Until the moment before I write this reply, I was going to write my acceptace to UCLA's offer. However, what prevented me from doing so is the receipt of an offer from UMD. Now I have only one day to reply. Therefore, your advice is much more strongly needed and much more highly appreciated.
Please help me pick one of these two offers:
Offer #1:
Program: PhD CS - UCLA
Type of financial aid: 9 months Fellowship then 3 months Full RA.
Prospective research group: Networking - Dr. Mario Gerla.
Net salary (after taxes): 1350$/m for the Fellowship - Do not know yet about the RA.
Housing: 850$/m
Offer #2:
Program: PhD CS - UMD
Type of financial aid: TA + A small block fellowship paid at the start of the year.
Prospective research group: NIL.
Salary (taxable): Don't know whether $15,526 is for 9.5 months or for 9.5/2:
"Your minimum guaranteed salary for the first two (9.5 month) academic years will be $15,526 (taxable) per academic year."
Housing: Have no idea
Below is my point of view. Please give what you see too.
** Pros of UCLA:
* Identified research group and professor from the begenning.
* Renowned professor.
* Since UCLA has a quarter system. Thus, I can finish three semesters while I am in the fellowship, shortening the period to get the PhD.
** Cons of UCLA:
* High cost of living especially given that I can not share housing.
** Pros of UMD:
* Very nice community
* Higher rank than UCLA
** Cons of UMD:
* Not assigned to a research group, will take time to find one.
* No first year fellowship.
* Heard that average time to get a PhD is SEVEN years, because students get involved in research that is irrelevant to their thesis.
Please bear with me. I am very sorry for bothering you with my questions. However, I have only one day to reply.