IceSheep

Good for you for reapplying. I hope the next cycle goes better. That said, there’s no need to put down other people’s choices. Your posts overlook the many people pursuing a PhD to do research in think tanks or government, where institutional placement is not the primary determinant of success. In addition, while program prestige matters for job placement to some extent, the quality and trajectory of your research ultimately carry the most weight. At the end of the day, the work you produce is largely driven by your own initiative and ideas, which your institution does not define. As long as you have access to faculty members whose interests align with yours, you can succeed.