iamthelaw

Did you apply for chemistry or biophysics? I just accepted Stanford's offer for Biophysics PhD, same stipend. I'll be coming from LA, and had to choose between CalTech and Stanford for my final decision. It was really really really hard decision for me since these are both urban schools (important to me!) that matched my research interests PERFECTLY. If you're that worried about living in Urbana, I would just say pick Stanford. Its not the midwest, end of story. You have SF 35 minutes away (an hour by train), and LA 5 hours by car or an hour by plane. Many people even commute from SF by CalTrain! I plan on staying in PA on campus my first year, then moving to the city. From a career standpoint, I also think Stanford has more name value (ranked #1 in biophysics) and being in silicon valley is a huge plus. Plus, I love that we're allowed to take classes in the business, law, and design schools (if my PI thinks I have time to take them...that is). Living on 30k/yr is perfectly doable there, so I wouldn't worry about it.

Just accepted Stanford's offer today. Hope this is the right decision, but I'm kind of looking forward to a change!

thats awesome! i haven't listened to them in years. great band.

I second what Origin says. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Thanks. I definitely got along with the caltech grad students, maybe even a little bit better than at Stanford. Coincidentally, they all talked about how they didn't like their Stanford visit..haha.

Thanks Everything you said is pretty much spot on. My moms disabled, and somewhat relies on my to carry up groceries and stuff for her business. Shes fully capable of living on her own, but its gonna be hard to make her believe she'll be ok without me. I guess thats whats holding me back, but it has to happen eventually.

Woops, too late to use multiquote. I visited both an EV studio and an EV townhouse. The couch in the townhouse was pretty comfy, but apparently the one in the studio sucked. I think its just based on luck. Wondering about the mattress myself. I'm gonna be having surgery this summer, so I might need to upgrade it to be able to get any sleep..

Is your username based on the band?

Apparently I've heard at Stanford, if your PI is ok with you TA'ing, you can actually get paid a few grand extra. Sooo..thats not a big deal, actually pretty preferable since I can coordinate it around my research schedule. I've heard from a lot of professors at other schools (oddly enough..) that CalTech is a really great place to go to graduate school, plus its really close to home. I guess I'm more just torn about moving away and turning down CalTech, since it IS such a great school. My hearts telling me to go with Stanford, even though its the harder option. Just found out I'll have to have surgery this summer too. Not gonna be fun trying to move while on crutches!

one week left...help is appreciated.

Yeah, the low-rises definitely look dated but I like the idea of having a patio and they seemed pretty spacious (plus I liked the storage place under the stairs), although justifying $907 for it is a bit hard. Anyone know which has the nicest rooms overall of the 2 bedroom apartments, Lyman or Rains? Which one is newer?

About 95% sure Stanford is my final choice. Will be going for a Biophysics PhD. From SoCal so the move will be a welcome change (even though I will miss my constant sunshine). I am considering living in on campus housing my first year and later on moving to SF. My boyfriend would likely be moving to SF (the sunset district) around the same time I would get to Palo Alto this summer, which makes it extra convenient! Anybody hear about a service where you can meet your potential roommate for on campus housing? I'm a pretty private person, and wanna get to know someone before I'll be moving in with them. I've heard some horror stories.. I'd have to say the EV 2bedroom townhouses would probably be my first choice. Wish I could afford Munger, but it seems to be more to be law school types anyways. What seems to be the most social? I don't wanna spend more than about $1k a month. I considered the EV studios, but they seem so much smaller for the price compared to the townhouses. Any idea if the 2 bedroom townhouse's in EV can fit a queen bed?

Have been accepted to both with reasonable stipends, albeit a slightly higher one at Stanford. I've lived in LA all my life and am getting my bachelors from UCLA, so going to CalTech is the easy option (staying close to family and friends). I wouldn't be opposed to moving, and my significant other has already agreed to move. Both have many professors I am interested in working with, but I felt I got to interact more personally with the professors at Stanford. CalTech set up short group interviews so I don't feel I got to really asses them as PI's, which is why I'm going to meet with more faculty soon. Stanfords Biophysics program is part of the umbrella Biosciences program, so I'd be allowed to work with any faculty I wanted as long as they had space. Everyone at CalTech has already assured me getting your choice of PI isn't a problem, and they don't have quals! However, there are proposals and I would be required to TA, unlike at Stanford. Stanford would also allow me to take classes in the business, law, and design schools if I wanted. I have a feeling I'd like to stay in academia, but I like to have those options in case things change. They also seem to have far more resources for graduate students in general. Since these are pretty similar opportunities, does anyone have any tips/advice/opinions on either of these programs or the schools in general? They're both ranked fairly high, but does anyone know if one is more well-regarded than the other? I've heard differing opinions.