JohnTao

Thanks! I guess my biggest concern is that I hear institutional prestige is a big deal, especially if I want to stay in academia later on in life, and I want to make sure I have options open to me in the future. I've been admitted to a great program in the Big Ten (U. Illinois Champaign- Urbana), but I don't know if maybe I could "do better" by completing MAPSS or if the risk versus the pay off just isn't worth it.

I'm curious if there is anyone here who has turned down a funded program for MAPSS? I've currently got a 5.5 year fully funded, plus stipend, PhD offer from a good institution but if my goal is to stay in Academia would pursuing a MAPSS degree be more beneficial? I've noticed a lot of Professors in the Big Ten, Ivy League, etc. tend to come from Chicago/Berkeley and I'm not sure how much weight to give to that as a factor in my decision.