louistar

Thanks for your comments! I want to teach afterwards, so I asked the professor I'm working as a RA for and she told me that unless I want to get a position at a liberal arts college, doing TA doesn't necessary help you that much..I think it'd be a very interesting experience to have but just concerned that it might take up a lot of my time to do my own stuff. I'm also trying hard not to think much about the money factor, but it's not easy..I really hope the visit will make my decision a lot easier as the deadline is coming up quickly!

So this is probably going to be THE most difficult decision I will make in my life so far..and I'm going start my Ph.D in policy this fall and need some help on decision.. 1. Well known school, flexible program, advisor has pretty good reputation among students, TA , located in small town, not sure if I really like the research focus of the program 2. School in CA, well structured program with good placement, fellowship, faculty research matches my interests pretty well, love CA. I thought about this too much and still have no clue. I've talked to professors and they said it's a tough call but some ppl told me having a brand name may be a great advantage ..I will visit school 1 next week and hopefully that'll help my decision (wont visit school 2, as I grew up around there). I know both options are great and either way I'll regret something about not going to the other school. But I need to make a decision after all.. any advice would be helpful! Thanks a lot!!