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Here is the situation that I analyzed for you. But note that if I were you, assuming that I have to chose only between these two offers, I opt for the BC offer. This is because (1) I believe success is dependent on yourself and (2) UNC has acted in an unethical manner and I will not deign to work with them.
Research Ranking: I believe UNC (Kenan-Flager) is ranked higher than BC. You also get more solid professors there. However, a capable research student can shine anywhere. Publications is more dependent on yourself than other people. Moreover, working with unethical professors can be dangerous.
Location: Boston is cold. I'm not sure but have the impression that UNC offer better climate, natural scenery and costs of living. However, you may feel that boston offer more opportunities in various aspects
Stipend: 23,000/year versus 12,600/year. Why need guaranteed funding for 5 years? Because they want your cheap labor for another year. Is it possible that UNC will make you do teaching to get the aid and etc while BC ask you to do RA with profs to get the aid? Maybe you can ask and find out from both schools on the TA/RA requirements.
Intention: Stipends tend not to be correlated with the costs of living. Generally, better schools give better stipends. So costs of living is not an excuse. For example, Duke is also near UNC but it offer stipends above USD 20K. Also, reputable schools will allow you to make decisions by April 15.So UNC's intention is suspicious.
I offer you four simple options.
1st option: Remind them that you have a right to decide by April 15. I believe earlier deadlines for acceptance of such offers violate some resolutions that the universities have signed. They may think that as a Chinese, you are ignorant or dare not exercise your right. Tell them, in no uncertain terms, that you are under no obligation to respond to offers of financial support prior to April 15.
2nd option: If you don't want to offend UNC and is still undecisive, you may accept the offer on Feb 17th. Should you change your mind,you must withdraw the acceptance on or before April 15. I strongly discourage this option because it makes you just slightly more ethical than UNC.
3rd option: Ask them to email you a copy of the resolution. This send a strong hint and they will probably revise the deadline. By the way, a copy of the resolution can be downloaded here.
http://www.cgsnet.org/pdf/resolution.pdf
4th option: play the offers among each other. Tell UNC that you got better financial aid package and longer deadline from BC.
Do let us know the action you will take.
[此贴子已经被作者于2006-2-8 2:43:59编辑过] | 
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发表于 2006-1-27 00:30:00
