@aspiringslp1 @mikemcg @Rowboat47 Thanks for your input on Gainesville and UF! It does sound like they have a lot to offer, especially in research, and I’m sure both programs would prepare me well. The other factor is that I think I’d like to end up working in North Carolina one day, so I’m leaning towards UNC.
Thank you so much for sharing your friend’s experience! That is very good to know. I’ve heard mixed reviews about the faculty and the program, so I appreciate hearing about an experience from someone in the program!
Thankfully I do not have any debt right now! My dream school has slightly better opportunities, and it is in the area of US that I want to live long-term. I could specialize in my area of interest at my dream school, which is a huge plus. And I’ve wanted to go there for so long! But the in-state school is not ranked too much lower and would also offer me a lot of great opportunities... I’m just so torn!
I’m not sure if my job prospects would be better with one... I think my dream school is more respected in its area (which I want to live at some point in my life anyway), and it might be easier to do a CFY or job around there if I went to my dream school. But I don’t really know for sure.
I am trying to decide between my dream school, which is out-of-state, and an in-state school! I want to go to my dream school so badly, but the in-state school would be so much cheaper. Any input on what I should do? Can I justify going to my top school when it would cost so much more?