Any opinion? How should I decide?

[punying]

I am an international student and have been accepted by two schools (5 years Math PhD). Udel and Upenn. Now I am in a very difficult situation.

First of all, I have already accepted University of Delaware. There are 2 reasons of accepting University of Delaware before hearing from UPENN:

1) There is a group on discrete math which I am interested, while in Upenn, very few (in fact, I still cannot find one) of the faculty members are doing research on discrete math.

2) Upenn said that they would most probably tell me the result after April 15 which is the deadline of accepting offer of Udel.

Now I have to make a choice between the two schools in a day or two.

Here are some of my thoughts:

1) Upenn is very well-known and most people recommended Upenn for its "better" education (I have no idea how to compare the educations in these two uni as I have not attended them).

2) I may have to change field if I go to UPenn (or maybe I can find a way to continue doing my research topic....who knows? =])

3) Udel has a research group in my field/topic.

4) The competition in UPENN is very keen.

5) I have already accpted Udel. Though I can always decline my offer before April 15, I feel bad as declining after accepting seems like "breaking a promise".

6) I have already said "hi" to some prof. in Udel (they are friends of a professor in my current uni). This seems to burn some bridges if I decline Udel. If I choose Upenn, will I leave a bad image to the prof.s or to Udel?

7) Udel has a lower ranking than UPENN (but is ranking so important?...I am not sure.)

8) UPENN may favor my future career (most probably doing research or teaching). (Many people said that...)

9) I will be a tutor every year in Udel (about 3 - 4 courses) while I will be a TA in UPenn after the first 2 years (Udel will provide me with much working experience while UPenn will provide me much time on studying. Both have pros and cons.)

In fact, both uni give me financial support and with local fellowahip , I believe "money" is not a problem. What I now concern is what choice would be the best for me... I really don't know how to choose. I understand that in my tome, it may seem I prefer Udel. This is mainly because I know so little about UPenn, and I have spent time on visiting the math dept website of Udel as I thought I would 100% go to Udel (as I can't imagine to be accepted by a famous uni, even I was waitlisted...).

Would anyone give me some opinion on making the decision?

(This is my first post here.... =]）

[mechengr2000]

I am an international student and have been accepted by two schools (5 years Math PhD). Udel and Upenn. Now I am in a very difficult situation.

First of all, I have already accepted University of Delaware. There are 2 reasons of accepting University of Delaware before hearing from UPENN:

1) There is a group on discrete math which I am interested, while in Upenn, very few (in fact, I still cannot find one) of the faculty members are doing research on discrete math.

2) Upenn said that they would most probably tell me the result after April 15 which is the deadline of accepting offer of Udel.

Now I have to make a choice between the two schools in a day or two.

Here are some of my thoughts:

1) Upenn is very well-known and most people recommended Upenn for its "better" education (I have no idea how to compare the educations in these two uni as I have not attended them).

2) I may have to change field if I go to UPenn (or maybe I can find a way to continue doing my research topic....who knows? =])

3) Udel has a research group in my field/topic.

4) The competition in UPENN is very keen.

5) I have already accpted Udel. Though I can always decline my offer before April 15, I feel bad as declining after accepting seems like "breaking a promise".

6) I have already said "hi" to some prof. in Udel (they are friends of a professor in my current uni). This seems to burn some bridges if I decline Udel. If I choose Upenn, will I leave a bad image to the prof.s or to Udel?

7) Udel has a lower ranking than UPENN (but is ranking so important?...I am not sure.)

8) UPENN may favor my future career (most probably doing research or teaching). (Many people said that...)

9) I will be a tutor every year in Udel (about 3 - 4 courses) while I will be a TA in UPenn after the first 2 years (Udel will provide me with much working experience while UPenn will provide me much time on studying. Both have pros and cons.)

In fact, both uni give me financial support and with local fellowahip , I believe "money" is not a problem. What I now concern is what choice would be the best for me... I really don't know how to choose. I understand that in my tome, it may seem I prefer Udel. This is mainly because I know so little about UPenn, and I have spent time on visiting the math dept website of Udel as I thought I would 100% go to Udel (as I can't imagine to be accepted by a famous uni, even I was waitlisted...).

Would anyone give me some opinion on making the decision?

(This is my first post here.... =]）

Here are the only things that matter, in my humble opinion:

1. Who is doing the research that you will actually enjoy doing for 5 years, and for the rest of your career?

2. Who is going to be better at helping you get a new job/position after you are done your PhD?

Ask around about how each of these departments actually treats their students.

UPenn is more "prestigous" in the eyes of Americans, just to let you know.