gradconfused

Is graduating from a school that is highly-ranked (i.e., top 20) more important than actual research? Or would somebody from a lower-ranked school who had a lot of publications be more competitive than an average person from a highly-ranked school? What are people's views in the field of psychology? It seems to me that only Ivy League and top-ranked schools really care about school rank. So if you want a job at a top university you should have probably gone to a top university? What does everyone think?

I actually just spoke to a few people at the undergrad school and it turns out that the gap won't be much different. The big difference will be that I will have to work for it (i.e., TAships, RAships) at the undergrad school whereas at the other school it would just be handed to me. I don't mind working for it though... I'm having such a hard time with this! I feel like I've pretty much decided that I fit in better at my undergrad school but it's just so hard to turn down the other school because it has a better reputation and better known psych department. I just don't want to regret this decision later on. Not to mention that the advisor at the other school has been trying so hard to get me to come there but I just don't feel like I will be aligned with his research interests or that we will work well together. Is it SO terrible to turn down a top-ranked school for an average school? Am I crazy?!?!? :/

I think that I can ask for a top-up at the undergrad institution - so the funding factor might get fixed. And what you've mentioned about staying at the same undergrad school is a concern of mine. But, I've talked to multiple people and there seem to be mixed opinions, and some people think that this is an outdated view that's changing. In the long run, it just seems better to me to pick a school where my interests fit in better. Because additionally... it's not just that I'm not as interested in the research at the high-ranking institution, but I don't really agree with the theoretical framework that the advisor wants the research to go towards in the next 5 years.... :/

Hi all, I'm new to these boards and I've recently had to make a very tough decision between grad schools. The decision seems clear to me in terms of research interests and supervisor compatibility, but I'm also torn because I'm choosing a lower-ranked school with less funding. The first school I received an offer from is an Internationally ranking top 20 school in Canada and has offered me a very generous fellowship. If I went to this school I would have more of a chance of getting hired at a top university after graduation. But, I'm not really liking the direction of research the faculty member who accepted me is heading towards - and I also didn't really like his personality when I met with him. The second school is my undergraduate school and is an Internationally ranking top 50-100 school. I really like the department and I get along well with my supervisor. I'm also really interested in his research directions and I feel like I fit in better with his theoretical framework. However, this school hasn't offered me much in terms of funding (I think I'll be able to live comfortably, but I will have to pick up some TAships whereas at the other school I wouldn't have to). I've almost made up my mind about staying at my undergrad school just based on research interest and advisor compatibility but I need some reassurance that I'm making the right choice. It's really hard for me to turn down this high-ranking school with a really great funding offer. :/