Guess what...

[BlueSwedeShoes]

Yeah, surprise surprise, I too need a second opinion (and perhaps a third...)

Essentially it breaks down like this;

Place A:

+Interesting and relevant research

+Nice funding offer

+Most likely RA instead of TA

-Unknown adviser (as in; not many people have herd of this person, pretty young and relatively new out of his/her own phd education)

-No health insurance

Place B:

+Superstar, everyone-knows-this-person adviser (who is late in his/her career)

+ (or -?) Uni is a hub of interesting research but nothing specific has been mentioned to me (I can probably do a bit of whatever I feel like)

+Said superstar adviser is trying to get me an RA position rather than the offered TA

-Kinda crappy funding (it will not be enough cover my modest living expenses)

-Said adviser is very hands-off and can be difficult to work with (according to several sources including the advisers own words of warning)

Places C and D are not in the game at this point, it's either of these two.

And I haven't been able to visit either since I'm outside of the US and cannot take the time and money to go visit in person

Also they're both kinda crappy places to live, so I guess that's not a factor

Edit: Maybe I should add that one of the things I (as a foreigner) am most wondering about is how much the adviser name/reputation plays in to future job prospects etc?

Edited March 22, 2010 by waylance

[res2135]

I honestly would choose school B if only for the health insurance (I assume you'll get health insurance since you didn't mention it either way).

[BlueSwedeShoes]

Yes, B would include health insurance. But even when factoring in paying for a decent insurance, I would still get more money at A.

[origin415]

As long as you can cover all your expenses, I wouldnt put much weight in money. Other things will contribute much more to your happiness with your grad school, I think. I would follow the research. If you don't know any specifics from B, then I would ask.

[BlueSwedeShoes]

As long as you can cover all your expenses, I wouldnt put much weight in money. Other things will contribute much more to your happiness with your grad school, I think. I would follow the research. If you don't know any specifics from B, then I would ask.

You're absolutely right, but I'm afraid B's offer won't cover all my expenses. As in, they just emailed me saying I need to provide proof of other funds (a few thousand $$$) in addition to their offer else they cannot offer me a visa

Also, after five years of really tight living on loans I'm just sick of financial insecurities and the stress it brings.

[UnlikelyGrad]

I'm going to dissent and tell you to go with A. Yes, you are taking a bit of a chance on a non-superstar advisor...but you will get a lot more personal attention. That can be a BIG asset to you.

[Jus10]

It seems like you're just waiting for someone to tell you school A is the better choice. From what I've read of your responses here, you seem to be leaning to school A.

[BlueSwedeShoes]

It seems like you're just waiting for someone to tell you school A is the better choice. From what I've read of your responses here, you seem to be leaning to school A.

Yes and no. It is true that I was (maybe am?) leaning A, but I'm very torn. I'm mostly afraid that I'll toss away the chance to work with a really well-known adviser and that it will hurt my chances (for job etc) later.

[fuzzylogician]

I'm also going to say school A. The advisor is the only unknown there, and that can be either good or bad, but it sounds like the experience you'll have with the famous advisor at school B could also make your life unpleasant for the 5 years of grad school. Yes, having a big-name advisor probably won't hurt, but it's not the only factor to consider. Unhappiness with the other advisor's mentoring style, more TA work (I assume you say that as a minus?) and a lower quality of life with more debt I think weigh more than having an unknown advisor.

A young advisor can have pluses and minuses. They'll be inexperienced, so they might (likely) make rookie mistakes. That can perhaps be addressed by having a second advisor who knows their way around the procedures. You'll have a much better chance of molding the advisor-advisee relationship with this professor to your own liking; and they are going to be much more enthusiastic and involved in your research. You're going to be one of their first students, and your success will bear on their success. They will also be working towards tenure, so this should be one of the most productive times in their career. Again, it's hard to know what kind of advisor they will turn out to be, but the opportunity is out there to make it a good experience all around.

ETA: since you didn't say - have you talked with any of the young advisor's current students (are there any? even students who only took a course and written a term paper for this professor)? They could tell you a lot about the professor's style which can help you decide if they're right for you.

Edited March 22, 2010 by fuzzylogician

[juror#1]

Coming from someone who just turned down a huge name in my field (not just the advisor but the school as well), go where you think is going to be best for you. This includes research, funding (part of my turning down the other school was not being able to live off of what they gave me), the advising style you want, etc. I come from a background where my advisor is very hands on, and so I looked for that in my potential advisors for grad school. To me you seem to be leaning towards A. Yes it might be a risk to go with a more unknown advisor, it might also pay off because they might be more energetic and productive with their research (such as my current advisor who just got her Ph.D. 2 years ago). But only you can make this decision, and in your mind you might already know where you want to go.

Good luck with the decision, I am sure no matter which one you choose, you will be happy with your choice.

[Lantern]

I would choose A. Not only is the funding better, but I can't imagine signing up to work with someone that several other people had warned me about. I don't care how big of a name this person has! I'm not sure what "Human Factors" means (Sociology??), but in my field you work very closely with the advisor, and I would not set myself up to be miserable. Good luck!

[mbs191]

I agree...."A" needs to be your choice!

[origin415]

You're absolutely right, but I'm afraid B's offer won't cover all my expenses. As in, they just emailed me saying I need to provide proof of other funds (a few thousand $$) in addition to their offer else they cannot offer me a visa

Also, after five years of really tight living on loans I'm just sick of financial insecurities and the stress it brings.

If that is the case, then its A all the way. Don't take out loans if you don't have to.

[daimiasue]

I'd say 'A'... its seems like you'd be happier since you wouldn't have to worry about finances. Also, a young adviser may not be so bad..he/she will be energetic and involved and will want you to succeed since it reflects their success. In addition, I'm going to add that the well known professor wasn't always well known, he had to start somewhere with someone. who knows, in 10 yrs your unknown may be a big name too. Don't let the name decide your decision. I know I won't.

[BlueSwedeShoes]

Thanks guys, lots of good advice here.

I'm not sure what "Human Factors" means (Sociology??)

Human factors can also be called engineering psychology. It can be interaction/interface design, risk/accident analysis or a whole lot of other things. Someone has to remind engineers of what humans can and cannot do

have you talked with any of the young advisor's current students?

Yes, but not specifically about the advising style of the adviser but rather about the school, the research etc. Not too late to shoot off another email though

...and I thought the application was the tough part!