AngryLion

I am looking to do my PhD in theoretical computer science, with a focus on quantum computing. I have offers from the University of Waterloo and the University of Chicago and have to choose before April 15th. I’m inclined towards UChicago: they have a strong crop of theoretical CS professors and are revamping their CS department by recruiting heavily every year. My prospective supervisor there works on very interesting stuff. But, he just joined and I’ll be his first PhD student. So, no idea how he will turn out to be. Also, UChicago isn’t too high in terms of CS rankings (however, they said during grad visit that they are pouring a lot of money into their CS department and rebuilding it big-time). For UWaterloo, they have an exciting bunch of people working on quantum computing. I already did a Master’s here, so I know and love the place. But, I wanted a change of scenery after being here for two years. Also, since it’s in Canada and I’m an international student, I fear that I might not be favoured to do internships/exchanges in the US or get an academic/research position there long term. Any suggestions?

Did anyone apply to Scott Aaronson's group at UT Austin and did anyone hear back from there?

Thanks for replying! Two of my recommenders are from Information Sciences Institute, USC; they may know someone from one of the big colleges as the USC group frequently collaborates with other groups around, but I wouldn't be too sure as both of them have only just joined. One of them has papers with bigshots like Edward Farhi, so perhaps he may be well-known. Also, do you work on quantum computing by any chance? You know the names of all the professors! Out of the four, Vidick and Aaronson had replied to my pre-application mails. But, those were mostly generic replies, telling me to apply through the centralized system.

Undergrad Institution: Jadavpur University, India (within top 15 in the country)Major(s): Electronics EngineeringOverall GPA: 9.55/10 Position in Class: 6/70Type of Student: InternationalGRE Scores (revised version):Q: 170V: 169W: 5.0TOEFL Total: 113 (Reading - 30/30, Writing - 30/30, Listening - 30/30, Speaking - 23/30)Research Experience: Interested in Quantum Computing. 3 research internships (Indian Statistical Institute, SN Bose Center for Basic Sciences, USC Viterbi), 2 years worth of research. One foreign internship at Information Sciences Institute, USC Viterbi. Presently working on my final year thesis at my home university. 3 submitted publications (two have passed the initial stage of peer review), one draft to be submitted.Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Awarded the DAAD-WISE scholarship in 2017 for research in Germany (rejected). Awarded a scholarship jointly by the Indian government and USC Viterbi for a summer of research in 2017.Pertinent Activities or Jobs: NoApplying to Where: Berkeley (EECS), Caltech (Computing and Mathematical Sciences), Stanford (CS), MIT (EECS), UT Austin (CS), Maryland (CS), USC (EE), Waterloo (CS) Can someone rate my profile here and tell me whether I have been over-ambitious with my choices? Will low name recognition of my undergraduate institution hurt my chances while applying?