gou2008 Posted April 10, 2008 Posted April 10, 2008 I'm trying to choose between two PhD programs in mathematics. I don't want to give names. One of the programs is ranked in the top 10 by US News. Their financial offer is not very mind-blowing. The other program is ranked in the top 21. If you asked anybody, they would say the first program is way better. However, the second one is offering a fellowship with a nice stipend. I'm pretty sure I would be happy at both places academically. If you know all the math programs in the top 21, you know that they are all great places, and you can't really make a bad decision. So, for me, it is only a question of better reputation vs. better financial offer. What would you say?
gou2008 Posted April 10, 2008 Author Posted April 10, 2008 The top 10 one is up north. Small, but nice city, very cold. I heard the cost of living is not high. The top 21 is very close to an urban city. Good climate. The cost of living is probably higher. I prefer the second one in terms of location. I like urban settings with moderate climates.
firecolon Posted April 11, 2008 Posted April 11, 2008 Since you are going for a PhD, you may want to think about what degree will look better. If you plan on going into academia, then I recommend the school with a better reputation. If you plan on going into industry, then it is too close to call. The math program ranked 21st in US News is the University of Maryland. If this is the school, then I strongly don't recommend it. I am finishing undergraduate school nearby and I can't wait to leave the area. The traffic is terrible and the people are not nice. The climate is not moderate - Maryland is very cold during the winter, very hot and humid during the summer, and there is too short a period in between where it's nice (and it just passed). I frequently tell me friends that Maryland is a grossly overrated University. I am guessing (again, I might be wrong) that the other school is the University of Michigan. I am not familiar with the area, but the climate is colder during the winter and much nicer during the summer. Ann Arbor is not very small and even if it was, it is not far from Detroit. Unless you plan to not go into academia and Maryland is offering at least $10,000 more, or you plan to go into academia and Maryland is offering at least $15,000 more, then I recommend Michigan. If I was wrong guessing Maryland or Michigan, then the information above should still be helpful.
livmoredyles Posted April 12, 2008 Posted April 12, 2008 Not necessarily reputation, though that does matter but go with the top 10. Simply because you never choose a school based off a couple thousand dollars difference. I'd rather miss the couple thousand while I'm still young, then miss it for the rest of my career if #21 doesn't make you as much of a competitive applicant for positions. Graduate school is not the time to try to get rich, if you have a lot of money you would have no time to enjoy it, settling for being broke just like everyone else and focus on your work. Being a PhD student is not a career, worry about choosing between two jobs with higher paying salaries later on in life.
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