Accepted with fellowship, but...

[Gerri]

Hi all,

I've been accepted to a university with a Eugene Cota Robles Fellowship - covers tuition and provides a 20,000 a year/4-year guaranteed TAship. I've also been accepted to a much more prestigious university, but only with full funding (TAship) from the department. Thus, my question is how heavily should I be weighing a fellowship? I've seen CVs where people have actually listed the Eugene Cota Robles Fellowship (I've even see CVs with the Eugene Cota Robles Fellowship having been declined), but should I really go to a less prestigious university just because they are offering me a 'fellowship'?

Obviously I omitted the names of the universities since I can be easily identified as the recipient of the said fellowship

Thanks!

G

[rising_star]

I think you have to consider other factors. Location, fit, prestige of the advisor, placement record (both of the department and of the advisor), how much work does each TAship require, etc.

[Bukharan]

I am afraid in these economic circumstances, one must consider placements first. Also, try to get hold of current students in both programmes and see what they say. Do they feel comfortable going out there in the open and looking for a job with education/teaching experience/help they received at their institutions?