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,
How the TA vs. RA issue is handled can vary from school to school, department to department, and even professor to professor. Generally, though, if you are starting a PhD without a MS, you will likely spend the first year or two focusing on academics and learning the ropes doing research if you are solely an RA. If you are a TA, you’ll spend a lot of that time you would otherwise be in the lab doing TA work instead. If you have already chosen an advisor, you may also spend time in the lab even as a TA. Also, even though it says 20 hours, don’t expect you’ll only spend 20 hours a week on either of these positions. They just say that so that they don’t have to count you as a full-time employee of the university.
As for which is easier, there’s not a really good answer there. The RA position will likely be “easy” at first just because you’ll be learning all the basics of research and really won’t be good enough to start tackling the truly difficult stuff yet. How difficult a TA position is depends on the expectations of the instructor running the course. Sometimes you are just grading and it just gets a bit tedious and time-consuming but is easy. Other times you are doing that plus lecturing in a discussion section (or the actual lecture) which can be tough since you really need to know the material really well to do a good job.
As for which school to choose, you really ought to take yor preferred research into account. Which school has the research topic(s) you wish to study? Which has faculty that are best-aligned with your interests? That’s the most important factor here.
Regarding the other schools, you only have like 10 days left to decide. I’d try and call those last two schools and politely ask if there is any way to find out their decision since you have to respond to the other schools but you would really like to consider their program as well. They may be able to tell you when decisions will come out or where you stand. It certainly can’t hurt.
both schools told me that they will be giving out decisions until the end of April. What are the consequences of accepting a school’s offer and eventually attending another school?
I know this would not be nice at all, and Iowa State is a very good engineering school, but I am just curious!
By the way, thank you for your time Mr. Boneh3ad
The consequences would be that you would potentially lose any money you already sent their way. I’m sure some at the scorned school would not be happy, but that’s probably very minor in most cases (unless you have one specific professor you’ve been speaking with who is excited to bring you into his group.Bbut ultimately, you have to make the right decision for you.
The ones you have not heard from yet are waiting until April 15 to see how many of the offers they have made have been accepted. Then they will potentially make you an offer if there are openings left. You should choose one by April 15 and then you can certainly tell them you will not come after all if you get a better opportunity.
Ames is VERY different than Orlando.
It gets cold (very cold) in the winter, with lovely spring and summer weather.
The people are very friendly.
It is a college town, but provides most stores and other places you want or need. If Ames doesn’t, Des Moines is only a hop, skip and jump away.
Good luck on your desicion!
Orlando has nice weather. Be prepared to sweat a good 8 months out of the year. Not much about the weather to complain. The city has lots to offer. While the people aren’t very nice, they’re not overtly mean either.
Beaches are about an hour and a half away and plenty of parks and hiking areas nearby.
As someone who lives in Ames, it’s more of a cultural hub than you would think. Des Moines is a half hour away. There is a huge sense of community in Ames and they take pride in having a nice town. There are concerts, farmers markets, carnivals, etc in Des Moines. HOWEVER the weather isn’t great at all. The price of living is really low. And the university is spectacular. They really sink a lot of money into their engineering. What decision have you made???
Thank you everyone for the informative comments. Biochemgirl67 I decided on isu, doing mechanical eng and writing my thesis on biofuels!