Hello everyone,

Recently, I was accepted into a MSc program at a highly regarded university in my country (let's call it University A). However, I don't have an adviser: all of the interesting ones are already taken, and the research topics of the remaining ones don't excite me one iota.

So I applied for another university because I heard great things about some advisors I actually wanna work with (University B). It's a less prestigious university, but sometimes I think it will be better for me. I was also accepted there and a professor invited me to work with him. His research interests me A LOT, however:

- He's relatively new as a Principal Investigator.
- I got no initial funding, so I would have to cover my expenses for three months by my own pocket.
- Easier (and cheaper) to go home if I need to.

While

- University A is considered the best university of Latin America.
- Fully funded.
- My advisor would be a established and well-respected professor with lots of research grants. But his research is not as exciting as professor's B to me.
- I won't have enough money to go home if I need to (2 years far away from my family).

Is the University's prestige really that important? I don't know how to choose what is best for me.

Hello! It just sounds like a decision you have to weigh up and make yourself. I personally would go for the more prestigious one because that is important to me, visiting home doesn't matter much to me, funding is really important to me, and I am sure I would develop an interest in the project as time went on (unless it was REALLY different from my interests). So - what are the more important things to you? If you think about that it might help you make your choice.
Good luck in making your decision.