University of Pittsburgh PhD Vs Duke Masters

[Anna94]

University of Pittsburgh

Pros: Fully Funded, 27K stipend, PhD program.

Cons: Not a great Advisor Match yet, BME program is ranked lower than Duke.

Duke

Pros: Great BME Program, Good Advisor Interest

Cons: Unfunded Masters

 

I am really confused, can someone help me out?

 

Thanks!

[MichiganAbe]

18 hours ago, Anna94 said:

University of Pittsburgh

Pros: Fully Funded, 27K stipend, PhD program.

Cons: Not a great Advisor Match yet, BME program is ranked lower than Duke.

Duke

Pros: Great BME Program, Good Advisor Interest

Cons: Unfunded Masters

 

I am really confused, can someone help me out?

 

Thanks!

I was in the same boat as you.  I got a fully funded Materials Science PhD offer from Washington State and an unfunded Applied Masters from UW in Seattle.  Depending on your finances, I would go to the program that you would be happiest at.  Especially since you and I are both in the sciences, the opportunity for good paying employment should off-set the cost of graduate school.

Of course, I worked for four years before going to grad school so I already have some savings, but will have to take out about a $30K loan at least for the first year.  I decided Seattle was a better choice for me due to the available research (and also prestige- this does matter for those interested in academia after obtaining a degree).  I'm confident that I'll be able to find a decent job afterwards and pay down the debt quickly. 

 

It depends on where you feel you are financially.  I'm a big proponent of working after getting a Bachelor's (especially for engineers).  But if you're not considering going into the work force, then I'd actually take the funded offer so that you can stash away some savings.