<p>Here is the background: my son-in-law recently decided to pursue a career in academia and applied to PhD programs. He was accepted into five programs--all with a stipend and free tuition. He's narrowed his choices down to two. </p>
<p>First program is one that's in the top 10 in his field--the university is also ranked highly (top 30--assuming one considers the rankings important). The professor he'd work with in this program has sent emails, encouraging son-in-law to attend. Stipend--a teaching assistantship is $18K per year and it's good for five years. Free tuition as well.</p>
<p>Second program is not a top program and the university is not ranked as highly as his other option. However, son-in-law's mentor at program where SIL received an MA (last year) is now head of the department at this university (not where SIL received his MA) and is recruiting SIL enthusiastically. Stipend is $19K and SIL was awarded another special grant of $10K. (Guaranteed for 3 years.) Mentor told son-in-law that he could have a research assistantship or teaching assistantship--his choice. Also, mentor is ambitious, wants to build this department, and is working to get the best faculty and grad students for this program. He also would make son-in-law co-author on any research that they published. Son-in-law really likes the mentor and would enjoy working with him. They both have the same (very archaic) academic interest. Also, SIL is sure mentor would go to bat for him when it's time to look for a job.</p>
<p>Other considerations: my D's job would allow her to continue to work in either place. The first program has many graduate students (15-20). Second program has fewer grad students. SIL and D are going to visit the first program next week. They are already living in the area where the second program is located. Mentor took them out to dinner last week and was really selling his program. First program is in a somewhat lower cost-of-living area.</p>
<p>Looking for opinions on the two options. My H (who was an academic) says it's not a choice--SIL should go with the first program (one of the top programs in SIL's field). Other opinions?</p>
<p>It’s a given that a grad student would be a co-author. That is sort of unfair of the mentor to be offering that. It sets of an alarm bell in my mind.</p>
<p>Also odd that the PI is offering either research assistantship or teaching assistantship. The research assistantship is so much better! The teaching assistantship takes so much time away from research. And it it’s free for the PIs lab - the PI doesn’t need to use grant money to pay the student. It almost sounds like the PI is trying to dupe the prospective student. I say take the offer at the better school.</p>
<p>Hands down, the first program. Academia is tough and being part of a department that is “being built up” versus a top in his field program is not really a choice.</p>
<p>My philosophy has always been - for undergraduate, go for the school with the best reputation that’s a good fit for the applicant; for graduate, go for the program with the best reputation regardless of the school. The first school should be the first choice.</p>
<p>If this was an undergrad decision, I can see going for the school that felt better. But for grad school, it really makes sense to go to the place that is most respected. A good recommendation from a well-known prof from highly respected department is probably worth a lot more in the academic job market than an enthusiastic recommendation from a less well-known prof if a less well-known department.</p>
<p>You might get more responses if you gave the thread a more descriptive title.</p>
<p>First program–top 10, free tuition, stipend, encouraging prof that he doesn’t know, TA
Second–not top, free tuition, stipend, mentor he knows, TA or research,10K grant</p>
<p>Looks like it comes down to top 10 vs research position if he wants it. He might like prof at first position even better, who knows? So that’s a wash. If they like the lower cost of living area that could make a big difference in their pocket books so 10K grant could be a wash too in some ways.<br>
Overall, I’d go with first position at the top 10 as an outsider. I’m sure your H knows how important that is or he wouldn’t say there is no choice to make.</p>
<p>I’m inclined to agree with others…first option is the best. Perhaps D and SIL would have to move further away from you with the first option, and that may be your hesitation.</p>
<p>I’d go with option 1 too. Better for SIL to work with someone new and diversify his academic relationships. Plus mentor sounds very ambitious. Plans to build faculty/grad students can easily go awry. What happens if/when mentor jumps ship?</p>
<p>Thanks for all your opinions. Adding a little info: son-in-law is in the social sciences; so, he won’t be doing lab research. Questions on where graduates of each program end up after graduation–that’s something SIL will have to find out. Ultimately it’s SIL’s decision and what his inlaws think isn’t the guiding factor. My D is fine living in either place. They’re going to visit Program 1 in the next two weeks, so they’ll have a better sense of the area and the department.</p>