<p>Hello Everyone,</p>
<p>I’m an International Applicant who got acceptance for MS Bioinformatics at UIUC and currently working as a junior faculty member at my Alma mater. My employer would fund my MS at UIUC on the condition that I secure the PhD funding immediately after MS and then work at my institute for 3 years. My seniors are also enrolled at UIUC with the sponsorship from my institute, but they’re of the view that PhD funding is quite scarce at the moment. </p>
<p>I also got accepted for euSYSBIO MS in Systems Biology program at Erasmus Mundus with a scholarship nomination at KTH Royal Institute of Technology for the first year and my preference for the second year is Aalto University, Finland. If I accept the Erasmus Mundus scholarship, would my chances for pursuing PhD increase in universities with ranking higher than UIUC?</p>
<p>Which of the two choices should I opt for since my ultimate goal is PhD? I find UIUC to be the most appealing option as in two years the funding situation might improve. However, I think an Erasmus Mundus Nomination is an honor itself. Either of the options, do not guarantee me a spot in PhD but I’m ambivalent towards both the choices. Help!</p>