EEEEEK!! I need some serious decision help!

[Catch22alex]

Hi Guys & Gals,

So I've been ripping my hair out over my grad school choices. Right now I'm choosing between BU Pharmacology and OHSU Behavioral Neuroscience. I'll mostly be doing very similar research (drug addiction & abuse) however BU has an internship and from what I see folks trained in pharmacology are in high demand. I probably liked the graduate students at OHSU more but the professors between both places were about a wash (all seemed super nice). The research at OHSU is fairly focused but all in areas I am interested in while I would say BU has a bit more diversity in their research but still a good group of people doing research that interests me. Living expenses should about even out when you consider housing costs vs the stipend amount. I like portland more as a city but I have a gut feeling BU is better career wise.

Anyone have any insight?

[Lantern]

I wish I did have some advice. I am agonizing over this myself. It is easy to read someone else's post and say, "yeah, go where it would be better for your career". But, if it were that simple I wouldn't be agonizing over it myself. I do think happiness is really important, but it's easy to speculate where you'd be happiest, and impossible to know!

[Phyl]

For what it's worth, my best friend is at OHSU doing a dual MD/PhD, she went in already having a Masters in Neuroscience and her interest is in drug addiction. She's very happy, likes the program and the area.

[Catch22alex]

what would u guys do?

Driving myself crazy

[dzk]

Personally, as a neuro guy myself, I would actually choose OHSU... it's very well known for drug addiction research. Also, I'd be pretty surprised if living expenses even out, even with the differences in the stipends, because housing in Boston is pretty outrageous.

[shebelle]

And another... I am in a similar spot Emory vs UCLA. I applied to the idp neuro program at BU and was didapointed. I live in boston and work for Harvard/MGH, most people I have talked to have said not so good things about BU as a program. I thought the faculty were nice the program seemed good, a little disorganized but not heavy focused on student success, which is a bummer. I don't know anything about OHSU. so I am not helpful there. If you want info about living in Boston, I can help you with that just let me know. As for the info you provided, why is BU a better career move? Do people not do as well from OHSU? It seems like you want OHSU and if they are doing the work you want, why not? Have you looked into the number of faculty publications at each institution, years to graduate etc?

[Catch22alex]

And another... I am in a similar spot Emory vs UCLA. I applied to the idp neuro program at BU and was didapointed. I live in boston and work for Harvard/MGH, most people I have talked to have said not so good things about BU as a program. I thought the faculty were nice the program seemed good, a little disorganized but not heavy focused on student success, which is a bummer. I don't know anything about OHSU. so I am not helpful there. If you want info about living in Boston, I can help you with that just let me know. As for the info you provided, why is BU a better career move? Do people not do as well from OHSU? It seems like you want OHSU and if they are doing the work you want, why not? Have you looked into the number of faculty publications at each institution, years to graduate etc?

well for one, I feel like a degree in pharmacology would open me up to more than a degree in behavioral neuroscience and they want you to do an internship in pharma at BU after your first year. 2: both of them said 5.5-6yrs to graduate 3: more people I feel like I could work with at OHSU and they are full professors as opposed to assistant professors at BU. I could be putting all my eggs in one basket as the two professors I want to work with at BU are a couple. However there are more diverse research opportunities from BU so if I decide that addiction research isn't right for me i'd have more options

[Catch22alex]

Personally, as a neuro guy myself, I would actually choose OHSU... it's very well known for drug addiction research. Also, I'd be pretty surprised if living expenses even out, even with the differences in the stipends, because housing in Boston is pretty outrageous.

well its btwn 25,5 in portland and 30,5 in boston... ohsu goes up 1.5k after quals boston 1k after quals

[Catch22alex]

well its btwn 25,5 in portland and 30,5 in boston... ohsu goes up 1.5k after quals boston 1k after quals

also to add, state income taxes in oregon are a lot higher as well (9% vs 5.3% in mass)

What would you guys choose? Pharmacology w/ internship and possible better placement or Behav Neuro with less sure placement?

[ANP]

also to add, state income taxes in oregon are a lot higher as well (9% vs 5.3% in mass)

What would you guys choose? Pharmacology w/ internship and possible better placement or Behav Neuro with less sure placement?

OHSU.

I study behavioral neuroscience, but from an evolutionary perspective. I currently live in Portland. I LOVE it here, absolutely love it. It is in an incredible city to live in. I am very excited to move on to my new graduate program, but sooo sad to leave PDX. 25.5 is more than enough to get by and live happily here. I don't think you need to worry about income tax. They level out everything by having NO SALES TAX, so all food, supplies, etc. that you buy are exactly the price on the sticker. It saves you lots when you compare the grocery bills. You can find a great apartment out here on that stipend and live comfortably.

The researchers at OHSU in behavioral neuroscience have an EXCELLENT reputation. I am friends with a fellow that might very well be one of your advisers, and he is absolutely the nicest guy. The people there are great and very welcoming. I don't think you will have *any* problems being placed.

I think it comes down to the department in this case. Even though you are doing drug addiction, pharmacology and behavioral neuroscience are very different degrees in my mind. Is pharmacology really want you want?! I would personally choose behavioral neuroscience in a heartbeat, but that is because I am biased towards my own research.

Anyways, I know which program I would choose. I know everyone is different. I know everyone has different values, so good luck on your decision!

[Catch22alex]

Well, I feel more comfortable doing behavioral neuroscience (both in research and in classes) but I can't help but feel that pharmacologists are more highly sought after.

As a side question, what part of portland do you live in? I didn't get to check out any of the east quadrants.

[ANP]

Hmm... well, I don't have any insight into this pharmacology business. I suppose you could be right. I still say go for the research that is fun and exciting and that you are the happiest about. In the end, that is what matters in my book. It's not like you can't make enough money to live happily as a neuroscientist. I think its kind of hard to help out on this one because it depends on where your priorities lie. Good luck, in any case! I am sure you will choose the one that fits you best.

Yes, let me know if you have any PDX questions. I live in the NW near Washington Park/Forest Park, primarily because I am hike-o-holic. Forest Park is my favorite place in Portland. The SE side consists primarily of the hip/hippy/punk/funk folk that people often associate with Portland. Rent is WAY cheaper in this section of town, and definitely the best restaurants for any alternative eaters, i.e. vegan/gluten-free/etc. I would actually love living in the SE, mainly because the food is so dan good (especially for someone who is allergic to everything). Lots of amazing music venues, bars, coffee shops, nature, adventures, and great people in this city. If you like coffee and/or beer, you will thrive here. I know of several people that moved here specifically to brew beer and roast coffee with the best of them. If you do so decide to head this direction, I suggest you manage to fit all of the following into your first day: Stumptown Coffee, VOODOO DOUGHNUTS!!, Powells, and a slice at Roccos Pizza... maybe a small hike up to the Japanese Tea Gardens while you're at it.

I could go on and on and on and on...

(Can you tell how crushed I am to leave this city?!?!)

That's just me. Which are you leaning towards?!

[ANP]

I just reread this. I didn't mean to be pushy. I meant to go with what makes you happiest *all around*. If you will be happier in the long run with your career as a pharmacologist, choose that path, and vice versa. Either way, congratulations on having such great options!

[Catch22alex]

Hmm... well, I don't have any insight into this pharmacology business. I suppose you could be right. I still say go for the research that is fun and exciting and that you are the happiest about. In the end, that is what matters in my book. It's not like you can't make enough money to live happily as a neuroscientist. I think its kind of hard to help out on this one because it depends on where your priorities lie. Good luck, in any case! I am sure you will choose the one that fits you best.

Yes, let me know if you have any PDX questions. I live in the NW near Washington Park/Forest Park, primarily because I am hike-o-holic. Forest Park is my favorite place in Portland. The SE side consists primarily of the hip/hippy/punk/funk folk that people often associate with Portland. Rent is WAY cheaper in this section of town, and definitely the best restaurants for any alternative eaters, i.e. vegan/gluten-free/etc. I would actually love living in the SE, mainly because the food is so dan good (especially for someone who is allergic to everything). Lots of amazing music venues, bars, coffee shops, nature, adventures, and great people in this city. If you like coffee and/or beer, you will thrive here. I know of several people that moved here specifically to brew beer and roast coffee with the best of them. If you do so decide to head this direction, I suggest you manage to fit all of the following into your first day: Stumptown Coffee, VOODOO DOUGHNUTS!!, Powells, and a slice at Roccos Pizza... maybe a small hike up to the Japanese Tea Gardens while you're at it.

I could go on and on and on and on...

(Can you tell how crushed I am to leave this city?!?!)

That's just me. Which are you leaning towards?!

I'm leaning OHSU at the moment due to the stipend/cost of living ratio... All the places in boston at 1500 or under look pretty slummy for my tastes. I loved portland when I was there and I actually love that constant drizzle. We took a hike thru forest park crossed into washington park up to pittick mansion which was pretty awesome. I have a pretty nice bike so biking places is something I'd seriously consider at all times. Unfortunately for us, the trek the graduate students and the interviewees took to voodoo after a night of drinking came up empty handed (they were out of doughnuts!!!!).

I noticed there seem to be little "neighborhoods" within the quadrants... any you recommend or recommend me stay away from?

[ANP]

Hey Catch,

How's the decision-making going? I see you may be considering some new options as well?

As far as neighborhood or quadrants, it really just depends on your tastes. PDX has a neighborhood for everyone. Downtown/Pearl District is great if that fits your kind of lifestyle, or the NW/SW if you want to live near more parks/hiking (Forest Park, Goose Hollow, Nob Hill, Southwest Hills), Alberta Arts (one of my favorites!!) has great eats/lower rent/great "artsy scene". Other great areas (again, depending on your tastes): Hawthorne district, Belmont district, Sellwood, St. Johns...

As an overgeneralization, rent on the west side of the river is cheaper than rent on the east side of the river, and the west side is safer... but again, it depends on the neighborhood. I know many, many people that live on one of the aforementioned neighborhoods on the east side and LOVE it. There are lots of great places to live on both sides of the river!

Good luck

[Catch22alex]

Hey Catch,

How's the decision-making going? I see you may be considering some new options as well?

As far as neighborhood or quadrants, it really just depends on your tastes. PDX has a neighborhood for everyone. Downtown/Pearl District is great if that fits your kind of lifestyle, or the NW/SW if you want to live near more parks/hiking (Forest Park, Goose Hollow, Nob Hill, Southwest Hills), Alberta Arts (one of my favorites!!) has great eats/lower rent/great "artsy scene". Other great areas (again, depending on your tastes): Hawthorne district, Belmont district, Sellwood, St. Johns...

As an overgeneralization, rent on the west side of the river is cheaper than rent on the east side of the river, and the west side is safer... but again, it depends on the neighborhood. I know many, many people that live on one of the aforementioned neighborhoods on the east side and LOVE it. There are lots of great places to live on both sides of the river!

Good luck

Don't want to say for sure just yet, but barring any major issues... I'm accepting the offer for admission at OHSU on monday. Effing excited to move to Portland!!!!!

So far I'm thinking either Downtown/Pearl or SE.... looking for the right place. I've even found some in North Portland that I thought were awesome..