Iowa State University or University of Central Florida for mechanical engineering

Graduate School
1

Hi there,

I applied to several schools for mechanical engineering PhD programs.
I got accepted at University of central Florida. They offered me an RA postion (20 hours a week) which pays 16,000 dollars annual stipend and covers the tuition and health insurance. But that is also including the summer. This basically means that they will be paying me 1333 dollars a month. I also got acceptance at Iowa State University which offered me a TA position and covers tuition, and health insurance and pays 1950 dollars a month. I know that Iowa State is ranked better than UCF for engineering. But it is also in the middle of nowhere whereas UCF is in Orlando (which is a fun city). Any recommendations?? Also which is easier to do, TAing or RAing?? I heard that with TAing I would still have to work with professors toward my thesis, but would that not be until after two years since I do not have a master’s degree yet? Or is it that if I work as a TA I will still work as an RA for my thesis (which would kill my whole time)? I am not sure about this part because I do not have a master’s degree yet and I am also thinking that I will be focusing on academics and the TA position until I finish the master’s and start the PhD, thats when I should be working with a professor on a research project. I would appreciate it if someone can explain this TA, RA whole thing to me. I care about having fun, and I do not know if there is anything I could do at Ames (where Iowa State is). I know in Orlando it is very nice, the weather is awesome, and the nightlife is great. In Ames, I do not think it is even close to how life is in Orlando, right? Also people in Ames are very nice I heard, which is a plus point. I also got accepted at UIUC but without funding. I need to talk to professors for RA positions. I am still waiting for UC Irvine, and Texas A&M, but these two later schools are very competitive and havent gotten back to me yet, so I do not know if I am already rejected and they havenot told me that yet, or if I should wait. I have to get back to ISU and UCF by April 15th, so I do not have too much time. I feel that It is very very hard to make a decision, and I hope someone of you can give me any advice

Thank you very much in advance and happy easter,

2

The 12 month stipend is $16,000? That is very low unless the cost of living in Orlando is so low that you actually can make it work. Is the ISU stipend for 12 months or just for the academic year? If the latter, then you can probably expect to find some work in a research group in the summer. Even if it were for only 9 months the overall stipend is higher than for UCF and I don’t think the cost of living is that much higher in Ames.

The most important thing in your decision should be where they do the research that is most interesting to you. That is the ultimate goal and so that needs to be your main focus.

In general, you do not have to get a Masters to do the Ph.D. so unless the program requires it, don’t think you have to spend 2 years and write a thesis before being able to get on with your Ph.D. research. It sounds like the ISU program is expecting you to do your coursework while you are a TA and then once you pass all the classes and exams to be able to move on to the Ph.D. you will probably be supported as an RA by your research advisor.

You certainly are correct to think about the life outside academics but keep in mind that you will only be there for 5 years or so and if the research and other aspects are a better match for you at ISU then that might be the place to go and put up with living in Ames.

3

Thank you for the reply xraymancs. Yes the stipend is 16000 dollars a year including summer (12 month). iSU offered a TA position for four months, but then I should re apply for taing or raing. I want to definitely consider internships during the summer, but not in iowa. Also if I go to ISU, would it be p

4

Also if I go to ISU, would it be possible find internship in different states in the south or in california? I am not sure how nationally well-known the engineering program at isu is? J

5

Once you are doing research foryour Ph.D. internships are really not a good idea. In fact, it is usually not something Ph.D. students do. You are there for research and you need to focus on that aspect of your program.