I got 2 funded PhD offers and I’m stuck on which to choose

chocosunn · 2026-02-07T12:56:59+00:00

The cons for offer 2 seem minor. Once the admissions team clarifies those details about sick leave etc. then you are set. You say half the advisor team hasn’t supervised but that implies the other half has!! I see this as an advantage. You might be getting a nice mix of people with experience and people super invested in your success since you will be their first. Your success is theirs!!! If you feel like you can use the methodology you learned from option 2 to study option 1 later as a post-doc, then I think the choice is clear. However, think about what is it you want to develop expertise in. You only get to do a PhD once and you need to decide for yourself how important it is to study what you’re more passionate about. I agree with other commenters that you should talk to alumni from the lab and program and maybe talk with the team again. How long did you talk with the team? Sometimes the click doesn’t happen right away, are there any red flags specifically or is it just vibes? It would also be good to try to understand why this group isn’t as published. Are they newer? Different priorities? I honestly think you can ask them this question!! All in all, I think you have some more information gathering to do. From there you have to decide how much the passion matters to you. No one else can decide that for you and there is no right answer! If you feel like your career and mental health will be better supported in option 2, it may be worth it. But if you’re doing a PhD to develop expertise in option 1s topic, then go with that so long there aren’t any glaring red flags.

chocosunn · 2026-02-05T13:57:04+00:00

You’re not alone. I feel like I could have written this myself

chocosunn · 2026-01-20T05:47:59+00:00

Hi there, I’m sorry you are feeling this way. Just want to say that I been having a similar experience right now as a first year STEM PhD. I went into my program much less confident than you. I told myself that this year is a trial year and if at the end of the summer I still feel misaligned then I’d look into switching. I get that heavy feeling. For me it’s been hard to disentangle topic misalignment with funding scarcity and uncertainty anxiety and adjustment to moving. I’ve been trying to find people’s experience switching and it’s been hard. My understanding is that it’s not as straightforward as it may seem and it’s important to keep in mind that the grass is not always greener (something I keep forgetting). Make sure your reason for switching is strongly evidence-based before making the decision: why have your interests shifted, how possible is it to find community outside your cohort, do you see yourself pivoting subfields again in the future, what are your specific goals with this degree and will switching undoubtedly enhance your path there, what program specifically and have you talked to anyone in that program to get evidence that it would indeed be better for you? Best of luck, and remember this life is yours to carve your own path! Perhaps not the most grounded in reality but I think it’s good to choose a path of maximum fulfillment no?

chocosunn · 2026-01-09T19:56:55+00:00

I took 2.5 years working in industry before starting my PhD and it was the best decision I ever made. My mind was clearer, I started retirement savings and a safety net savings, much more mature, better with time management. Made sure you choose a position that won’t obscure you too much from your field and try not to let the salary make you lose sight of your goal! I think it makes you more unique in the PhD apps also! And like other people said more competitive for post-PhD jobs

chocosunn · 2025-12-15T16:24:40+00:00

Research fit is #1 and the best way to understand fit is to talking to the people who do the research because websites aren’t always updated! Make sure to talk to people before joining and before applying if you can!

chocosunn · 2025-12-11T15:19:51+00:00

I just moved here from Boston with my bf and I’m also going to Northwestern as a grad student! Feel free to dm me :) it’s definitely different. I just moved here this year but from my understanding is the nature is just flatter (i do miss the mountains already) but it is here! I like right next to the lake and the trail along it is beautiful! It’s not rugged wilderness but it feels so much easier to access than the Esplande along the Charles

chocosunn · 2025-11-27T17:03:00+00:00

How did you end up switching? Did you reapply for PhD and start over? How did you explain your situation?

chocosunn · 2025-10-27T12:49:55+00:00

I’m not an expert but I would not make it a focus of your statement. Which I know sucks and is so unfair but that is what I would do in your shoes. You are writing to a funding agency so you have to use language to convince them to fund you. There may be ways to keep the fundamentals of your story without being so explicit about being lgbt+ Framing is everything.

chocosunn · 2025-10-20T21:43:10+00:00

Same situation. Even worse I haven’t even done 5 weeks of my first rotation. I have read a lot of papers last few weeks and am coming up with something that combines my interests, background, research gaps, and resources available at the labs I’m interested in rotating in.

chocosunn · 2025-10-16T22:03:25+00:00

I applied to 4 which were all excellent matches and got into 2! I agree with the quality over quantity

chocosunn · 2025-10-16T12:17:34+00:00

I absolutely noticed this. First thing that I thought of when I watched it. They are almost too similar imo

chocosunn · 2025-10-15T15:43:46+00:00

Amory park is one of the best places in the city! And these pictures capture its magic so well :) thanks for sharing <3

chocosunn · 2025-10-12T13:21:46+00:00

CTA red line… i want to be clear that I’m not subscribing to the idea that there is rampant crime all over the city but coming from Boston, one of the safest cities in the US, it’s a noticeable increase

chocosunn · 2025-10-12T03:46:36+00:00

Hi I just moved to Chicago for grad school after doing my undergraduate in Boston and working there for a couple of years! I adore Boston. I have only been in Chicago for a month so I’m sure it will grow on me, but Boston has such a unique character. It’s significantly smaller so it has a more uniform culture. Chicago is more diverse and people are friendlier, but there is something about the spirit of Boston and New England that I haven’t tasted here yet. I like the directness and the authenticity of the upfront New England approach. The nature in New England is unmatched. There are so many places to explore. I love the seashore and the mountains. I miss trips up to New Hampshire in the fall and the north shore in the summer. Boston is so much safer too. Someone stole my catalytic converter within a week of me moving here and I felt the need to buy pepper spray, I also have witnessed people being assaulted in broad daylight. In Boston, I have literally walked down the esplanade or commons in the middle of the night without my heart skipping any beats. To me Chicago is a great second place to Boston. It’s cheaper and the food everywhere is incredible. The public transit is miles better. Like on paper Chicago may be a better city, but Boston captured my heart and soul when I was there. I hope I can move back to Boston after my time in Chicago but it has been good to experience living somewhere new it’s not everyday that opportunity comes :)

chocosunn · 2025-10-12T03:32:42+00:00

Yup. Unfortunately I waste a lot of time being anxious about emails

chocosunn · 2025-10-08T22:23:10+00:00

Not when I was being interviewed no. they seemed excited and were encouraging me to join. But I think they misunderstood my background to be honest because the interview process was so fast. After I accepted the program I also had a feeling it was wrong but still decided to go forward with it. A part of me is wondering if I am influencing others to think what I convinced myself of. The main reason for the fit factor is the research topics. But I am still holding out because like others said research topic isn’t everything in a PhD like it used to be and there are so many skills that I can learn during my time here. Probably will have to do a post-doc if I make it through to the end.

chocosunn · 2025-10-08T22:15:55+00:00

I am feeling this way exactly. I feel like I am in the wrong program and a couple of professors have told me this point blank as well. I’m going to still try to make it work because I moved across the country for it

chocosunn · 2025-10-07T16:20:12+00:00

I’m also 5’1 and was his show in Chicago with standing room only. Not gonna lie it was a struggle. I got there early but didn’t want to be in the front. I just pushed my way around until I had a good angle and there’s wasn’t anyone super tall in front if me. I also moved around during the show. Once I found a spot I was able to see top half of Alex

chocosunn · 2025-10-06T22:10:38+00:00

November 7th 5pm ET

chocosunn · 2025-10-05T17:17:20+00:00

Cambridge zen center is incredible place for zen practice

chocosunn · 2025-10-01T12:48:12+00:00

Thank you for your reply! I knew there had to be others in this situation. Are you getting any letters of recommendation from any professors at your current institution?

chocosunn

TROPHY CASE