asiordia

Hello, I am having difficulty choosing between the two program UCLA and UMD for Materials Science and Engineering. Below are some of my notes I've accumulated but I cannot decide between them. I am hoping someone has some insight to either program and how to best make this decision. Some background: UC MSE undergrad, long distance relationship(~2 years) with Harvard (Cambridge,MA) PhD candidate(1st year) with whom I would love to marry and start a family with, research background in energy harvesting and storage (~2 years). I know I want to graduate with the best profile/experience to find a stable job to support a family that I want to start a couple years after graduating from either institution. I really need some help here as the decision date is closing in. UCLA Reasons to go: 21k/year diversity fellowship guaranteed for 5 years UCLA/professor(tenured) name giving flexible options for job prospects after graduation Close to family, just in case in need of support Program quality is ~#11 on the national research council and has a pretty big alumni network. Reasons not to go I've heard diversity fellowships are not a very prestigious award and may actually be looked down upon by numerous companies. Proximity to my girlfriend is cross country and would be 5-7 hour flight time and more expensive. Research is not the most groundbreaking in the field and is not super exciting. It is something I know I would enjoy learning, but not necessarily enjoy performing often. Transition from a semester to a quarter system seems like it would be very impactful and make adjusting difficult UMD Reasons to go: Funding is guaranteed by department/grant from associate professor(can still apply to NSF GRFP since I got good reviews this year and know what I need to fix) UMD is close to DC and has many governmental agreements/connections from both the school and the professor I would work for The research is pretty exciting involving energy storage in textiles and has the potential of starting a small company. Proximity to girlfriend is about 2 hour flight time Close to extended family for help if needed. Reasons not to go: The name of UMD is nowhere near as recognizable as UCLA, even with the same course teaching and requirements. Job prospects seem limited to the government field which has a limitation in advancement of my career. Associate professor will work me to the ground to publish frequently Program is considered "academically unchallenging" by a few professors I have asked.