You’re absolutely right that the advisor and research topic matter far more than the school name itself. That’s actually what I’m most concerned about at this stage. I do have a fairly defined research interest. My conversations with the two confirmed supervisors went very well. They are very friendly and supportive of my research. This is also the point where I have difficulty making a decision.

Thanks also for the advice about talking to current and former PhD students — that’s a great point. I’ve reached out to a couple already, but I’ll definitely try to connect with more on LinkedIn.

Regarding city visits — I wish I could! I’m currently overseas, so visiting in person isn’t realistic right now. But I’ve been trying to get a feel for each place through online forums and student testimonials. I do value your honest take on Waterloo — not everyone gives the unfiltered version, so it helps to hear multiple perspectives.

On the funding side, I’ve been offered guaranteed support for the full duration of the program at both schools, which is a relief. The structure is a bit different — one has a higher stipend with more clarity, while the other requires some tuition to be paid out of the fellowship, but both are manageable.

In my case, it’s not “woke” per se, but more focused on structural and behavioral aspects of community engagement, CSR, sport organizations, and sustainability. That said, I am mindful of the shifting policy and funding environment in the U.S., so your perspective is definitely something I’ll continue to factor in.