Stanford PhD Mat Sci Unfunded vs. Princeton EE PhD 79k/yr

[emandar]

I've been admitted to several programs for PhD studies, but Stanford and Princeton are in my top 2.

I've been waitlisted for funding at Stanford, and I plan to wait until April 14-15 to make a decision in case I hear that they will indeed fund me. My question is: should I go to Stanford unfunded over Princeton fully funded? There are some important considerations which must be included in my analysis. Stanford requires that its materials science PhD students find an advisor by the end of Winter Quarter, so I would only go unfunded for 2 quarters (seemingly, am I wrong?). I have the funds available to fund myself for two quarters (~20k) plus living expenses (~15k) for the first year, notwithstanding the tuition remittance and stipend afforded by the RA in the last two quarters of the first year while working for a research advisor. For those who know, is this analysis correct concerning the likelihood of finding RA for a PhD student in the third quarter? I will eventually have to do research, so the tuition remittance from the RA will definitely come into play at some point.

The reason I am considering Stanford so heavily is that I like the location, intellectual atmosphere -- Princeton has this too, and subject. The courses I would take at Stanford are very interesting to me and there are several advisors I would really like to work for.

I just got back from Princeton and was very pleased with the visit. The campus is very beautiful and the graduate students seemed very happy. My potential advisor there is a scientific rockstar and I would be happy to work for him. He is a mentor to his graduate students (coaching on presentations, weekly individual and group meetings, great at placing students into top industry positions).

Basically, I don't feel I can go wrong academically or with an advisor by going to Princeton, but it lacks the location and core course education with respect to Stanford for materials science. Also, for those who are interested in commenting about relative prestige for academia or industry, consider these schools/advisors to be equal in all respects.

[Slorg]

Which advisor at Princeton are you considering working for? I liked their EE professors.

[emandar]

Which advisor at Princeton are you considering working for? I liked their EE professors.

Dr. Chou.

If anyone knows about when unfunded PhD students at Stanford are able to get funding, I'd really appreciate knowing that information. If it's certainly within the first 2 quarters, that would go a long way in determining which school I go to.

[was1984]

Dr. Chou.

If anyone knows about when unfunded PhD students at Stanford are able to get funding, I'd really appreciate knowing that information. If it's certainly within the first 2 quarters, that would go a long way in determining which school I go to.

My understanding is that it's hard to get funding before you pass quals.

[emandar]

My understanding is that it's hard to get funding before you pass quals.

Thanks for the reply was1984. I think you're correct for EE at stanford, but looking on the materials science website I found the following:

"Students are expected to find a research group to join by the start of Winter Quarter. During the summer after the first academic year, students typically work intensely on research under the guidance of a professor in the Materials Science and Engineering Department or a professor from another materials-related department. In the second year, students continue to do research and typically take one or two courses per quarter."

From what I understand, the department (or faculty) funds the students who are conducting research with RA's (ranging anywhere from 10-50%, with tuition remittance being 100% for the quarter at 50% RA).

Since this is very important in my decision, I think I'll just call the department and ask about my specific situation.

[HassE]

Honestly, no disrespect for you or Stanford. Stanford is one of the best engineering schools in the world, acquiring a PhD from them would be remarkable and one of the few (in comparison to all PhDs) to get one.

However, why put yourself through the worry about funding. You have Princeton - also a top ranked engineering school world-wide - who is willing to pay for you to attend school there.

Also this is difficult, one of the biggest reasons your getting a PhD is for your future career. A career is used to make money. By going to Stanford your paying out of your pocket 35k for less than a year. At Princeton, including housing and what not, you'd most likely break even. A net total of you saving 35k.

How quickly could you make that 35k back in the future by getting a degree from Stanford over Princeton? I could be mistaken, but would someone else get a job (whether academic or industry) over you cause you went to Princeton instead? Never mind the added worry about you having just the worry in the back of your head trying to get support. What happens if by the end of the winter you still dont have a research advisor? Then what would you do?

i'm in EE so i'm not sure how Princeton is recognized in their materials science, but i'm willing to bet their just as respected as Stanford when its all said and done with.

The most important part, go check out both schools and see where you feel most comfortable. If you have a big smile being on Stanford's campus, then dont worry about the money. Go there, cause that's where you'll do best.

Good luck

[Civil_Engineer]

I would go with Princeton.

You shouldn't enter a PhD program without funding. If they didn't offer you funding then it means they don't want you or don't think they need you. You should go to a school where they really want you badly. Also, if you can't get funding at Stanford you risk putting yourself in a ton of debt.

[emandar]

Thanks for the thoughtful responses.

I have thought deeply about everything that hasseye said for the past few weeks. I think the best course of action would be to accept Princeton's offer of admission, but very near to April 15th. I was informed by Stanford that there is no deadline to accept/reject their offer, so it is possible they could offer me funding when one of their aided prospectives declines in favor of some other school. Also, I applied for the NDSEG and no one really knows if the results will be in before April 15th...

I think that if Stanford offers me some aid (tuition, at least) or if I am awarded the NDSEG, I will go to Stanford. I just wonder now if I have to inform Stanford about my decision to go to Princeton? I'd still like to be considered for aid and have the option of accepting their offer.

[sikyon]

Thanks for the thoughtful responses.

I have thought deeply about everything that hasseye said for the past few weeks. I think the best course of action would be to accept Princeton's offer of admission, but very near to April 15th. I was informed by Stanford that there is no deadline to accept/reject their offer, so it is possible they could offer me funding when one of their aided prospectives declines in favor of some other school. Also, I applied for the NDSEG and no one really knows if the results will be in before April 15th...

I think that if Stanford offers me some aid (tuition, at least) or if I am awarded the NDSEG, I will go to Stanford. I just wonder now if I have to inform Stanford about my decision to go to Princeton? I'd still like to be considered for aid and have the option of accepting their offer.

I don't think you can really accept Princeton's offer and then decline it in favor of Stanford, if they offer aid later. I believe that if you accept an offer of financial aid from one school, another school cannot give you funding for admission unless the first school specifically tells them that they have released you from your obligation (and vice versa they cannot withdraw the offer of funding if you accept without your permission). Trying to get around this system is, I believe, grounds for termination from both schools. At least that's what it seemed like on the letters about funding I got from schools.

[emandar]

I researched the topic and found a lot of evidence to support you statements, sikyon.

Thanks everyone for the help.