Great reputation versus research assistanceship (Toronto vs. Alberta)

[dithering]

Today I was accepted U of Toronto (Masters) which is ranked 11 worldwide in my field. No funding, but I attended the institution in undergrad and already know a few professors I would love to work with again. The library has great resources and I enjoy the city.

A month ago I was accepted to a lesser known, up and coming school (Alberta) with a strong department in my field. They offered me a research assistanceship and seemed very excited/enthusiastic. It's in the Top 60 Worldwide in overall rankings.

What do you think is more important/valuable, ranking or research assistanceship experience? What might be more attractive to US adcoms less familiar with Canadian schools? I think I could get equally great LORs from both institutions.

Edit: Alberta is asking me to decide by Friday! I am leaning towards it at the moment for personal reasons but would like to know what's the better decision professionally. Also I hope to attend a US school for my PhD. I feel like that makes reputation weigh more heavily for some reason.

Edited March 11, 2010 by dithering

[psycholinguist]

First of all, congrats on both acceptances! I really don't think you could go wrong with either of those.

Disclaimer: I know next to nothing about the University of Alberta and I've never been to Edmonton. However, input:

1. The funding makes a huge difference. But would it be impossible to find research-work at the U of T?

2. I think the fact that you already know that you like Toronto is important. Edmonton is supposed to be a neat city as well, but personally I don't think I could live there: the days would be really darn short in the winter, and it isn't close to a lot of other interesting things. Then again, a change might be exciting as well!

3. Are there extracurricular programs and such that could be of interest at either one? Massey College, for instance?

[socialpsychg]

My impression (and this is based off what I kind of remember reading on other topics, and my thesis advisor) is that American universities are usually only cognizant of two Canadian universities: McGill and U of Toronto. My advisor told me that if you get a PhD in Canada, you'd probably be staying in Canada. The same might be similar for Masters, to some degree.

I say it also depends on how prestigious your specific advisor is (if it matters nearly as much as in Psychology). Lastly, I think greater research experience matters a great deal - it would be best if you got your advice from your past advisors and/or LOR writers.

[psycholinguist]

My impression (and this is based off what I kind of remember reading on other topics, and my thesis advisor) is that American universities are usually only cognizant of two Canadian universities: McGill and U of Toronto.

Traditionally that's been true, and it's still a good point. However, while doing a BA in the States I got the feeling that things are changing; most of my professors were aware of more Canadian universities than just those two, and one of my psychology-profs (not a Canadian, for the record) surprised me by being able to name four or five other than them and knowing a fair bit about the sorts of research going on at them.

My advisor told me that if you get a PhD in Canada, you'd probably be staying in Canada. The same might be similar for Masters, to some degree.

I think it was Maclean's that did a study on this a few years ago - about whether it's better to aim for a Ph.D. in Canada or the U.S. - and it was inconclusive. The best they could say was that having an American Ph.D. might help you get a job in the States.

[peppermint.beatnik]

Several of the PhDs that graduated during the time, or just before, I was doing my MA (in Canada) got TT jobs in the States (and not at lesser known institutions either). I don't think you need to worry too much about that.

I think wherever you feel most comfortable is the best choice, but I would go for the funding. It just makes your life easier. Are there any funding prospects at Toronto, at all?

Maybe things will be different when you finish your MA, but it's quite difficult as an international in the US, right now, so don't put all your eggs in that basket. I see you're in English Lit, and the Hum/Soc.Science are definitely hurting the most.

[dithering]

Thanks for the input everyone.

To psycholinguist and peppermint: TAships and RAships are for Creative Writing and PhD students only. But I may qualify for an OGS, Ontario Graduate Scholarship which would be 15,000.00 and which I can only use at U of T. The problem is I won't know if I've received it until April 14th. A second thing is that if I don't qualify for the funding I could consider commuting to Toronto. It would be about 3 hrs return each day, but I would likely have classes only three days per week.

I am considering asking Alberta for a few more days to decide and meeting with my advisors/LOR writers. I would hate to accept the offer from Alberta Friday and rescind later, although one professor mentioned that given the very early deadline this is probably somewhat expected.

I would certainly be comfortable attending a Canadian school for my PhD but am just much more excited by the US scholars in my field at the moment.

[socialpsychg]

Traditionally that's been true, and it's still a good point. However, while doing a BA in the States I got the feeling that things are changing; most of my professors were aware of more Canadian universities than just those two, and one of my psychology-profs (not a Canadian, for the record) surprised me by being able to name four or five other than them and knowing a fair bit about the sorts of research going on at them.

I think it was Maclean's that did a study on this a few years ago - about whether it's better to aim for a Ph.D. in Canada or the U.S. - and it was inconclusive. The best they could say was that having an American Ph.D. might help you get a job in the States.

Ah, I see. Might want to look up that study then, and disregard my previous advice - everything I know about the subject is based off anecdotal evidence.

[mudlark]

I'm currently in the UofA grad program! Feel free to PM me with any questions. Obviously, I'm a little biased because I'm very happy at the UofA, but I would avoid Toronto for a master's, given their reputation of failing out English MA students. Their completion rate for MAs is supposed to be dire. You probably know more about that than I do, though. Good luck deciding! They're both great schools.

[dithering]

Update:

Based on the helpful info on this board and emails from my LOR writers, I have decided on Alberta.

One professor straight up stated it's best to follow the money and encouraged me to continue my studies in Canada unless I had my heart set on a US school (which I don't, I'm more excited about the idea of moving anywhere- US or Canada). He reinforced that U of A is extremely strong in my program and not downstream by any means from U of T.

The second professor said any prestige difference will likely be balanced out by the research experience and also pointed out that lots of ad coms in Canada frown upon academic incest; IE. taking different degrees at the same institution. She emphasized the value of forging a network across universities.

I realized that whatever doors might have been kept open by going to U of T are LIKELY too narrow for me to squeeze through anyway due to less than stellar GREs and an average GPA. I'm focusing more on the big picture and strengthening the skills I do have/ seizing present opportunities.

Thanks again for all your help!

[psycholinguist]

Ah, I see. Might want to look up that study then, and disregard my previous advice - everything I know about the subject is based off anecdotal evidence.

Hey, any input that comes with good intentions is valuable, and anecdotes have their place too! * grins *

Update:

Based on the helpful info on this board and emails from my LOR writers, I have decided on Alberta.

One professor straight up stated it's best to follow the money and encouraged me to continue my studies in Canada unless I had my heart set on a US school (which I don't, I'm more excited about the idea of moving anywhere- US or Canada). He reinforced that U of A is extremely strong in my program and not downstream by any means from U of T.

The second professor said any prestige difference will likely be balanced out by the research experience and also pointed out that lots of ad coms in Canada frown upon academic incest; IE. taking different degrees at the same institution. She emphasized the value of forging a network across universities.

I realized that whatever doors might have been kept open by going to U of T are LIKELY too narrow for me to squeeze through anyway due to less than stellar GREs and an average GPA. I'm focusing more on the big picture and strengthening the skills I do have/ seizing present opportunities.

Thanks again for all your help!

w00t! Congrats on the decision! Best of luck!