PhD under Prof vs PhD under his ex-student (now Prof)

[matrix]

Hi,

 

This was a question I had for a long time:

 

If a student is accepted to the following 2 programs:

1. PhD under a Professor X in a field Y in univ Z

2. PhD under a Professor A who was a student of X and does his research in field Y in univ B

 

Which one should he/she choose assuming rank of univ B > Z.

Since the field is the same, both programs are a good fit.

 

Would your answer change if:

 

a) the other program offered funding and the one you chose first did not?

 

if the student were applying for MS instead of PhD?

 

c) if the univ rankings were reversed?

 

d) if there were more professors doing related research in univ Z as compared to B?

 

Thanks!

[bsharpe269]

I think this really depends on what you are looking for in a mentor. For example, you say one shcool is better than the other but by how much.. are they close in rank? Also, which professor is publishing in better journals? the older one probably has more students and funding... if so do you like a more hands off or on professor? Do you like working in larger or smaller groups?

 

Yes, funding should definitely play a very large role.

[beccamayworth]

If Professor X is really Professor X, I say go with that one. Mutant school is where it's at. 

 

But all kidding aside,

 

I think bsharpe made really good points. I would add this one: who do you like more? Have you met both in person? You're going to work with this person for five years... better make sure you get along.

[iphi]

Keep in mind that the older one may retire soon, or simply be too busy to mentor you.

[dat_nerd]

Does "Professor A" have tenure yet? If not, when will he/she be applying for tenure?

[juilletmercredi]

If Professor X is really Professor X, I say go with that one. Mutant school is where it's at.

 

The potential awesomeness of working with Professor X cannot be denied.  However, I think it would be at least a little nerve-racking to be mentored by a telepath, lmao.  Could you imagine?

 

There's no hard and fast rule.  Rankings aren't the most important thing here (unless we're talking about an unranked or low-ranked program vs. a top program); what's important is fit.  If they are both doing the same research (which is unlikely - they are probably doing similar work, but not exactly the same), pick the one with which you click the most.  Personality fit is just as important as research fit.  Also consider their relative positions in the field.  Well-connected senior mentors can do things for you that relatively new, although brilliant, junior faculty members cannot.

A) Yes.  Follow the money.
No. Shouldn't be different.
C) Again, doesn't matter unless one school is unranked or has a bad reputation.
D) This does matter.  If Professor A is the only one at University B, what will you do if he dies, leaves, quits, or changes fields significantly, or hates you?  This is especially important if Professor A is untenured.  You need other people who could potentially mentor you.  If University A has several scholars in the same-ish field that means that if you accidentally insult Professor X's cat and he hates you, Prof Y or Z may be able to take you on instead.  Also consider that schools with several scholars in a particular area may have more resources in that area.

I got lucky and am currently working with Professor X and Professor A at the same university, lol.  (Seriously, one of my advisers was on my other adviser's dissertation committee.)