Benjohnson84

I am the first PhD and RA student, so nobody knows how she is going to assign works to me! But, she ounce told me that she would expect me to work all the 20 hours and she is strict on it and she, herself, works a lot as she is busy! Maybe I am considering the worst case, but it might happen as I heard from my friends experiences.

Thanks for your helpful answers! I am in Natural Resources field. In program A, the TT professor says she would fund me for two years with the RA and research money and most likely, I have to find a TAship or grants afterward to fund my studies. My offer in program B is a RA which is extendable for 4 years and the first year has a 50% more as an excellence fellowship. Both letters mention for 1 year, extendable upon performance. @TakeruK: I have thought about all the factors you mentioned. I agree with you about the TT adviser, but as a con it might be that I will be overloaded due to the high work load and expectations of the professor. The other facts which I am considering are the living conditions in College Station, TX (program B ) vs. Columbus, OH (program A) which I prefer the former since it is a college town and has a preferable climate. Plus, the first year 50% bonus in the program B provides comfort and security in the beginning for an international student. I don't know how important are these!

Hi, I have been admitted to two different PhD programs. Both are tier 1, but the first one (program A) is a higher ranked university and has a program which exactly fits to my current research interest, both in my RA position and the curriculum. The second one (program B ) is in the same field, but not exactly a fit to my interest, though close. Program A has offered me funding for two years vs. program B for 4 years, with a bonus for the first year. In program A, the adviser would be a new, tenure track assistant professor which would expect me to work more as I am the only and first assistant of her. However, in program B, my adviser would be a full professor who is experienced, easygoing and with lower expectations. If I go to program B, I would be able to work on my current research interest, but probably not as much as in program A. However, I would be exposed to a more diverse research area and experiences. In program A, my adviser's research and my RA duties would be same as my current research in MS. Climate and living conditions were not important for me, but with such relatively equal options, I lean toward the program B which is situated in a college town with warmer and less cloudy climate than program A. What would you do in such a situation? Would you give priority to the research fit or more comfortable life and duties with hopes to have opportunities to do your own research?