(PhD Computer Science) POI offering RA position, wants early start (May 1), potential "short fuse" offer

[DSA]

Hi all, I've got something of a conundrum and I could really use some advice.

 

I've applied for grad school in computer science for this upcoming fall (most to PhD programs, a couple to MS programs either as backup or because I feel less confident about getting in to those places as a PhD applicant). I've applied to ten schools, and so far all I've gotten word on is:

 

1: a quick acceptance (with no mention of funding) to the MS program at my in-state absolute safety school, with an invitation to come visit with potential to meet with POIs there. (Basically, I don't plan to attend this school if at all possible)

 

2: some very encouraging and promising interviews with a professor at another school (top 20, PhD program). The POI has a very exciting project that connects well with my area of interest. He is currently verbally offering a research assistant position.

 

Here's where it gets complicated: the funding for his project is coming in February, of all times -- and this means that the professor is wanting me to start as an RA early -- at the beginning of May. While there aren't any hard barriers that would prevent me from doing this, I am unsurprisingly anxious about this part, and getting everything in order to start so quickly. In our Skype interview he wanted me to think about this, and after some thought I believe that I would be up for starting early -- given that I choose to attend this particular university. My reasoning is that in any world where I attend this university, it would be because that is my top choice and it makes sense for me to go full-force into it.

 

The professor has emailed me, saying that he has concluded his interviews with other candidates for this RA position, and that I am his #1 choice, if I can make that May date and arrive early. Needless to say, one of my concerns now is that I might lose this opportunity if I am hesitant about it. If there's someone else able to do this early arrival, then that person might get this over me if I'm not willing to do this.

 

This by itself wouldn't be too much of a concern, except that the professor has also asked if I would be ready to consider a "short fuse" offer -- presuming about 1 to 2 weeks to decide. I don't know when the offer would be extended -- presumably once the funding is actually available at any point next month. A question I'm already planning to ask is when it's likely for this offer to be made.

 

My concerns are:

 

- I haven't yet had a chance to hear back from the 8 other universities I've applied to. From looking at last year's thegradcafe surveys for my prospective schools and my major, this professor's school is a few weeks earlier than most of my schools, and that I should expect a first wave of responses from most of my schools within 3-4 weeks from now. There is one school that's really high on my list (for location/personal reasons) which sometimes doesn't get back to its applicants until the middle of March. I'm hesitant to make any commitments at this point when I don't have a wide array of choices before me.

 

- I still haven't had a chance to go out and visit this particular school, which I'd want to do before accepting an offer.

 

- I had read about the CGS resolution about students being under no obligation to respond to offers of financial support before April 15. This school is one of the CGS member institutions that supported that resolution. However, I don't know if that even applies here, because the offer of support hasn't been formally made yet and would be for an RA position starting in May instead of the normal academic year. At this point, if I feel I need more time for other schools to get back to me, can this jeopardize the possibility of getting this offer?

 

This particular offer (from what we've verbally discussed) sounds like a great opportunity, with funding from the get-go, an RA position to get involved in research that's related to my field of interest. However, this early desired start is shaking things up and I feel caught between jumping into something without fully letting potential (yet unknown) opportunities slip by, and risking this opportunity for the hope of some somewhat better options that may never materialize.

 

In short, how should I respond to this professor, to -- in effect -- give myself the space and time needed to make a fully researched and rational decision without hurting my chances at this opportunity? I don't think I'd want to just say "yes" to get the offer, accept the offer and then back out -- I don't know the consequences of that but I can't imagine they'd be good, or fair to this professor.

 

At this point, all the professor is wondering is whether I am willing to start early, and if I'm ready to consider an offer with a tight deadline. Any advice on this would be really useful. Thanks!