Dollopsp

Even at Einstein, it is the same process, first year- the school funds you and then the PI takes over. But PI needs to 'SHOW' that they have enough to funds to keep the student for at least 3 years and then only you can join that lab unless a student is confident and wants to get her/his own funding. God forbid if prof runs out of money after 3 years, the school will take care of the rest. You are right, the uncertainty makes PhD a gamble in a way, and a little bit of luck is always helpful and might be life changing too.

Yeah, the professors are not responding probably because they can't concretely comment right now as you mentioned. And that is why I am super tensed if it is worth to take risk. And moreover, I am an international student, so won't be able to apply for many NIH fellowships/training grants. But at the same time, because the school is so specific and good at what they are doing, it is of course very well reputed in the biomedical research/science community compared to Penn State. Thus, most of my post-docs and profs are recommending me to join Einstein without thinking about funding so much because of its dynamic nature, along with the hope the profs might get their grants renewed.

Thank you so much for the responses! I understand the guaranteed stipend part but I meant funding for our research and hence well funded professors. I dread the part of leaving a project/lab because of funding issues(NH cuts prevalent) and then joining a new lab or starting a project all over again. That is one thing you would want to stay away from, right!? I am unable to get info on that front in the research areas I am interested in

Hello, I was wondering if anyone following this could comment on Albert Einstein College of Medicine v/s Penn State - Hershey. I am inclined towards doing research in diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. In terms of environment (nice, small, supportive) and funding(guaranteed)- Penn State is better but considering the location, proximity to companies and reputation- Einstein wins. I am struggling big time, so any specific comments would be highly appreciated. I have emailed profs at Einstein asking for the funding situation in their labs but haven't gotten a response yet. Does anyone know the funding situation there? Thanks!