delhigirl

That sounds great! Thanks so much - can I PM you if I need more details?

I had some problems with my previous ID (appchem) and this is my new one. Sorry to the person who replied to my post earlier - I couldn't reply from that ID weirdly. Thanks for your input, tamaki. I'm completing my master's in India and couldn't travel that far to check out OSU so it really helps that you told me about your department visit! I'm not too worried about the city, Columbus seems nice and I'm sure there will be a lot to do in and around campus. Your reviews of the professors and department seem very reassuring. Did you speak to any of the current grads there and find out their opinion about the program? I've rejected my U Florida offer too if it helps someone. The moment I was 95% sure about OSU, I got another offer. UBC Vancouver, Canada. The stipend is much lower and the city way more expensive. But I really loved the area and it's a much more reputed program than OSU ( maybe because I don't live in the States, but I'd never even heard of OSU till I applied). The faculty and research groups seem equally good in both universities so that's not a deciding factor. As an international student though I need to consider the future too - US has way more job and postdoc opportunities than Canada. I've written a looong post about this (Canada vs US for PhD chemistry) on the grad cafe forum if anyone knows anything about this! In short, I'm even more confused than I was before. UBC vs Ohio state. Anyone who can tell me about Canada vs US or either of the programs - help!!

Thank you so much for all the help! 1) Canadians do go to the US often to work or get postdocs but there's a special North American Treaty that allows citizens of the US, Canada and Mexico to work in any of the 3. Since I'm not a citizen, I don't know whether I'd be looked over for others who do fall under the treaty. 2) it would be great it I could PM you with more queries about living in Canada

Finally someone in the same spot!! Firstly, congratulations on your admits, both are awesome schools. Unfortunately I haven't been able to visit either of the universities because I'm currently finishing my master's in India. I haven't ever studied in the States or Canada before. Therefore, none of my professors have much to say on the US vs Canada debate. I spoke to a few people in the States regarding postdoc/job opportunities in the US after a Canadian PhD and they said that it wouldn't really make much of a difference and that lots of students do get such chances. As for advisors, I guess both are equally matched. Alumni, I'm not too sure about since UBC takes ages to reply to my mails and most of their research pages don't have much info about their alumni apart from names. Still very lost!!

Hi! I'm an Indian student interested in biochemistry/bio organic chemistry. I have received 3 Ph.D Chem offers and am really confused! Any input would be really appreciated. The universities are U of British Columbia Vancouver campus (Canada) , Ohio State and University of Florida (US). UBC is ranked top 50 in the world for my program and is much more reputed than Ohio State. However, I'm having a tough time deciding between a few things - 1. US versus Canada. As an international student, Canada offers a better deal in terms of VISA conditions both during and after my PH.D. But US has better job prospects (both industrial research and academic) due to the sheer number of universities and pharmaceutical companies etc. Would it be tough to enter the States after my PH.D from Canada? Or would a better university be the better option? 2. The stipend. UBC offers a very low stipend ($21000 + $2000 one time fellowship) on which I'd have to keep a tight budget. I need to pay for my medical insurance and student fees too from this (around $1000-2000 per year). Canada is more expensive too for living costs. On the other hand, Florida is offering me $24000 with full health insurance, while Ohio State is giving me $27500 (+2000 one time fellowship) with 85% health insurance. 3. As for professors, Ohio State and UBC both have 3-4 professors whose research I like. Having had limited research experience, I don't really have a particular research topic in mind, just a broad idea. However, Ohio state has loads of grad students in the department. Will this be a drawback? 4. Lab rotations. In Ohio state, the first term would be spent interacting with professors to decide which lab would be the best fit. UBC doesn't really have such a policy - most students know which lab to join, and a few do "look about" for the first term (as told by a current UBC student) and some do so before joining. The latter won't be an option for me because I'd have to arrive quite a bit in advance and spend my own money during that time. Everyone I've spoken to tells me that I'd be foolish to let UBC go for state universities that aren't top 20 or even top 30 programs in USA. I'd really like advice from someone in the field/someone who knows about the future prospects as that would be more accurate than rankings! Thanks a ton and sorry for the long post!