Temple v CUNY v Albany

[cantdecideyet]

I've received all my decisions, and I cannot makeup my mind. I have been rejection from all the better ranked programs I applied to.

Temple and Albany offered me some sort of funding that's barely enough to cover all the living expenses (16k). I might have to take loans. My bad health and walk body require frequent doctor's office visits.

CUNY was my first choice, but they only offered a tuition waiver.

I'm worried about attending a low ranked program like Temple and Albany and not getting job after graduation.

My GRE score is 320 and I had decent recommendation letters. Should I retake GRE and apply again next year? I already have a master's degree.

[cantdecideyet]

I posted the same question in the sociology forum, but decided to post here as well to get opinion from people who are not in sociology.

[maepf]

If it helps you to have a full picture of Albany, we (the phd students) are unionized and those who receive funding through the University are able to get GSEU healthcare (it is different if you are funded externally). As someone who has a chronic illness and also frequents many doctors, this health care is the best plan I've ever seen in my life. I've had an ER trip that racked up something like $8,000 that I paid $25 for out of pocket and countless doctors appointments that cost a $10 copay only- no deductible to meet. Of course these amounts add up as well but it is significantly cheaper than meeting a multi-hundred dollar deductible. A caveat is if you have specific doctors you see in another state or another area of the state, they potentially may not be covered by the insurance but I've found every type of doctor I need covered within a few miles of me.

Let me know if I can answer any other questions about this for you! I'm in a different department but I can try to help.