So basically I have narrowed my choice down between 2 schools. One is very highly regarded for many things, including my field. The other is reasonably respected, not really known too many outside academia, but whatever. I think my research fit is better at Unknown, but honestly, i wasn't very impressed by the grad students there. One guy complained that the school didn't have many professors studying his field and he'd wish he'd known before he matriculated. Isn't this something you should figure out when applying to grad school, much less enrolling there??? A few other students admitted it was the only school they got an interview at. Several asked me if I would even go there, since I have "so many other great options." I feel like a dick for putting them down, but overall they seemed pretty dull and unambitious. I feel like I would be a big fish in a small pond (though I don't necessarily think that'd be an entirely negative thing).The program head REALLY wants me to go there but I'm just not convinced it's right for me... I really liked the professors and the city.
I really have no idea what I want to do after grad school and I feel like I'd have more opportunities (like networking, impressing wealthy foreigners with my school sweatshirt, etc) at Fancy School. Compared to the rest of the cohort, I think I'd b be somewhere right in the middle, talent-wise. There are definitely some professors there whose work I'm interested in and it's my current advisor's opinion that you should work with someone who will teach you to be a good scientist, not necessarily to work on your specific interest. But she also thinks it's who you work with, not where, that's important. Also, it's cold there
I kind of picture myself at Fancy School but that might be because I'm a pretentious douchebag. He;lp