Should I take the offer?

[Amy&Xin 0]

Thanks ikarus,

In terms of finding a job, the better school will definitely make my resume look better. However, it won't be essential in my case, since I have done internships in two top companies in my field. But a phd(my current program) does provide me more opportunies(some positions require a phd degree). I probably will look for a job in industry instead of academic tho.

given the bad economy---which program offers you the biggest opportunity of finding a job? In more prosperous times I would have said, do what makes you the happiest, of course with family in mind; since you are asking the forum, I presume your wife is ok with either choice. Keep in mind that there is a possibility the economy is only going to get worst and jobs will most likely be harder to find---so which of the opportunities will give you a more secure future?

And another thing---given the economy, not sure how good school rankings are. There are well qualified individual competing with the average joe.

Good luck with your decision.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

2 courses only? wth!!!

Then your options are indeed a bit more limited. Now, as for changing advisers, most universities have clear policies in place for doing so without fear of reprisal. It is unethical for a professor to hinder your graduation or prevent you from switching to a different adviser. AND there are penalties for doing so, even for full-tenured geeks - precisely because we are sadly plagued by mean selfish pr1cks like your prof.

I wish you the best of luck, really

[ikarus 1]

Thanks ikarus,

In terms of finding a job, the better school will definitely make my resume look better. However, it won't be essential in my case, since I have done internships in two top companies in my field. But a phd(my current program) does provide me more opportunies(some positions require a phd degree). I probably will look for a job in industry instead of academic tho.

given the bad economy---which program offers you the biggest opportunity of finding a job? In more prosperous times I would have said, do what makes you the happiest, of course with family in mind; since you are asking the forum, I presume your wife is ok with either choice. Keep in mind that there is a possibility the economy is only going to get worst and jobs will most likely be harder to find---so which of the opportunities will give you a more secure future?

And another thing---given the economy, not sure how good school rankings are. There are well qualified individual competing with the average joe.

Good luck with your decision.

From your other post---seriously, no matter where you go, you will find incompetent staff! What if the same happens at the new place? Nobody can guarantee that the professors/advisors are much better. And I have had a few friends doing phd in Europe and USA and they all say the same, "I only have to put up with this for so much longer, and then i can get rid of all these stupid people." Cause they all had incompetent professors, or they thought that way of them at least. So truly---what if you switch from one place to the other just to find the same? And I had friends that went to top schools too and is not like it got any better for them. They all wanted to get the hell out, even at the top institution like MIT, Harvard, Brown, etc.

[Amy&Xin 0]

Thanks very much for your inputs. I understand that. But moving also means faster graduation(sooner to make real money).

Thanks ikarus,

In terms of finding a job, the better school will definitely make my resume look better. However, it won't be essential in my case, since I have done internships in two top companies in my field. But a phd(my current program) does provide me more opportunies(some positions require a phd degree). I probably will look for a job in industry instead of academic tho.

given the bad economy---which program offers you the biggest opportunity of finding a job? In more prosperous times I would have said, do what makes you the happiest, of course with family in mind; since you are asking the forum, I presume your wife is ok with either choice. Keep in mind that there is a possibility the economy is only going to get worst and jobs will most likely be harder to find---so which of the opportunities will give you a more secure future?

And another thing---given the economy, not sure how good school rankings are. There are well qualified individual competing with the average joe.

Good luck with your decision.

From your other post---seriously, no matter where you go, you will find incompetent staff! What if the same happens at the new place? Nobody can guarantee that the professors/advisors are much better. And I have had a few friends doing phd in Europe and USA and they all say the same, "I only have to put up with this for so much longer, and then i can get rid of all these stupid people." Cause they all had incompetent professors, or they thought that way of them at least. So truly---what if you switch from one place to the other just to find the same? And I had friends that went to top schools too and is not like it got any better for them. They all wanted to get the hell out, even at the top institution like MIT, Harvard, Brown, etc.

[kcrs 0]

If it were me, i would first talk to your PhD program advisor and explain your situation. In the unfortunate case that your program advisor is also your adacemic advisor, you could speak with the dean of the school. You are surely not the only student that has run into this problem and there are likely very reasonable solutions to your current situation.

as for switching to a master program, i think it really depents on your field of study. In many instances, you would be better of with a PhD, even from a lesser university, than a Masters from a top ranked universtiy. You are already 3 years into a 4-6 year program, so you would really only cut one year off of your current studies, and have a much lesser degree in my opinion Again, much of what I'm saying here really depends on what you are studying. If you don't think that the difference in degrees is something that will impact your current situation, I urge you to call potential employeers ans ask questions about job responsibilities and salary differences between masters and PhD.

sounds like you have a lot to consider. Good luck with your process!

[elkfarmer 4]

It is a little hard for me to comment, not knowing the whole story. As I recall, the husband and wife have to be living together in a relationship , for GC, LPR, and AOS. I would want to check with Immigration and NVC, before I would gamble that away. It's a long road back after deportation.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

If it were me, i would first talk to your PhD program advisor and explain your situation. In the unfortunate case that your program advisor is also your adacemic advisor, you could speak with the dean of the school. You are surely not the only student that has run into this problem and there are likely very reasonable solutions to your current situation.

as for switching to a master program, i think it really depents on your field of study. In many instances, you would be better of with a PhD, even from a lesser university, than a Masters from a top ranked universtiy. You are already 3 years into a 4-6 year program, so you would really only cut one year off of your current studies, and have a much lesser degree in my opinion Again, much of what I'm saying here really depends on what you are studying. If you don't think that the difference in degrees is something that will impact your current situation, I urge you to call potential employeers ans ask questions about job responsibilities and salary differences between masters and PhD.

sounds like you have a lot to consider. Good luck with your process!

Absolutely. A doctorate is always much better since it implies many more hours of teaching and research than a masters could possibly provide.

[corinne from oz 0]

Dear all, I have a decision I need to make soon. I want to hear the inputs from you all.

Currently, I have an opportunity to transfer to a top1 school to continue my graduate study, which requires me to move to a different state this coming fall. However, my wife is also in school, and she can't relocate with me. The program is a year long program. I will be done by the summer of 2010. Right now, I am waiting for my AOS interview notice, EAD, and AP. I sent my package on Jan 20th, and replied a RFE on Feb 18th. My expected interview date should be sometime this summer. If I do decide to take this opportunity, and the interview date comes in after I move, I understand that will create unnecessary trouble for the interview. If the interview date comes in before I move, I think I might need to take another interview after 2 years(possibly?)

Here are some cons and pros:

Stay: cons: Extremely unhappy with my current program, won't graduate in 2 years, lower ranked school. pros: can be with my wife, better for immigration purpose, no tuition.

Move: cons: Expensive tuition, apart from my wife, create trouble for immigration. Pros: Top ranked school, graduate in a year

I want to hear what you guys think on this matter.

P.S. I am going to do an internship this summer in another state, I will probably need to fly back if the interview comes in this time period.

I can't help but add my two cents (or two pennys as they say in the US).....

You state "create trouble for immigration" - well if you ask me, the whole bloody process of immigrating to the US creates trouble in many ways irrespective of what part of the process you are at. Nothing in life is easy. Remember, the greatest rewards come from the biggest struggles and sacrifices.

With respect to pursing the study at a No. 1 school with huge costs - You should look at it from a ROI (return on investment) perspective. i.e. by spending more money to go to a better school, will this give you a higher $$$ return on your investment??? Remember, its not always the candidate that came from the best school that gets the job or opportunity.

I wish you the best of luck in whichever path you choose.

Cheers,

[childress_london 3]

If your main reason for moving is to get away from a nasty professor, then I say don't do it! You will run into these types of people everywhere you go and even in the job world. To downgrade from a PhD back to a master's is just madness unless you are changing fields for better job opportunties. It seems to me the negatives outweight the positives, especially with the immigration issue.

[Amy&Xin 0]

Thanks everyone with your help. I am in computer science field. And I will probably want to go into industry to start my career. In my field, the difference between a master and a phd is not as magnificent as in some other field. However, after hearing all your guys advice, I am leaning to stay more and more. Changing a advisor is not easy(also means change your research topic most of the time), I guess i will just need to face my mean advisor, and think of this as a way to improve my ability to deal with all kinds of people. Thank you guys again.