barryeire

A PhD in Chinese History from Georgetown or Cambridge (UK), i'm still struggling to come to a decision which program would be best for me...any ideas? I have funding secured for both institutions and the professors supervising me are renound in their particular fields. I suppose it comes down to where i'd like to secure an academic post and I don't want to limit myself to the US...so should i go for Cambridge, it has much more international prestige?

luvalicious and Jaw 17, thanks for all that, most helpful.

I will specialise in American diplomatic history, specifically Sino-American realtions. I'm also keen on modern Chinese history and if i were to go to Cambridge that's what i would be specialising in, but this is also an option at Georgetown. Yes i can finish my PhD at Cambridge in 3-4 years, i already have a masters and there is no need for me to take classes and teaching is optional (btw i have many friends who have finished in this time span). Doing a PhD in the UK, it's all about your research, at the end of the day that will stand to you more (according to the UK system) than the classes/seminars or essays students produce while doing their PhD in the US. We do all this, write essays and take seminars etc, as undergraduates. Reg. the funding opportunity, i asked Georgetown what exactly i would be doing and they said i would not be working for the faculty (for the first two years anyway) but rather for the American Studies Association, "For instance, you (I) might be asked to coordinate the ASA newsletter, help organize the annual meeting, or maintain the website". This is guaranteed for my first two years and if i perform well there i could retain the position. It's a little vague about what i'd actually be doing, one of the Professors said it would be mainly admin. work and "the precise nature of your (my) responsibilities at the American Studies Association would depend on the organization's staffing needs..." Also, if i perform well over the first two years of the program, i would have the opportunity of receiving a University fellowship or a teaching assistanship. I think i would have to teach at some stage anyway, it's part of the PhD curriculum. I'm looking at a career in Academia but if i play the "China card", there would be so many options for me back home other than academia. What do you guys think now? Thanks again

Canuck, can you elaborate more on the above, it doesn't clarify my question about the financial package on offer

Just over a month ago I was admitted to Georgetown's PhD in History Program, I was delighted with this outcome and i presumed i would automatically qualify for funding, but when i enquired about my funding situation i was told that I would receive no financial aid. I'm an international student and without financial support i would never have the means to enter never mind finish a PhD program in the US. So i gave up on Georgetown and the US, it was the only school i applied to. My next best option was Cambridge (UK) and i decided i would enter its PhD History program. However, just a few days ago Georgetown offered me a financial package, unknown to me I was on a waiting list for funding. The financial package includes a stipend ($18040-9 months), tuition, and health insurance in exchange for the 15-20 hours work per week. Does this sound reasonable? How does the stipend compare with other programs? Someone has obviously given up the chance to go to Georgetown along with this financial package, so it makes me think it might not be a good deal after all. They did say there would be more opportunities for funding if i performed well in my first year or two but nothing is guaranteed. Is it normal to work 15-20 hours per week as a TA/RA? Should i go for it or just go to Cambridge (where, although the funding is not as generous as Georgetown, i could finish my PhD in 3-4 years, because there is no requirement to be a TA/RA)? This is a big decision for me so i'd appreciate any suggestions you might have.