Poor Yorick

I was wondering if you guys could give me some information about Buffalo's various programs. It seems to be a very popular school on this board, and I am not overly familiar with it. What is the English Department's specialties? The Comparative Literature Department? How is it to be a student in either program? Are they reputable? If I were to attend either as a partially funded Comp Lit MA would my chances at a top tier PhD program increase? Would I be allowed to take English classes? How do PhD programs know to what extent the applicants with MA's are funded? Any information about the programs there would be most helpful. If any current students there would be willing to talk to me, that would be ideal.

I have received two Comparative Literature MA offers. The University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana offered me a fully funded position including a stipend around $15,000. The second offer from SUNY Buffalo also came rather quickly and grants me in-state tuition and the possibility (but not the promise) of funding in my second year, but no funding for my first year. I anticipate further options, but as of now these are my only two. Which of these two options is better if the goal is to improve my chances of going to a top level PhD program after completing the master's? Money is something of a consideration, but in-state tuition is only about $10,500 a year, so the loans might not be so life altering, and if I receive funding the second year, then that would make it all the better. I researched both programs and found professors that I like at each (though perhaps more at Buffalo). Additionally, I have looked into program rankings on various websites, but am highly skeptical of the simplistic ratings and orderings offered. What can you tell me about these programs? Do top PhD programs (UC Berkeley, Columbia, Johns Hopkins, Chicago, Duke, Cornell, etc.) like applicants with external MA's? Will they be aware or care if my MA was funded or not? Will they care if I have any teaching experience (as a TA)? Any knowledge about either program and advice concerning this situation would be most appreaciated. My specializations include critical theory, 19th and early 20th century British and French lit.