[University of Illinois - Urbana Champaign vs. University of Texas - Austin: Materials Science Ph D.]

Both are great schools of course, UT Austin has a professor that's world renowned, and is willing to offer me a position.

UIUC has a stronger all around program it seems, though I won't be matched up until I start in the fall.

I would prefer the cooler climate in Illinois but that's really not a deciding factor. I'd be by myself to begin with if I went to Illinois, whereas for Texas I'd be with a classmate that's also relocating down there for his profession, again, not a deciding factor.

Both schools have really great projects that I'd like to work on,

So which one would you guys suggest?

[Where are the PhD MSE Applicants for Fall 2012?]

Austin's offers were sent awhile back.

[University of Connecticut Or Oregon State University]

I'm from Oregon State University, PM me if you have any specific questions about the living environment. My roommate is a Pharm D, so I might be able to pass some questions along as well.

[The final two]

I would ask for an extension, is there a reason why you can't wait until April 15th?