I know there are many factors that go into choosing which grad school to attend. I currently got accepted to two PhD programs for Applied Math: Stony Brook (top 25) and UCONN (top 100), with about the same amount of function (Stony Brook gave a little bit more money but UCONN guaranteed funding for five years - In Stony Brook’s email I was told “Future years funding is contingent upon your academic progress and the availability of departmental funding.” ). I am trying to start make a decision on which one to attend. I love both schools, but I live in CT and so attending UCONN would obviously be “easier.” My ultimate goal is to pursue a career in academia. I really enjoy teaching so getting a job at an awesome research university is not important, but I would like to be at a decent university. I guess my question is, in general, does going to the better school provide greater opportunities in the future? In other words, does attending a significantly better ranked school really have that much of an impact on your career? Thank you!
Yes it does. Look at top 20-50 schools, the professors there probably got Ph.D.'s from Harvard, MIT, Princeton, etc. Then look at top 50-100 schools: those professors probably got Ph.D.'s from Penn, Ohio State, etc.
Who cares about in-state for funded Ph.D.? Stony Brook isn’t that far.
That makes sense. I guess my biggest concern is that Stony Brook only guaranteed funding the first year. Does this usually mean that as long as you perform well academically you will continue to get funded?
Without seeing the letter or knowing the department, I can’t say. Usually programs make you fill out a form at the end of each year where you say you intend to continue and apply for funding for the next year. As long as you’re making reasonable progress and have decent grades and aren’t a horrible TA, there’s usually not much to worry about.
But don’t take my word for it, do some more research.
Okay I’ll have to try looking more into it. The letter said “Future years funding is contingent upon your academic progress and the availability of departmental funding.” Is it rude to actually just email the department/graduate office on what exactly this means? I’ve tried looking all over their website and I can’t seem to find much information. I appreciate all your help by the way.
Well first of all, you need to maintain a 3.0 GPA or you go on probation, which means no TAship, which means no funding. I find it hard to believe UConn would guarantee you 5 years of funding without any conditions. Unless there are serious issues with funding at the department, I wouldn’t worry too much about that. But it may be very competitive to get TA/RA assignments for the summer, and you may need to find some sort of summer job (though that can be tough if you need to take a class in the summer, or study for quals).
It’s not rude, but before emailing them, I would look for the department graduate handbook. That would likely answer most of your questions.
Okay I will take a look. Thank you! I figured summer TA jobs would be hard. Luckily, I’m a church organist and so I hope to continue that during grad school as it is only a few hours of work a week but makes fairly good money. It it mainly the funding for the academic year that I am worried about.
I would imagine that math or applied math TAs will be in demand at either U. Are you a native English speaker ? Even more in demand.
Please take a look at each school’s Phd completion rate. The immediate funding offer does not tell much.
http://www41.homepage.villanova.edu/klaus.volpert/PhDStudy/PhD_Study.htm
Except there are TONS of people who apply every year. If funding is an issue, they could just admit new people every couple years to keep stipends down a bit (your stipend usually increases after passing quals, generals, etc.). It’s not like the demand is THAT great that they’re desperate.
I am a native English speaker. And thank you for that link. It was very interesting to look at the numbers. Stony Brook was fairly high, so that is a good sign.
Stipend doesn’t always increase after passing quals. It depends on the program.
At most programs your funding is contingent upon your academic progress and the availability of funding. Even if you chose UConn, where the funding is ‘guaranteed’ for 5 years, if you don’t maintain a B or higher in every class they can kick you out or yank your funding. And obviously if the program loses money or significant grant funds and needs to make cuts to current students’ funding, they can. These things are somewhat unlikely to happen especially at a top program, but Stony Brook is just being extra cautious about warning you up front.
What you should do is call the graduate secretary and ask her/him how often students are fully funded by the department for the X years it takes them to finish. No, this is not rude - this is smart. Most likely she’ll tell you that students are funded for years 2-5+ as a matter of course unless they really go off track.
And yes, program reputation matters a lot. There’s a big difference between a top 25 school and a top 100 school in academic hiring.
I didn’t say always. I was disputing that there’s such a demand for Math TAs that it’s an employee’s market and not an employer’s market. Heck, at many schools, they’ll hire super cheap undergraduate labor for $400-500/semester.
Some schools also have other assignments (like grading for upper level or graduate classes) that are only open to more advanced grad students.
Very great advice! I will make sure to email the secretary then in a few days. I recently found on Stony Brook’s website it states that most students move into an Research Assistantship in their second year so I’m assuming thats a good sign.
Also, I figured there was quite a large different between a top 25 and top 100 school. Makes sense how you would have more opportunities coming from the top 25 school.
So I emailed the graduate director to find out what exactly that statement in the acceptance letter meant and if “successful” students usually continue to get funding. I was directed to the “Joining a Research Group” section of their website here: http://www.ams.sunys…e/phdrequ.shtml. From what I understand, as long as you are academically succeeding and join a research group (get an advisor) within the first year, most students get funding through an RAship. However, the wording of the section seems confusing and not very straight to the point. Does anyone have any knowledge of a similar situation such as this and if I am understanding this right as far as future funding goes?
Thank you very much!
You really should reach out to current students and see how their funding situation is.
No, this isn’t rude. It’s smart. This is several years of your life and you deserve to know what you’re getting into.
You really should reach out to current students and see how their funding situation is.
No, this isn’t rude. It’s smart. This is several years of your life and you deserve to know what you’re getting into.
Is there a way you typically get in touch with current students? I have actually tried searching on their website sas I thought it would be a good idea as well to get in contact with someone. However, Stony Brook’s website only lists the names of current students and no contact information. I really appreciate your help!
http://www.math.stonybrook.edu/phd-student-directory
I see their emails. Even if you didn’t have their emails, you could cross-check calculus course pages with TA info with these names and find them. Try the wayback machine to determine which students are in which year.
Oh wow, one of those students was actually a TA for an undergrad class I took about 5 years ago.