University Advice

[bluejay123]

Hi everyone,

 

First of all congrats to everyone on their upcoming PhDs and good luck to anyone still deciding what to do next! Sorry for adding to the spam but I just wondered if anyone could offer any opinions on where to start my graduate studies. I am very lucky to have been offered two PhDs in the UK, one with the University of Edinburgh and one with the University of Cambridge. Both are within affiliated institutes (molecular medicine and cancer research respectively) and both have great research projects (no teaching or taught lessons in the UK I'm afraid) so I'm basically torn as to which to choose. I've been to visit both cities and have pros and cons for both, and I realise that I should be so grateful to be in this position but can't figure out which would be better in the long term. I know that ultimately the decision is mine, and I might have to go by gut feeling, but it would be great if anyone had any opinions to share? I would like to do a post-doc or possibly industry in the US, which is where I would like to end up in the long run, so is one university easier to open doors than the other? Would they both be about the same? Anyone had any experience in either camp, either academically or socially? It would be fantastic to get a US outlook on the universities!

 

Thanks so much everyone and sorry again for the rambly post!!

[Jay's Brain]

Congratulations on receiving offers from such prestigious universities in the UK! That is an amazing achievement.

 

To answer your questions, I think ultimately the best way to do so is decide based on fit in terms of your comfortability of living in those particular areas for the foreseeable future and which research project is of more interest to you. If you're looking into going to the US after your doctorate, consider the people you will be working with and how they can influence your chances of getting there after your degree. Look at the prospects of graduates from these two programs, and where they end up afterwards. Most universities like to boast about their successful alums so getting that information shouldn't be too difficult. 

 

Good luck!

[bluejay123]

Thank you so much for your thoughtful advice! I made the decision in the end and decided on Edinburgh Overall the research was far more interesting once I dug a little deeper, and I think I'd enjoy living in the city far more but it was such a difficult decision. I really hope I don't keep looking back and wondering if I made the right choice... wouldn't it be amazing If we could switch off the little voice at the back of our heads wondering 'what if'? Anyhow I really appreciate your help and just wanted to say thanks!