mathmann

Just FYI, the financial offer at PSU is contingent on me working under Katok's advisement. He as already expressed a desire as taking me on as a student, as I took a course from him last fall in the program I attended. Thanks for the advice, all! I am aware of this, and the proximity to Princeton is a large draw. I applied to Rutgers because of the breadth of research areas, and the ability to find someone in almost all fields (in addition to a departmental rec at FSU), I am actually not at all interested in discrete math and have very little knowledge of lie algebras (but could, in theory, develop into that field). I am actually interested in geometry and topology, and Rutgers, PSU and Wisconsin all have very good programs in this area.

New Brunswick is not where the physics campus is. It is actually in Piscataway. The townships surrounding New Brunswick are actually nice, so I would not worry about crime too too much. Furthermore, the train system is very good, so if you wanted to be part of a larger city, it would be easy. I would take Rutgers.

I would go for the PhD. While a Yale degree may be somewhat tempting, you will likely be able to show once you enter industry that you are just as competitive as a Yale grad. Furthermore, you aren't getting a PhD from Yale! You may end up finding that you would have to go to a school with the same prestige as CMU even after going into debt at Yale.

Hi folks. I was hoping that someone could lend some advice. I am currently applying to a PhD program in Math, and having gotten back my replies, it's decision time. Here are the offers: PSU --- I attended Penn State last fall for a special program. I apparently impressed them, because they have given me a good offer. $29,000 funding for first year, with $20,000 for subsequent years (contingent on me attending for the summer). Teaching duties would begin 2nd year, with a reduced teaching load then (only 3 credit hours instead of 9). Furthermore, I would be teaching real courses. Finally, I would be in a position to begin working with Dr Anatole Katok (a highly respected Dynamicist, referred to by some as one of the 'godfathers of dynamics') fairly soon, once I handle my quals. PSU is in State College, which has practically nothing nearby, and lots of countryside. Their math building was recently renovated 4 years ago and is gorgeous. Rutgers ------- Rutgers has offered me a stipend of $29,000 for the first two years and approximately $26,000 for subsequent years. Teaching duties would begin my third year, and I would only have the opportunity to TA for courses. There are highly respected people in the fields that interest me there, and I would likely find an advisor. Rutgers is in New Brunswick, an hour train ride from Philadelphia or New York City. The math building appears to be old. Wisconsin --------- Wisconsin has offered me $18,000 for my first year and $16,000 for subsequent years. Teaching duties would begin immediately. I get the feeling that Wisconsin has a slightly better program academically than PSU or Rutgers, but I also think that it is only slightly. Wisconsin is at Madison, near Milwaukee and Chicago. I have not visited Wisconsin, because I was recently taken off their wait-list. Here are some other factors to consider: -> I am getting married this summer, and opportunities for my fiancee in the area is a factor -> That being said, we are both somewhat outdoorsy people -> I have family at PSU that could be potentially bothersome (on the other hand, they could also be potentially helpful) -> The cost of living at PSU and Wisconsin is significantly less than that at Rutgers -> My father is NOT a fan of me attending PSU What in general, are good criteria for making a decision, and how have the rest of you settled decisions?