cait17

Hi all, I've been accepted to three information studies PhD programs, and I'm having the hardest time choosing between them. The money being offered is similar at all three, they all have good rankings, and I've now visited all three campuses and loved everyone I met at all of them. Here's a little bit of my pros and cons for each: 1) University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign Pros: Highly ranked, well known in my field Lots of amazing research-related resources - good support for digital scholarship (which is one of my subfields), biggest library collections, HathiTrust, great librarians and archivists etc. Good environment - very collaborative I really bonded with advisor Lowest cost of living for the three choices Cons: Not as strong in my subfield - the advisor said she is trying to build a new research group that would be focused on my subfield, but I'd be one of the first people in it Lowest amount of money being offered (not by much, but still), and didn't pay for my campus visit (both other schools did) Probably the least appealing location of the three, based on weather and fun social things to do Don't have as much information on RA and TA-ships - I know I'll be doing them, but they don't make most matches until close to the beginning of the school year Advisor seems like she'd be amazing to work with, but doesn't have the name recognition in my subfield as the advisors from the other two schools do (I think she's well-known in a related field though) 2) University of Maryland (College Park) Pros: Highly ranked Has the advisor with the best match for my interests, and while I didn't bond with him as much, I heard great things from his current students about him Great group of current students, faculty, and post-docs and lots of collaborative projects The project I'd be RA-ing on for 3 years sounds amazing - something that could have a lot of field impact and turn into a good publication, etc. My mentor has made it clear that she thinks this is the best fit for me Best match for my major field of study of the three, I think Cons: Maybe slightly less prestigious than UIUC or Texas? Very high cost of living 3) University of Texas (Austin) Pros: Highly ranked Really bonded with my advisor - she's well-known in one of my subfields and seems like she'd be amazing to work with Small cohorts and very collaborative environment Opportunity to help build up an undergraduate and master's program in one of my subfields - would be able to teach in the program and help shape overall structure Great location - I love Austin and know I'd love living there Highest offer (although not by much, but they did also say I could negotiate for more if I want?) Cons: They're looking for a new dean for the school my program is in right now, so no idea who would be in an important leadership role The program's focus has been on areas of the field that I don't work in - so I'd be a little unusual for them, even though there are faculty members to support my interests I can go into more details if needed - I'm just having the hardest time making a decision because all three seem like they could be good fits for me and my research interests. I've got 2 weeks, ahhhh!