I'm trying to decide between two social psych PhD programs and I can't quite make myself commit. Any thoughts? My career goals are academic, but I don't expect (or really profoundly want) a top-50 R1-type position.
Program A:
- Exciting research that is somewhat out of my comfort zone
- Good advisor fit
- Smaller/rebuilding social program in a good (top 20) general psych department
- Less structured program that will require more initiative and independence
- Prestigious, well-known school
- Very strong funding offer
- Reasonably good academic placements among social grads
Program B:
- Great research that matches my interests exceptionally well
- Really awesome advisor fit
- Medium, well-established social program in an okay (top 100) general psych department
- More structured program with a solid, nurturing reputation
- Less recognized name with a couple well-regarded faculty in the program
- Funding isn't as good, but it's adequate for the location
- Mixed/average academic placements among social grads
Both advisors are junior faculty and don't have a long track record to go on, but they're publishing and presenting productively with their early students. Advisor B has a slight edge as far as that goes. I also like Advisor B's studies and network more, for what that's worth.
My dilemma comes down to feeling like I really know exactly what I'm getting into with Program B, whereas Program A might have a higher ceiling but it also seems a little less predictable. I like the structure and overall warmth of Program B, but I also recognize that the difference between a top-20 and a top-100 department is not a minor thing. I have gotten advice from social faculty mentors (at an R1 and at a SLAC) and they're both telling me to go with my gut, but I don't want to be totally naive. I'm struggling to find any reliable information on social psych rankings and their importance in academic hiring, and because my mentors have been contradicting the conventional "Go to the most prestigious place you can get into," wisdom, I'm really confused about what to do.
Please message me for names if you're curious or if you might be able to offer more specific advice.