Deciding between four PhD offers

[nsds]

Hi everyone! I am now comparing these four PhD programs, and I think I am more interested in a career in industry than in academia.

 

Statistics at the University of Washington, Seattle

I am still on the waiting list but I have to decide in advance. There are certainly more job opportunities in Seattle and the stats program there is among the top. They also have a machine learning track, and Emily Fox.

 

Statistics at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

I am currently an undergraduate here so I know the school better and it will be easier to move. The professors here said there is not a big difference between the stats programs here and at UW Seattle, in general. They also think that machine learning here is stronger. The placement records look better than UW. Another plus is that I can also apply for a Master's degree in Computer Science here. But I guess it would be harder to find a job in Ann Arbor than in Seattle.

 

Applied Math at Brown University

I really liked the school and the city, but a doctoral degree in applied math is not as promising as one in statistics. I am not even sure if I am so interested in Scientific Computing that I can overcome this disadvantage.

 

Statistics at Cornell University

Will probably gain better connections at an Ivy school. The department is small and the qualifying exams are waived for most students. But the department is still too young with a low rank, and Ithaca is definitely even worse than Ann Arbor. Can potentially gain a Master's degree in CS (Cornell is strong in CS).

 

Thanks in advance!

 

[Vene]

Based on what you have given, here are my thoughts.

 

UW

You're still on the waiting list and until you are off the list count this as a rejection.

 

Michigan

Job opportunities in Ann Arbor don't matter, people move all the time, especially when they have higher degrees. There are major metros like Chicago and Cleveland nearby, and there's no reason you can move further away as Michigan is recognized as a good university across the country. The concern I'd have is doing your undergrad and graduate degrees in the same place, but it's not the red flag it used to be (and Michigan is a very good school, so there is reason to stay there).

 

Brown

If you're not interested in the degree they offer, then don't go there.

 

Cornell

At first, I was thinking this was the one to pick, in order to move to a different institution, but if Michigan really has a significantly better career placement, go to Michigan instead. Also, like with Ann Arbor, don't worry about what Ithaca's opportunities are, worry about if you feel comfortable living there for 5 or 6 years. Ithaca also is relatively close to New York City, if that appeals to you.

[MathCat]

Based on what you have given, here are my thoughts.

 

UW

You're still on the waiting list and until you are off the list count this as a rejection.

 

Michigan

Job opportunities in Ann Arbor don't matter, people move all the time, especially when they have higher degrees. There are major metros like Chicago and Cleveland nearby, and there's no reason you can move further away as Michigan is recognized as a good university across the country. The concern I'd have is doing your undergrad and graduate degrees in the same place, but it's not the red flag it used to be (and Michigan is a very good school, so there is reason to stay there).

 

Brown

If you're not interested in the degree they offer, then don't go there.

 

Cornell

At first, I was thinking this was the one to pick, in order to move to a different institution, but if Michigan really has a significantly better career placement, go to Michigan instead. Also, like with Ann Arbor, don't worry about what Ithaca's opportunities are, worry about if you feel comfortable living there for 5 or 6 years. Ithaca also is relatively close to New York City, if that appeals to you.

I agree with this, but I wouldn't count being "relatively close to NYC" as a benefit for Ithaca. It's not really that close at all. When I visited, students all told me they pretty much never go. I think UW sounds the best if you get in, but I don't know much about statistics programs.

[TakeruK]

Also want to add:

 

I think it's important for you to determine if you are >95% certain about industry vs. "more likely to go to industry than academia". If it's the latter, then you do want to take some steps to keep your academic options open. Otherwise, go for the best industry options!

 

If you are looking for careers outside of academia, then it doesn't matter that your undergrad and grad degrees are at the same place. So, if there are other reasons to stay in Michigan (i.e. personal ones) then that sounds like the best choice!

 

Ithaca is about a 6 hour bus ride from NYC, which is pretty far away, in my opinion. When I visited, students say they rarely go to NYC. I'd say that they would go as often as anyone else in the US would go (i.e. maybe once or twice just to see it) so the only difference is that a 6 hour bus ride is likely cheaper than a 5 hour plane ride. But if you lived elsewhere, you'd be closer to other things.

 

I think it's also important to consider how far away you live to an airport hub. If you have always lived near one, moving to a non-hub city is a major change and (in my opinion) major inconvenience. When I lived in Kingston, Ontario (2.5 hour drive from Toronto), all of my travel had an extra 6 hours tacked on because the coach bus takes a windy route to pick up everyone and they only leave at certain times which means I often have to get there 3-4 hours early or arrive just as they are boarding (and risk missing the flight). So, for that reason, it would be a big minus for Ithaca (not sure about Ann Arbor and I don't even know where Brown is!)

[Vene]

I agree with this, but I wouldn't count being "relatively close to NYC" as a benefit for Ithaca. It's not really that close at all. When I visited, students all told me they pretty much never go. I think UW sounds the best if you get in, but I don't know much about statistics programs.

I've from a region of the country where a 4 hour drive is reasonable if you decide you want to visit a city for a particular event or a day trip, so that clouds my perception a bit. I was more thinking of it for networking purposes, it's not someplace you'd decide to visit on a Friday night.

 

I think it's also important to consider how far away you live to an airport hub. If you have always lived near one, moving to a non-hub city is a major change and (in my opinion) major inconvenience. When I lived in Kingston, Ontario (2.5 hour drive from Toronto), all of my travel had an extra 6 hours tacked on because the coach bus takes a windy route to pick up everyone and they only leave at certain times which means I often have to get there 3-4 hours early or arrive just as they are boarding (and risk missing the flight). So, for that reason, it would be a big minus for Ithaca (not sure about Ann Arbor and I don't even know where Brown is!)

Ann Arbor is about hour away from Detroit.

Edited April 5, 2015 by Vene

[sleepyhead]

Sounds like Michigan is the place to be for you. I'm in a similar situation of choosing between Michigan and Cornell (having done undergrad at Michigan), and I am going to return to Ann Arbor this fall. Department strength should definitely be a priority and it sounds like Cornell is still far off from your other options. Although Cornell's campus is very pretty, there is not much going on in Ithaca and I think Ann Arbor beats it out in terms of quality of living. I would wait for UW's decision but have Michigan ready as your primary option. Let us know what you end up doing, good luck!  

[nsds]

Based on what you have given, here are my thoughts.

 

UW

You're still on the waiting list and until you are off the list count this as a rejection.

 

Michigan

Job opportunities in Ann Arbor don't matter, people move all the time, especially when they have higher degrees. There are major metros like Chicago and Cleveland nearby, and there's no reason you can move further away as Michigan is recognized as a good university across the country. The concern I'd have is doing your undergrad and graduate degrees in the same place, but it's not the red flag it used to be (and Michigan is a very good school, so there is reason to stay there).

 

Brown

If you're not interested in the degree they offer, then don't go there.

 

Cornell

At first, I was thinking this was the one to pick, in order to move to a different institution, but if Michigan really has a significantly better career placement, go to Michigan instead. Also, like with Ann Arbor, don't worry about what Ithaca's opportunities are, worry about if you feel comfortable living there for 5 or 6 years. Ithaca also is relatively close to New York City, if that appeals to you.

 

There won't be enough time for me to make a decision if I am really accepted to UW so that's why I am also considering it right now. You are definitely right about the possibility of moving away from Michigan for jobs. I really like NYC but I know it's not that close and that is not an important point.   Thanks for your comments!!

[nsds]

I agree with this, but I wouldn't count being "relatively close to NYC" as a benefit for Ithaca. It's not really that close at all. When I visited, students all told me they pretty much never go. I think UW sounds the best if you get in, but I don't know much about statistics programs.

I totally understand that! Ann Arbor is also four hours away from Chicago but I rarely go there.

 

From your username I assume you are doing math? Do you know anything about Applied Math programs?

Edited April 5, 2015 by nsds

[nsds]

Also want to add:

 

I think it's important for you to determine if you are >95% certain about industry vs. "more likely to go to industry than academia". If it's the latter, then you do want to take some steps to keep your academic options open. Otherwise, go for the best industry options!

 

If you are looking for careers outside of academia, then it doesn't matter that your undergrad and grad degrees are at the same place. So, if there are other reasons to stay in Michigan (i.e. personal ones) then that sounds like the best choice!

 

Ithaca is about a 6 hour bus ride from NYC, which is pretty far away, in my opinion. When I visited, students say they rarely go to NYC. I'd say that they would go as often as anyone else in the US would go (i.e. maybe once or twice just to see it) so the only difference is that a 6 hour bus ride is likely cheaper than a 5 hour plane ride. But if you lived elsewhere, you'd be closer to other things.

 

I think it's also important to consider how far away you live to an airport hub. If you have always lived near one, moving to a non-hub city is a major change and (in my opinion) major inconvenience. When I lived in Kingston, Ontario (2.5 hour drive from Toronto), all of my travel had an extra 6 hours tacked on because the coach bus takes a windy route to pick up everyone and they only leave at certain times which means I often have to get there 3-4 hours early or arrive just as they are boarding (and risk missing the flight). So, for that reason, it would be a big minus for Ithaca (not sure about Ann Arbor and I don't even know where Brown is!)

So do you mean that if I am looking for academia jobs I should never stay at the same school?

 

When I visited, all flights to Ithaca were cancelled, including those rescheduled for me, so I had to take a bus there 

[nsds]

Sounds like Michigan is the place to be for you. I'm in a similar situation of choosing between Michigan and Cornell (having done undergrad at Michigan), and I am going to return to Ann Arbor this fall. Department strength should definitely be a priority and it sounds like Cornell is still far off from your other options. Although Cornell's campus is very pretty, there is not much going on in Ithaca and I think Ann Arbor beats it out in terms of quality of living. I would wait for UW's decision but have Michigan ready as your primary option. Let us know what you end up doing, good luck!  

Wow! Hopefully I can see you around campus in Fall! 

[MathCat]

I totally understand that! Ann Arbor is also four hours away from Chicago but I rarely go there.

 

From your username I assume you are doing math? Do you know anything about Applied Math programs?

I'm in pure math, and don't know much of anything about applied math or stats programs, sorry.

[TakeruK]

So do you mean that if I am looking for academia jobs I should never stay at the same school?

 

I was just expanding on Vene's comment about staying in the same school. It's generally not recommended in academia, but as Vene points out, it's not as much of a big deal as it used to be. In my comment, I was pointing out that it really doesn't matter if you are not staying in academia!