Many thanks. The problem is that "I do not really know what I want". I came from my country for Phd but all I got is confusion whether to stay here or go to the US. All my friends there in US tell me a story of different system there. All of them have got research project with well-defined question; and funding TA as well.Please help me what should I do as I am very very confused. Going to US involves money. and I am not sure with MS how much time it will take.

As no one knows exactly how much time after MS. But theya re sure that US univrsities are more research-oriented and have many projects from NASA,NSF etc.And cost of living is less. PLEASE help me as I have lost decision power on this issue.....not all students here are facing same thing.

that's a step forward. at least you know that it's an Astronomy research project that you are interested in. Why not check out the University of Leicester. they have a good Astronomy department. and you know about Beagle 2, the mars shuttle, it was released by the scientist from that uni. so why don't you check that out then we can chat about it. www.le.ac.uk. that's the unis website. correct me if am wrong on your interests :)

No. I am in Engineering, not astronomy. Please see, it is serious.....Is US better option when we consider (time. quality and standard of life, cost of living) .....

Hi Dina, I may be confused but I think your situation is that you are trying to decide whether to pursue a PhD in the UK or the USA? Have you actually tried applying for studentships in either country yet? Surely the best way to decide is to first investigate what projects are on offer and what funding may be available for you? If you are then in the fortunate position of having choices between UK and USA, then that is the time to weight up the relative merits of each situation. Apologies if I have misinterpreted your situation.

Having re-read your post, it seems that you are currently a PhD student in the UK? If so, I would urge you to think very carefully about quitting in the hope that a move to the USA will be somehow better. It may be, but the 'grass is not always greener...'. Quitting a PhD (for no good reason) is not good for your CV, and having quit one PhD, many supervisors would be hesitant to give you another chance.

yap, couldn't be said in a better way, quiting is no good...PhDs don't come easy, even in the USA you should be expected to do some independent thinking which may be equivalent to filling in gaps. supervisors don't like students who are too dependent on them either such that they can't work on their own. i suggest you find out exactly what it is you wanna do and like Ann said, cross bridges when you reach them, so when you've got offers..make the decision then.

Dina if u r not quitting and u just want to know where to apply, well, apply in both as u seem very confident u have the choice but maybe is not that easy and u ll find the destiny will choose 4 u