McGill Vs GWU

[Tooma]

I posted this in "Decisions" board, I think it's better posted in this board.

Yet another topic asking for your opinion.

I'm applying for PhD in Electrical Engineering starting Fall 2011. I have two offers so far:

1) McGill, offered only a stipend from the professor. The stipend roughly covers the tuition fees which means I have to fund my living expenses.

2) GWU offered full funding.

Now, McGill is much better in terms of ranking/reputation when it comes to Engineering than GWU. However, the professor assigned to me from GWU is a legendary renowned scientist.

What do you think guys? What would you do?

I myself am leaning towards GWU, because I won't feel the stresses of self-funding and so. Hmmm

[PhDMan]

Hello

Definitely GWU, because financial stability is vital to your psychological health which affects the quality of your research which is more important than school reputation.

[HassE]

Hello

Definitely GWU, because financial stability is vital to your psychological health which affects the quality of your research which is more important than school reputation.

AGREED....whats the stipend that their offering you? Take into consideration that the DC area is not a cheap area to live in either. But some money is better than nothing.

[Tooma]

Thank you!

They are offering 19k. I think I can manage with this amount. I'll just have to live a bit far from the campus.

[HassE]

Thank you!

They are offering 19k. I think I can manage with this amount. I'll just have to live a bit far from the campus.

19k for two semesters i'm assuming? What work would you be doing TA? RA?

[Tooma]

Yes. RA.

[PhDMan]

Do you have to pay tuition from this funding?

Make sure you exactly know how much money is left for living. Consider also bus and metro fare if you live far from campus. I don't know if students get discount.

Do you have acquaintances/friends/relatives in DC area? Where do you currently live? Is it your first time visiting USA or Canada?

Yes. RA.

[Tooma]

Do you have to pay tuition from this funding?

Make sure you exactly know how much money is left for living. Consider also bus and metro fare if you live far from campus. I don't know if students get discount.

Do you have acquaintances/friends/relatives in DC area? Where do you currently live? Is it your first time visiting USA or Canada?

Nope, I got a tuition award + 18k RA stipend + 1k for health insurance. So after taxes and everything I'll have a net of 15~16k per year to live on.

I don't have friends/relatives in DC, but I'm talking with a a student association there that might help. I'm from Egypt and this will be my first visit to USA/Canada.

[PhDMan]

In this case, you will have about $1300/month. This is good money.

How helpful has the association been so far? What are you expecting them to help you with?

Nope, I got a tuition award + 18k RA stipend + 1k for health insurance. So after taxes and everything I'll have a net of 15~16k per year to live on.

I don't have friends/relatives in DC, but I'm talking with a a student association there that might help. I'm from Egypt and this will be my first visit to USA/Canada.

[HassE]

In terms of funding, you have plenty of money to live near the school and enough to have living expenses. Now you don't have enough to have a grand time, but sufficient to live well enough. Your from Egypt congratulations on your acceptance. I'm an Arab-American (Lebanese and Jordanian parents), I also applied and was accepted into GWU, but I decided upon another school, otherwise I would of loved to meet you on campus.

If you don't mind posting your stats for getting into GWU and McGill, i'd be appreciated. Are you coming from a BS or a MS?

[Tooma]

Congrats to you too, hasseye. Thank you!

I'll pm you my stats. I'm coming from MS, well I haven't technically finished yet.