Suggestions on Deferring or Reapplying

[compscian]

Hello everyone, I would really like a few comments and opinions from you all. Especially from those who have been or in a similar situation.

The scenario is this: I applied to 6 programs, mostly in PhD apart from one in MS, in Engineering (mech, aero) and computational science. My interests are primarily CFD and controls. A couple of these programs are real reaches and I never expected to get into them anyway. But surprisingly, I was not able to get into a few programs for which I thought I was a good fit and were gettable. I was lucky to get two offers - my 5th and 6th choice schools, both funded PhD with RA.

My dilema: Should I accept the offer from my 5th choice school or should I apply again next year.

The school under question (UIUC) is quite highly reputed, but considering my long term goal of being a Professor, I am not sure if the university is good enough to get me a teaching position in top 10-15 schools. In hindsight, I feel I could have applied to a few more programs, which had I got, would have been happier than an offer from UIUC (primary reason being location).

My superviser from undergrad college (reasonably reputed, top 25 school) is willing to give me a project assistant position for a year. Should I apply again next year? Will doing PA work for a year improve my credentials and increase my chances for getting accepted into top schools (MIT, UCB, Stan, Mich, Princeton)? Would it be possible/ethical to try and defer the offer from UIUC for a year, and apply to more schools. I worry that if I decline UIUC's offer and apply again to them next year, they may not accept me and I could end up in a scenario without any offers.

Any comments and suggestions from you will be useful. Thanks.

[Argon]

UIUC is usually regarded as an incredibly respected institution for engineering (and science). I personally know many faculty in my field that did their PhD at UIUC, and they have one of the highest number of alumni + faculty in the National Academy of Engineering. UIUC is an absolutely respected university for graduate study with top-notch research. I honestly don't think you'd be doing yourself a disservice by attending with regards to job prospects. 

 

However, if you're not happy with UIUC then that's a different story. At least attend the visiting weekend if you feel you're on the fence. Everything you need is pretty much in the town of Champaign-Urbana, so it's not like you're in a barren wasteland (and Chicago is ~ 2 hours driving). It's not a big city though and maybe isn't for you. 

Edited March 1, 2015 by Argon

[compscian]

UIUC is usually regarded as an incredibly respected institution for engineering (and science). I personally know many faculty in my field that did their PhD at UIUC, and they have one of the highest number of alumni + faculty in the National Academy of Engineering. UIUC is an absolutely respected university for graduate study with top-notch research. I honestly don't think you'd be doing yourself a disservice by attending with regards to job prospects. 

 

However, if you're not happy with UIUC then that's a different story. At least attend the visiting weekend if you feel you're on the fence. Everything you need is pretty much in the town of Champaign-Urbana, so it's not like you're in a barren wasteland (and Chicago is ~ 2 hours driving). It's not a big city though and maybe isn't for you. 

 

Argon, thank you for your inputs. I also recently recieved an unfunded MS offer from Stanford. So I am considering one of the three options: take Stan, take UIUC, defer Stan.

 

My ultimate goal is a PhD, hence an unfunded MS offer is not so appealing. I might get to continue at Stanford, but it may also be possible that I have to apply again to other school which is definitely sub-optimal. However, I feel much more comfortable with Stanford than UIUC (both research and location). A third option would be to defer the offer from Stan (I assume it would not be an issue since its unfunded anyway) and work as RA at my undergrad school for a year. Hopefully this will increase my chances of getting funding at Stanford, and also continuing on for a PhD. Additionally, I can also apply to a few other PhD programs (MIT, UCB, Princeton) and try my luck there too. Can you share your thoughts?