Picking Schools
I need some advice in picking schools. I applied to many different programs, but only got into a few. One, a PhD in Computer Science at my alma mater, where I also got a Master's. The other for an MA in Mathematics at another school. I think I've lost a fair bit of passion for CS through jobs and some other issues, but it's still an interest. Here's my dilemma:
Going back to my alma mater, I would need to get a professor quickly to start research, and there has been or will be a turnover of professors pretty quickly, and it will be troublesome to find a professor. I also don't have funding here, and would have to pay my own way for the first year until picked up by a professor. Lastly, if going here, all my degrees would be from the same institution, which I've heard is not warranted for academia, correct?
The Math program at the other school has offered to pay all tuition and give me a stipend (maybe enough to live on) for my studies there. They are a tiny department, though, and not ranked at all. phds.com had the school's effectiveness 1.6/5 (but based on 1995 data). They only graduate a very few Math degrees every year, but there is probably a good amount of research I could (try) to do there. This program would also give an opportunity to see another field, tutor in Math, and hopefully get some good 1-1 research time with professors. The thing is, I'm not sure how effective this program would be upon completion in getting into grad school again (for cs or math PhD). I also have an interest in the area, and can do well in it I think, but am not sure how passionate about it I am.
Neither of the schools are ranked by US News in their areas, which also makes me nervous. Would it be better to go to the alma mater, the math program and continue to search for a complete passion, or to turn down both and hope that something comes up?
My *BIG* question is that I have other options that could come through this summer for the fall, and I want at least a back-up. If I accept a school's offer of admission and funding, is it kosher to turn them down later in the summer (but before starting in the fall)? And would there be repercussions of turning funding down?
Going back to my alma mater, I would need to get a professor quickly to start research, and there has been or will be a turnover of professors pretty quickly, and it will be troublesome to find a professor. I also don't have funding here, and would have to pay my own way for the first year until picked up by a professor. Lastly, if going here, all my degrees would be from the same institution, which I've heard is not warranted for academia, correct?
The Math program at the other school has offered to pay all tuition and give me a stipend (maybe enough to live on) for my studies there. They are a tiny department, though, and not ranked at all. phds.com had the school's effectiveness 1.6/5 (but based on 1995 data). They only graduate a very few Math degrees every year, but there is probably a good amount of research I could (try) to do there. This program would also give an opportunity to see another field, tutor in Math, and hopefully get some good 1-1 research time with professors. The thing is, I'm not sure how effective this program would be upon completion in getting into grad school again (for cs or math PhD). I also have an interest in the area, and can do well in it I think, but am not sure how passionate about it I am.
Neither of the schools are ranked by US News in their areas, which also makes me nervous. Would it be better to go to the alma mater, the math program and continue to search for a complete passion, or to turn down both and hope that something comes up?
My *BIG* question is that I have other options that could come through this summer for the fall, and I want at least a back-up. If I accept a school's offer of admission and funding, is it kosher to turn them down later in the summer (but before starting in the fall)? And would there be repercussions of turning funding down?