(USA vs Singapore) Decision, decision….
Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 9:59 pm
So this week is the week. We all need to decide which grad school we are going to attend. As for myself, I am considering several offers right now:
1) PhD in Physics at National University of Singapore. I got Research Scholarship on Nanotech Physics.
2) MA in Physics and PhD in Science Education at Western Michigan University. Yes, I applied for concurrent-enrollment program in which I am to get double degree in Physics and Science Education in the end of my graduate studies. I got Teaching Assistantship and stipends to fully cover my graduate studies at WMU.
BTW, am I still eligible to stay in the United States for the 12 + 17 months "optional practical training (OPT) period" for F-1 holder after graduating from Western Michigan and getting both degrees in Physics and Science Education?
3) PhD in Physics at Kansas State University. Officially, my application has been approved. However, K-State has not guaranteed any assistantship or financial assistance up to this point.
Perhaps next week, but I am not that sure. My research interest at K-State is on Physics Education.
Money is not the most important issue here. I am more concerned about my prospective career plan right after graduating from the grad school. Maybe it is too naive, but as for my long term career goals. I intend to eventually obtain tenure-track faculty positions / professorship (either in the United States or Singapore), where I would have the opportunity to do research and to act as a teacher and mentor to undergraduate and graduate students.
If any of you could give me advice and suggestion based on my options, I would truly appreciate that.
1) PhD in Physics at National University of Singapore. I got Research Scholarship on Nanotech Physics.
2) MA in Physics and PhD in Science Education at Western Michigan University. Yes, I applied for concurrent-enrollment program in which I am to get double degree in Physics and Science Education in the end of my graduate studies. I got Teaching Assistantship and stipends to fully cover my graduate studies at WMU.
BTW, am I still eligible to stay in the United States for the 12 + 17 months "optional practical training (OPT) period" for F-1 holder after graduating from Western Michigan and getting both degrees in Physics and Science Education?
3) PhD in Physics at Kansas State University. Officially, my application has been approved. However, K-State has not guaranteed any assistantship or financial assistance up to this point.
Perhaps next week, but I am not that sure. My research interest at K-State is on Physics Education.
Money is not the most important issue here. I am more concerned about my prospective career plan right after graduating from the grad school. Maybe it is too naive, but as for my long term career goals. I intend to eventually obtain tenure-track faculty positions / professorship (either in the United States or Singapore), where I would have the opportunity to do research and to act as a teacher and mentor to undergraduate and graduate students.
If any of you could give me advice and suggestion based on my options, I would truly appreciate that.