Would be grateful if someone could tell me the relative strengths and weaknesses of the Social and Pol Science Dept at Cambridge University versus the Kennedy School at Harvard University? I have a place in the former and was wondering whether to defer that and reapply for the latter with some research experience there.

Thank you.

accept it. not too different i think. its shorter in the UK but the life here is a bit dull. i'd go to the states any day..but am not too sure i'd want to spend 5years of my life on a phd. hope someone else has an informative opinion.

hi jc, accept the offer. phd at USA takes atelast 4 years. better you complete your phd and can go for further research if you are interested in that particular group at harvard. or even you can do a mini-project at harvard with an understanding with your supervisor at cambridge...I did so Phd in Uk with a component in USA

bites, would you mind how telling us more about how you got to do a component in the USA? very interesting.

I would also be interested how you can do a component elsewhere.

hey sweet and doodles,
As you might know all Phd's divide their Phd in sub-parts, like different objectives etc...for a particular part of your phd may be an another prof could be experienced and well versed than your supervisor. so what i did was to i worked on the core areas with which my supervisor was well-versed and went to USA as a visiting research student to work with another guy who had more experience on that particular part. It helps if the guy you want to work is acquanited with your supervisor already!! and i hope most of researchers in the same area are quite acquainted. will give u more information if you are interested. bye for now and good luck. jc did u makie adecision

am well impressed bites. i will definitely try it out. sounds fun.

Take your offer now and enjoy. A phd is a phd - shoudn't matter where it is from and if you are ready to start now then go for it. Every where has positives and negatives but if you are happy with the supervision at Cambrdge (which you should be) then I would take it.

Hi bites, that sounds like a good idea. Would you give me some more info please? I'd love to try it out as well.