Choosing between 5 (Actually 2) (PhD in EE)

[noidea]

Hello, I applied to phd program in electrical engineering (mostly in integrated circuits&VLSI areas) and I have some offers. I only have a bachelors degree, this will be a direct phd.

 

1) University of Washington (Seattle), EE -no funding arrived yet.

2) University of Maryland (College Park, Clark School of Eng, ECE)- 1-yr fellowship. (must be TA for a year)

3) Boston University (ECE) - 1 yr fellowship (no assistantship is required)

4)University of Pittsburgh (EE)-funding with assistantship

5)George Washington University (ECE, remote sensing) -funding with assistantship.

 

I decreased the options in my mind into 2, because the funding issue is not clear with Seattle (and does not seem to be also), GWU is not really my research area of interest, my background includes circuits mostly ( I applied there because the acceptance was very likely because of a recommendation from there). I believe the professor from Pittsburgh believed that I would accept better offers and he reminded me the other students who have been waiting desperately for Pitt.

 

So I decreased them to 2: Boston and Maryland.

I have never been to both, but I lived in the US last year for 6 months, so I have some idea.

 

Boston seems to be a great city to live, but UMD is really beyond my expectation.

 

Both are on integrated circuits mostly. Professor from Boston showed concern for me very much. I believe that he may fund my studies as long as I have a satisfactory academic progress. UMD is a little different, they assign an academic advisor for the first year and I must find my own research advisor during the first year, plus showing academical success.

 

Could you help me make a list of pros-cons on both? (in terms of city, people, expensive/cheap, sociality, academics, opportunities, relationship with industry, department, etc.)

 

If I choose UMD, my biggest concern is the city. I live in a 15-million population city and College Park is a way small city. I am used to the idea that I will go to a small place,but I don't want to make a wrong decision. 

 

[bsharpe269]

College park is right next to DC. I definitely wouldn't worry about it being too small.

They both sound like great options. In your shoes, I might lean towards the school where I had a great connection with the PI since they are both very good programs. It's a hard decision though and I don't think you could go wrong with either

[noidea]

Thanks!