CS PHD, UCSC vs Emory

Graduate School
1

Hi Guys,

I was offered by both UCSC and Emory. And I’m struggling to choose one of them before 15th April. May I have your advice on this?

UCSC:
Good location. Stipend :about $2300/m * 9 . I’m interested in the projects for now. But the advisor assigned to me is not very famous. Living expense there looks like very high (I will bring my wife with me).

Emory:
Location is okay. Stipend: about $2300/m * 12 . Advisor is not assigned yet. I can choose the projects I’m going to work after two years. Living expense is okay. But Emory is not very famous for its CS.

Thanks so much for your advice.

2

I wouldn’t go for “famous” when looking at PhD programs and advisors (though you may be using that term generically.) The reputation of the program and fit are more important. Which program is doing more research related to your interests? Does the advisor at UCSC seem like a good mentor and doing research you want to do? What are the potential advisors like at Emory?

3

Thank you so much! Advisor at UCSC is doing research which I’m interested in. And Emory has some professors I’m interested as well. Emory offers students opportunities to do project rotation first before choosing an advisor. So I’m fine with both Universities from the perspective of advisor. Things below concern me:
1.Take internships is not very convenient if I study in Emory.
2. Living expense in Santa Cruz is much higher I have my wife to support.
3. Emory is a decent one, but the reputation of CS program in UCSC is better.

May I know your opinion on this?

4

Thank you so much! Advisor at UCSC is doing research which I’m interested in. And Emory has some professors I’m interested as well. Emory offers students opportunities to do project rotation first before choosing an advisor. So I’m fine with both Universities from the perspective of advisor. Things below concern me:
1.Take internships is not very convenient if I study in Emory.
2. Living expense in Santa Cruz is much higher I have my wife to support.
3. Emory is a decent one, but the reputation of CS program in UCSC is better.

May I know your opinion on this

5

It sounds like these are personal decisions you have to make about priorities. How important is an internship to you? How much do you think you could stretch your budget to support 2 people on it? (Could your wife also find work?) From your comments, it seems like you’d prefer UCSC a bit more, which is totally acceptable if you can make the money work.

6

Thanks Nano! Let me think it over. Appreciate your advice and time!