Of these US schools, which are the best? (study abroad options)

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21

Re: Of these US schools, which are the best? (study abroad options)

^^

Yes, I checked. :)

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Re: Of these US schools, which are the best? (study abroad options)

I'd choose UIUC. smile

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Re: Of these US schools, which are the best? (study abroad options)

lBG you will be 2 hrs away from me. I may even buy you some kebab and nihari if you drop by chicago.

but seriously bro, with your goal to check out the east coast ..go for rutgers. That is what I would do

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Re: Of these US schools, which are the best? (study abroad options)

You do have a point. I was trying to say that the UCs, UMs have steller programs that compete with the Ivy Leagues at a much lower cost particularly if you qualify for in-state tuition. However this discussion is probably best for another thread.

LBG, I would recommend URI if sightseeing is your goal. The school is well located in New England in particular Boston, Cape Cod, and you can easily get to New York City. The student body is heavily American and largely from the Northeast.

With Rutgers, you will have greater access to NYC and the desified districts of New Jersey. Rutgers New Brunswick mainly draws NY/NJ residents, lots of desis. I know that theres a heavy Indian Gujarati presence there.

George Mason could be a great place to spend a semester if you are planning on visiting Washington DC. GMU is very international school. Loads of Pakis, Indians, Arabs, Euros, Asian etc. Due to its proximity to DC, you will find folks with $$.

It really depends on what you would like to do to. If I may recommend, you should also look into whether you can select a university of your choice and possible setup a consortium with your home institution so that your credits will be transferred easily. Sightseeing aside, you should strive for studying at a university with a good reputation, say top 50 in the rankings. That will go farther on your CV than anything.

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Re: Of these US schools, which are the best? (study abroad options)

** Rutgers University at New Brunswick, New Jersey **

**nai:clown:

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Re: Of these US schools, which are the best? (study abroad options)

I really appreciate the help from you bro/sis/it.

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Re: Of these US schools, which are the best? (study abroad options)

Urbana is the most well known out of your list. They are outside Chicago and a bit in the middle of nowhere though. But that probably means that you can concentrate well on your studies. Depending on your level, you could conceivably live in chicago and go to Urbana to attend classes (phd friend is doing that).
Check that they have an appropriate program in your course of studies.
Texas would be my next rec.

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Re: Of these US schools, which are the best? (study abroad options)

Thanks for the recommendations guys.

I have another related question:

I know many US schools offer handsome funding for PhD studies. If someone starts a PhD at say Georgetown in IR-and after a year says "its not for me" or calls it stumps for one reason or another, does he/she have to pay back the amount of money/scholarship value allocated to him.

Thanks

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Re: Of these US schools, which are the best? (study abroad options)

maybe they wont make him pay back but may just toss him from the school, and thus the plan of getting a masters may not work out in the end.

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Re: Of these US schools, which are the best? (study abroad options)

Is it possible for you to find out what the precedent for that is at US universities?

Thanks

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Re: Of these US schools, which are the best? (study abroad options)

i had looked it up but did not find any over arching info on that.

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Re: Of these US schools, which are the best? (study abroad options)

I am in agreement with pak-one here, you must really consider UIUC or UT-Austin.

LBG,

from what I have seen, some people do get enrolled in PhD programs and take courses so as to complete their Masters degree requirements ASAP. Also, PhD requires the student to clear a qualifier exam within a certain number of attempts. I have seen people NOT clearing the qualifier, but completing the MS degree requirements and then leaving with a MS degree.

I have never seen a case when a student who was enrolled for a Ph D program and wants to leave with a MS being penalized for that in terms of being asked to return the money back. The worst I have seen is the school deciding to withdraw funding to the student once they know about your intent. It will be good to maintain a good relations with your advisor, even if you leave after MS.

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Re: Of these US schools, which are the best? (study abroad options)

RU is good.
and Univ of Portland Oregon.
these are the two i have heard about good things and attended one.

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Re: Of these US schools, which are the best? (study abroad options)

Within the context of a PhD program, what are the usual requirements for the MA award?

Here most people still do MA's as a terminal degree in there own right.

Which schools have good funding?

I start my MA in October, would I require a pass with merit or higher to stand a chance of PhD enrolement at a good US school?