Help
Time to make decisions, and I can't do it myself.
After graduating this year, I have three options for the fall. Each have their own positives and negatives, I will try to give all the information here. Please share your opinion in this matter :)
My degree is in CS with a Biology minor, and I have been accepted for all of the following options.
Option 1: PhD in Bioinformatics at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Positives
-It's a PhD
-Can stop with a masters if absolutely necessary.
-Need a masters anyway if I choose option #3
-Provided full tuition + 24,000 annual stipend.
-Eventually want to teach, PhD's often can get jobs teaching.
-I've visited, Ann Arbor is a cool city.
-I know someone else starting PhD there, so apartment hunting will be much easier.
Negatives
-I really dont want to be in school for another 5-6 years.
-Not sure that I would want to teach Bioinformatics, would much prefer entry level courses.
Option 2: PhD in Bioinformatics at University of California - San Diego
Positives
-Same as Michigan plus:
-Amazing weather+location
Negatives
-Same as michigan plus:
-Only give stipend of $21,000 plus tuition. Cost of living is MUCH higher in San Diego
so $21,000 will barely be enough to live off of. (as compared to 24,000 in michigan)
-Do not offer a Masters
-Really far away.
Option 3: Teacher certification at University of Buffalo
Positives
-Certification in one year, and can start working immediately after for about 35,000 a year to start in NY state as a Biology teacher.
-This is the type of material that I am interested in eventually teaching.
-Could always get PhD later in Science Education and teach new teachers in University setting.
Negatives
-Costs 8,000+housing for the year. Only loans available (Though I could possibly get fuding at Evo Bio TA for the Fall)
-Need masters, probably part time while teaching for the first 2 years.
-Possibly have a later regret of not at least trying for the PhD. (See third positive)
Additional information:
I really do not want to do research, I would much rather teach. The PhD would require research and publications in orde rto keep my job if i taught as a research university. Also, I want to do many other things with my life such as travel, write a book, etc. Teacher would provide more free time, especially over summers for these kinds of things.
Really between 1 and 2, Michigan is the better choice. The decision to be made is between 2 and 3. If I can think of any more + or - for each, I'll add them.
Discuss.
After graduating this year, I have three options for the fall. Each have their own positives and negatives, I will try to give all the information here. Please share your opinion in this matter :)
My degree is in CS with a Biology minor, and I have been accepted for all of the following options.
Option 1: PhD in Bioinformatics at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Positives
-It's a PhD
-Can stop with a masters if absolutely necessary.
-Need a masters anyway if I choose option #3
-Provided full tuition + 24,000 annual stipend.
-Eventually want to teach, PhD's often can get jobs teaching.
-I've visited, Ann Arbor is a cool city.
-I know someone else starting PhD there, so apartment hunting will be much easier.
Negatives
-I really dont want to be in school for another 5-6 years.
-Not sure that I would want to teach Bioinformatics, would much prefer entry level courses.
Option 2: PhD in Bioinformatics at University of California - San Diego
Positives
-Same as Michigan plus:
-Amazing weather+location
Negatives
-Same as michigan plus:
-Only give stipend of $21,000 plus tuition. Cost of living is MUCH higher in San Diego
so $21,000 will barely be enough to live off of. (as compared to 24,000 in michigan)
-Do not offer a Masters
-Really far away.
Option 3: Teacher certification at University of Buffalo
Positives
-Certification in one year, and can start working immediately after for about 35,000 a year to start in NY state as a Biology teacher.
-This is the type of material that I am interested in eventually teaching.
-Could always get PhD later in Science Education and teach new teachers in University setting.
Negatives
-Costs 8,000+housing for the year. Only loans available (Though I could possibly get fuding at Evo Bio TA for the Fall)
-Need masters, probably part time while teaching for the first 2 years.
-Possibly have a later regret of not at least trying for the PhD. (See third positive)
Additional information:
I really do not want to do research, I would much rather teach. The PhD would require research and publications in orde rto keep my job if i taught as a research university. Also, I want to do many other things with my life such as travel, write a book, etc. Teacher would provide more free time, especially over summers for these kinds of things.
Really between 1 and 2, Michigan is the better choice. The decision to be made is between 2 and 3. If I can think of any more + or - for each, I'll add them.
Discuss.