into ensuring that its PhD graduates have successful future (ofcourse I am aware that majority of my success is dependent on my performance in grad school but not sure of the support they can offer) 3. Financially, UofT is offering not that great of a package Now that I have laid out my perspectives of the two universities, I would love to hear some feedback about the two schools from someone actually studying there (or not!). I really appreciate your honest opinion and hopefully this will lead me in some direction in terms of decision-making. Thanks.