hi everyone,
I am so confused. well this is the story. I got admission from 2 similar rating universities and the department ratings are also similar. Indeed the professors are also well noted in the research field. NOw comes how should i choose the university or professor and if i choose one how should i tell to the other because for the 3 months the professors has been working on my application process.. pretty much confused. I would welcome how people in the forum tackled this issue if at all they had been on one similar situation. plz reply uergently

It sounds like you will be OK in both places, so you can't really make a wrong decision. Choose the supervisor you liked best- you will have to get on with him/her for 3-4 years. Tell the other one immediately so he can find someone else for the project.

Write to the one you've rejected that you are sorry to have to turn down his offer because you have accepted another position, thank and him for the plesant interview. Oh- and don't worry too much, they will find someone else to fill the position. It's normal for students to apply for several PhDs and then have to choose one.

Hi, Deri. Although I haven't received any offers yet, I have been in contact with two professors too who are ready to take me. So I might have a similar issue quite soon. What I think is that (1) you have to choose which professor fits better in terms of his research background, his character, and his research interests for the future. (2) Look at the university - which one do you like more (location, ratings, well-known or not, city vs. country location). (3) Which programme can give you more in terms of your professional development – doctoral funding, conference allowance, well-organized courses for first-year students (if you will take any), how old and large is the programme (the more PhD students, the better, I think). There has to be something on what they will differ. I hope some of current PhD students can also comment on such situation. Good luck!

More than anything it sounds like you're feeling guilty about turning one of these positions down - DON'T! It's only natural to feel this way if you're a kind person, but don't let it influence your decision. As for choosing, pick the university with the most funding! None of the info you come across will give you a realistic picture of what YOUR day-to-day experience will be, but you can't do anything without money (if you're doing a practical PhD)

hey guys,
thanks for your advice. i will think on how to phrase the words to the professor.
cheers

What's the position on turning a studentship down after you said yes? Is it considered really bad? Is it ok as long as you haven't started the project? Will this affect you in the future as everybody knows everyone else in the research field?

I know that most people say that it doesn't matter where you go to get your PhD but it depends on supervisor/dept but surely even if two depts have same rating one and one is better known (renowned) it would be better going there if you could get in?

Another question relating to offers ... how many people accept offers and then turn them down? Is this a common practice? Or is it frowned upon? Many thanks.

One of the PhD offers is from a new university belonging to a very reputed university system. I like the professors that I met. I haven't met the professor in the other university that's offering me a PhD. It is old and well-established. The location sounds more fun than the first one, which is in a small town in the west.
I'd feel bad about rejecting any one of them since they have both been so nice and encouraging. Will that impact my future career and chances of getting a post-doc or job there?

Somebody please answer these burning questions so we can sleep at night!!