anon

Thanks for all of the advice. Just to let you know, I decided on Northwestern. I think that the deciding factor was that the person I am most interested in is there. So, thats that.

Trendytotebag, at JHU, people usually end up TAing for longer than at Northwestern because some professors can't afford to take over their funding. Everyone gets funded somehow, its just that some have to TA more for it. I chose to be a great student at a decent school for undergrad. I don't know if I'm ready to give up the "great" status yet.

That's the problem brittdreams, I don't know where I would be happier!

I want to do bioinorganic chem.

Its not like JHU is bad in chemistry, (according to the US News ranking they are around 25) its just that Northwestern is better and they have more money. Both are good programs, I just have to choose one. As for which campus I would be on, the chem department is on the Homewood campus, so its on the better of the two (much safer and nicer looking). Another thing, I was really hoping to end up on the east coast for grad schoo. Northwestern is the only school I applied to in the midwest. I was just hoping to get a change of environment for grad school. But if I end up going to NWern, I suppose I can always do an exotic post doc or something.

Thanks for all the advice. To answer your questions, one of the arrogent professors and the "late professor" at Choice 1 (its Northwestern to answer "minnesotan") were professors I was interested in. But I talked to one of the girls in the "late professor" group and she said that he was available when you really need him (this was while we were drinking so I think it was the truth) and she seemed to genuinely like the group. There is at least one other professor who I've heard nothing but good things about at Northwestern who I could see myself working with. As for happiness levels, it just seemed like the people were much more laid back at Choice 2 (Johns Hopkins to answer "minnesotan") and I would feel less like a small fish in a big pond there. But I suppose feeling comfortable isn't what grad school is all about. I just feel a little lost at the moment. I think that I would feel less stressed if I ended up at JHU but at the same time, I think I might regret turning down a school that is ranked in the top 5 in my field. Blah. PS I am also from Minnesota.

So, I've got it narrowed down to 2 schools (for chem grad school) Option 1: The better school- the department has a lot of funding, its ranked higher, etc. In a better city-the public transportation is good so I won't need a car At least 2 profs I would like to work with Less friendly department- some of the profs seem really arrogant and they are often not around (one of the profs was actually 20 min late to my appointment on the visit weekend) The students seem a little less happy Closer to home Option 2- More friendly and laid back environment They have more problems with funding Less prestigious City isn't quite as cool 2 or 3 profs I would like to work with I really don't know what to think. I know that Option 1 is the better school in a lot of aspects, but I don't know if they have the kind of environment I would want to work in for 6 years..... Anyone have any advice?