@HerpinDerps where did you end up attending? I know it has been ages since you post this but I am trying to decide between UChicago and UTSW as well!
I got accepted into both UChicago (Neurobiology PhD program) and UTSW (Basic Biomedical Science PhD program - planning on getting into Neuroscience). I am having a hard time deciding because of similar reasons you stated. I would appreciate your insight in this matter!