I second this! It’s so hard to decide. I’ve made pros/cons lists numerous times and I’m still indecisive but I really want to decide soon so that other applicants can have my spot for the programs I don’t choose. For me, I’m considering research fit and mentorship, while also keeping location and cost of living in mind. I’m down to Hopkins, UNC, and Emory (all EPI PhD).
Based on my conversations with various programs, the NIH predoctoral rate is right below $26k. I’ve talked to numerous students at UNC and everyone said that even though funding isn’t guaranteed, it’s highly likely that you’ll receive funding from somewhere. One student said their stipend for this year is the same as the NIH rate so hopefully that helps!