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Advice on choosing the right PhD offer
S

Many thanks for all your advice.

Advice on choosing the right PhD offer
S

======= Date Modified 14 02 2009 13:02:08 =======
I would be grateful if u could share ur opinion. Completed masters by research frm Edinburgh Uni-have been made 7 PhD offers-3 of which I declined-4 offers to choose from-it is proving to be difficult day-day to make a decision-I will write a little bit about the offer to give u a good idea.
PhD1-Project:-good science-Initial assessment of the study is done during masters & the project will be a continuation of my masters study-have one paper accepted & another under preparation. Sup: know them for nearly 2 yrs-very supportive, accessible & strongly believe in my potential. Uni: University of Edinburgh-RAE 2008:12 position. Stipend: £12960/yr for 3 yrs-60 hrs/yr teaching regulation(unpaid)
PhD2:Project:good science -will be using cutting edge technologies. Sup:3 sups-the day of interview were very friendly-since then seems to be very busy-havnt replied to any of my emails. Uni: Queen Mary, Uni of London-RAE 2008:13 position· Stipend:£15290/yr-Graduate teaching assistantship-4 yrs funding. PhD3:Project:-applied research in an upcoming area· Sup:sup a Prof & has wealth of knowledge in the field-supervises 25 PhD students! Non accessible-but email response has been excellent· Uni: Manchester Uni-RAE 2008:7 position. Stipend:£13290/yr-4 yrs funding-no teaching regulation. PhD4:Project: -good science-travel to many countries in Asia involved (which I consider-good thing).Sup:young enthusiastic supervisor-highly knowledgeable-external examiner for my masters by research thesis-he spoke to the vice chancellor of the University to secure funding! Is keen to have me in his team·Uni:Open University-RAE 2008:43 position.Stipend:£13290/yr-3 yrs funding -no teaching regulation-(if I don’t accept the offer-scholarship will not be awarded to anyone)
How do I rank the following: Sup, project & uni. Please comment on the following questions please
1.How imp it is to do a PhD from a reputed Uni? If u have a good PhD thesis with good no of publications-does the name & reputation of the uni have a -ve impact on ur future career prospects?-Imagine I apply for a postdoc 3 yrs down the line-will my job application be given less weightage coz I have a PhD from a less respected Uni? 2.How imp is it to have a sup who is accessible? How many students can they supervise? I don’t expect a lot of supervision as I work on my own-but willing to get some support while writing a paper- expect to receive feedback on my written work. 3.Is graduate teaching assistantship a good thing? I will be teaching 25% of my time (6hrs/week-9 mnths/yr)-I know it will help me gain extensive teaching skills-but unpaid & might be difficult in the final yr
Even a single line of advice would be much appreciated & will certainly help