I don't know what university I should attend...

[Shax]

Hello everyone,

Recently, I was accepted into a MSc program at a highly regarded university in my country (let's call it University A). However, I don't have an adviser: all of the interesting ones are already taken, and the lines of research of the remaining ones don't excite me one iota.

Former students told me that 95% of the advisers are big jerks; they might be great in their areas of expertise, but they don't know how to treat people. I'm from a different state, so I don't personally know any of them yet.

I'm thinking of applying for another university because I heard great things about some advisors I actually wanna work with (University B). It's a less prestigious university, but sometimes I think it will be better for me. Even so there's a problem, I have to pass in their written knowledge test to get in. I studied a lot for the University A test (5 months) and I'm completely exhausted right now. I don't know if I could study for more months to be competitive for University B.

I already got funding for 2 years in University A, and there's a possibility I get none from University B. Being accepted by University A is a dream coming true, but a sociopath advisor can make my time there a living hell. University B is smaller but it is also amazing, and I would get a valuable education there anyway. 

I don't know what to do...

Edited December 13, 2015 by Shax

[GradSchoolTruther]

On December 13, 2015 at 10:16 PM, Shax said:

Hello everyone,

Recently, I was accepted into a MSc program at a highly regarded university in my country (let's call it University A). However, I don't have an adviser: all of the interesting ones are already taken, and the lines of research of the remaining ones don't excite me one iota.

Former students told me that 95% of the advisers are big jerks; they might be great in their areas of expertise, but they don't know how to treat people. I'm from a different state, so I don't personally know any of them yet.

I'm thinking of applying for another university because I heard great things about some advisors I actually wanna work with (University B). It's a less prestigious university, but sometimes I think it will be better for me. Even so there's a problem, I have to pass in their written knowledge test to get in. I studied a lot for the University A test (5 months) and I'm completely exhausted right now. I don't know if I could study for more months to be competitive for University B.

I already got funding for 2 years in University A, and there's a possibility I get none from University B. Being accepted by University A is a dream coming true, but a sociopath advisor can make my time there a living hell. University B is smaller but it is also amazing, and I would get a valuable education there anyway. 

I don't know what to do...

Welcome to academia!

[Shax]

UPDATE

I got in! I was accepted at University B! I talked to a professor and he invited me to work with him! His research interests me A LOT. However...

- He's relatively new as a Principal Investigator.
- I got no initial funding, so I would have to cover my expenses for three months by my own pocket.
- Easier (and cheaper) to go home if I need to.

While

- University A is considered the best university of Latin America.
- Fully funded.
- My advisor would be a established and well-respected professor with lots of research grants. But his research is not as exciting as professor's B to me.
- I won't have enough money to go home if I need to (2 years far away from my family).

Is the University's prestige really that important? I don't know how to choose what is best for me.

[Feanor]

There are many things to consider.

Do you intend to do a PhD at a competitive school? Is there a significant difference in ranking between A and B? Would you be able to pay for the three months at B? Would you be able to stay away from your family for a long time (albeit that's unlikely)? Have you spoken to all the revelant people in A and B to be sure you've exhausted all the possibilities of supervisors? Have you visited both places?

Those are valid concerns and you should address them, but you really should answer these questions first. It is still an MSc and you might want to be a little flexible regarding what you do at this stage, and having it at a prestigious institution with good results can help you in future PhD applications if that's the case. However, 2 years is a long time to be at a place you loathe, so I'd recommend you talk to current students in both places, visit them and explore your options. Make sure you could see yourself there for a couple of years.

[pterosaur]

At University B, would you be guaranteed funding after those first 3 months? I would be very cautious about accepting a spot where you might end up with no funding, when you also have a fully funded offer on the table.

[Shax]

On 13/02/2016 at 7:13 AM, Feanor said:

There are many things to consider.

Do you intend to do a PhD at a competitive school? Is there a significant difference in ranking between A and B? Would you be able to pay for the three months at B? Would you be able to stay away from your family for a long time (albeit that's unlikely)? Have you spoken to all the revelant people in A and B to be sure you've exhausted all the possibilities of supervisors? Have you visited both places?

Those are valid concerns and you should address them, but you really should answer these questions first. It is still an MSc and you might want to be a little flexible regarding what you do at this stage, and having it at a prestigious institution with good results can help you in future PhD applications if that's the case. However, 2 years is a long time to be at a place you loathe, so I'd recommend you talk to current students in both places, visit them and explore your options. Make sure you could see yourself there for a couple of years.

1) Yes

2) Not so much. A is at the top and B is the 6th.

3) Yes.

4) I don't know.

5) Yes for A and I'm not so sure about B.

6) I have just visited B. I could definitely live there for two years.

Edited February 18, 2016 by Shax
plus information

[Shax]

On 2/15/2016 at 2:27 PM, pterosaur said:

At University B, would you be guaranteed funding after those first 3 months? I would be very cautious about accepting a spot where you might end up with no funding, when you also have a fully funded offer on the table.

They promised to me. I hope they will fulfill that promise. I hope so.