kaluza

Personally, I would go with whichever school you think would make you happier. It sounds like both institutions are well regarded, so it's not like you're choosing between #1 Best School in the Universe and Random School in Siberia That Nobody's Heard Of. As long as there are a decent number of labs at both places that you think are doing exciting and important work, I wouldn't worry about the specific prestige of one school over another, as I think ultimately the work you end up doing and the advisor you choose are more important than your school's name. I also don't necessarily think that the age of the program is going to have a huge impact on mentorship (though I do think it could make a difference in other areas - like access to career resources, etc).Like TakeruK said above, newer programs may indeed have more flexibility, which can be an advantage. But at the end of the day, I'm sure you'll find PIs who are great mentors and PIs who are terrible mentors at both schools, and most of the mentorship you'll get during grad school will come from your PI, not directly from your program. As far as money goes, obviously make sure you can get by on the stipend in both locations. Financial perks (free computers/software, bonuses for securing outside funding, that sort of thing) are great, but they're just that - a perk. Don't make your choice based on that. And remember that at both schools, students are making it work on their stipend, so you probably can too. I think the most important thing to keep in mind is that for most science PhDs, your "program" essentially ends after your first year. After that, you're just working in a lab. So my best advice is first to go to a place where you like the science, and secondly (but almost as importantly), go to a place where you think you'll enjoy your life beyond the lab. In that regard, I seriously disagree with BeakerBreaker. Don't go to Antarctica for a great program. Anywhere you go, your lab life will have its ups and downs, and when you're in a down period, it's important to know that you'll have something going for you in your personal life. Which town/city would make you happier? Is one place located nearer to family or friends you're close to? Do you have a SO whose location could affect your decision? Where did you connect better with current students and other interviewees? Which school's students seemed happier and more enthusiastic? Which school or location can better cater to your interests beyond science? When none of your experiments are working and you're hating being in lab, you need to be sure you'll have other things in your life that can make you feel better. I guess the tl;dr version of what I'm saying is that you from what you've described, you can't go wrong either way. Make sure the science will be a good fit for you at both schools, and then pick the one where you think you'll be happier. A PhD is a long haul, and I know from personal experience that being unhappy with your life outside of school makes the whole experience a lot worse. I don't think you'll look back and regret picking a #5 school over a #1 school, but you might regret choosing a location you hate over one you love, or a school that didn't feel like quite the right fit over one that did. You're not just picking a school to get a degree from - you're deciding how your life is going to look for the next 5-7 years. Choose the life that you'll enjoy. Best of luck with your decision!