Hi all,
I'm between 2 programs, and could really use some insight. Both school A and school B are ranked in the top 5 in my field, and I could live on the funding packages from either school.
I went to school A for undergrad, but I didn't study the field I'll be pursuing for my PhD (Sociology). I didn't really like my experience there, but I've stayed in the area, and I've been there for 9 years. So, I'm ready to move, but I do like the area and the weather. School A outranks school B in all of my subfield areas of interest. School A also has methods training not offered by school B. Placements from school A seem to be in the exact positions I'm interested in.
Meanwhile, school B has some fellowship and joint training opportunities that interest me. It would be a new city, new people, and a fresh start. But school B does not offer training in some of the methods that interest me. They do, however, have a lot of faculty I could see myself working with. I also found the current students to be more welcoming. School B was also my dream school as a child, so I have this romantic idea of going there. But by going there it seems like I will become a different type of Sociologist.
It seems to me that career-wise I should probably go to school A, but part of me really wants to go to school B. Thoughts? Advice? Thanks!!