Hello,

I am facing the tough decision of choosing between two PhD programs in Computer Science, one in Europe and one in the USA. Both offer me complete funding. I can start the one in Europe basically any time from October 1st to January 1st, but the USA program is to start in Fall 2013. I already have a 3 year Computer Science Master degree. Here I write some things I think about the two programs to help me make a decision.

- PhD in Europe it is supposed to last 3 years vs. 5 years in the USA. It is because the european program requires a 3 years research Master degree, and it is absolutely focused on research, while the USA program does not require the Master degree and I will have to take some courses (which probably I do not really need).

-The research team in the USA university is stronger than in the european one.

-I think than in the USA I will have more and better career prospect after the PhD than in Europe. Also, people perceive Computer Science in the USA always more prestigious.

-The european city where I would living in is much, much more better than the USA city. I know I would be far more comfortable and happier in Europe, but I also think that I should not consider this point when evaluating my academic or professional future.


As I mention earlier, for the USA program I would have to wait almost a year to start and approximately wait until may to finish the enrolling formalities of the university, and I would still have to take the TOEFL and GRE exams. For Europe, everything is ready.

If I choose USA now and reject Europe, I am not sure what I am going to do this whole year. Also, I am very poor and live in a very politically unstable and very dangerous city of a third world country. I have already been victim of criminals several times , I am poor, universities here have no funding, it is a pain in the ass to go to work, to the university, therefore , losing both PhD funding is NOT an option. There is a small possibility that that could happen if I choose USA over Europe at this moment. As I told you, I would still have to pass through some formalities to enroll to the USA university and it will take time. I do not know, the professor from USA could die, change job, my country could close the USA embassy here, etc. I can not let anything to chance. Also, If I reject Europe and for some strange reason don't go to the USA, I know I will never get again the wonderful recommendation letters my professor have gave me this time.


People have told me to do the best for me (I also read that in the Internet about the same problem applied to job offers), so the clearest answer seems to be to go to Europe, take time to take the TOEFL and GRE exams, and then, if later I prefer going to the USA, just quit and go.

I thought that was really deceitful, coward, and cold hearted, but also, I am the one trying to figure out what to do whit his life and how to improve it.

What do you think?

I don't know where the best place to study computer science is (although in terms of 'reputation', look at the department or university, rather than just assuming that the USA is a better place to study). However, I would suggest you also take into consideration the respective supervisors and the nature of the projects. Good supervisory support can, in my experience, be a major determinant of whether a PhD experience is good or bad. And having enthusiasm for the specific topic will also be important during the challenges.

Wherever you do the PhD, there's nothing stopping you going elsewhere afterwards, so don't feel like you have to accept the USA offer to stand a chance of working there when you're done.

Maybe other people with more experience of programmes outside the UK will be along to give more detailed advice?