Hi everyone, looking for advice on which graduate school to pick... I've been very blessed (and extremely lucky) to be accepted to two schools, but I have no idea where to go. I don't know anyone doing a PhD at all, don't know anyone outside of my professors who have ever done a PhD and all my knowledge of PhDs is from this website! So I would love your advice. My field is social psychology and my long-term plan is to stay in academia.
School #1
- Top 5 in the world, top 5 in psychology, household name
- Well known, well-established adviser
- Where I did my undergrad and I am not excited at the idea of going back
- Research topic I personally find interesting, but one that is no longer very relevant or popular
- Low research budget and stipend. I can live on it, but only just
School #2
- Top 25 in the world, top 10 in psychology, still very good but not as well-known, especially internationally
- Really enjoyed my recruitment visit, loved the city and the students, had a great time
- First time adviser who has never studied a student before. Which to me is not ideal in terms of connections but possibly a good thing as he is incredibly enthusiastic for me to be there
- Research topic is not currently my personal preference, although it is very cutting edge
- Great research budget and reasonable, although not high, stipend