Suggestion about PhD [closed]

manpreet Best Answer 2 years ago

I have one very important question standing at a very important junction of my career. I am a student in France, finishing his master's and looking for PhD. To say something in short about me, I come from Grenoble, I am not very very good, but I am not bad in mathematics either. Maybe can be classified as "quite good". I am passionate and suitably hard working. My knowledge is not very advanced, but at par ( or in some cases, more) than standard pre-PhD syllabus in France. I also have decent grades. I want to pursue a PhD, I have two options:

Option A Prof. X is very famous and at an university of high prestige. He is quite well known for some of his research work and is extremely established and busy as a mathematician. He can take me for PhD, but the catch is that, he is in Paris. By the way he described his stye of work to me, it is quite clear, that I will have to be extremely independent in my work, and he will not be available always. Plus, life will be very tough I imagine, and I will have to work extremely hard in the competitive environment that Paris offers. Nevertheless, I can benefit from the mathematical environment Paris has to offer, with lots of seminars etc. Also, it will look good on CV to be associated with someone so well-known.

Option B Prof. Y is in a small dept at the university of Avignon. He is also very established in his own field, but maybe not as famous as prof. X. He can take me for PhD too and seems very welcoming. In this case, I know for sure, that I am not a lone warrior and I will have him as a mentor and guide through out. Please note that, prof.Y is also competent in mathematics, just that, he is not as "glamorous" as prof. X, and maybe not that well known all around the world. Also, Avignon being a small place, I will be able to learn things at my own pace and live a comfortable life, in and outside mathematics. Just that, not much will be happening mathematically in Avignon compared to Paris, and the brand attraction and value is lesser than Parisian univerisities and prof. X in some sense.

I know my question sounds very shallow, but being the first member of the family to pursue mathematics professionally, I am at a loss of wits. Also, it's not possible to ask professors these things directly, as some may find it offensive. If I can find some guidance, I will be really glad.

I am just 22, and generally don't bother about ratings and rankings when it comes to studying, but this time, having two options in hand, confuse me a lot.