molly

I'm going to Cornell for Biochemistry, Molecular and Cell Biology. Have you actually visited Ithaca? It's freaking awesome.

Well, you say you want to work in academia after graduation. If that's the case, the academic reputation of the institution does matter a lot, although if you have really strong professors in mind that you could would with at UCSB, then go for it. You've gotta figure out what's worth it to you. I applied to bio PhD programs, which generally offer full support for the entire duration of the program, but I didn't apply anyplace in California because I couldn't see myself living comfortably on a 25k stipend there. I personally would choose Purdue because they offered you a research assistantship (for how many years, though?) and because it's well-respected in your field. Basically, I wouldn't go for UCSB, and then I'd pick between the other two based on financial offers.