Yale vs Rockefeller for biochem/biophys

[chemgoddess]

hellllp!!! I'm currently deciding between yale mb&b and rockefeller for a phd in biochem/biophys. I really liked both places but can't decide! they're so different.

rockefeller pros: cheap housing in nyc, lots of insane faculty including a real idol of mine, freedom to take whatever classes etc you want, maybe more prestigious

cons: no undergrads to teach (and I think I might like to be a liberal arts prof), lack of structure might not be good for me, intense/sink or swim reputation, only scientists there

yale pros: students and profs all seemed super friendly/really liked each other, profs seemed like they put more effort into mentoring, teaching is mandatory and they seem to give you lots of prep for it, community of academics doing all kinds of things (easier to take an econ or ed class there), more school spirit,

cons: New Haven.. profs were great, but possibly not as closely aligned with my interests (although those could always change), would need a car to get around and I don't have one

[NeuroNerd86]

From what I heard (from people who work/study/interviewed at either of those places), Yale might be better for a PhD student, whereas the Rockefeller is great for getting your postdoc at (exactly due to the sink or swim attitude).

[Tall Chai Latte]

Second to Neuronerd. My current boss did a post doc at Rockefeller and he is really good at what he does (he's an NMR spectroscopist). Go there for post doc..

[AlexM451]

For what it's worth, I just got back from interviewing at Rockefeller and it was by far the most disorganized interview weekend I've attended. My faculty meeting schedule was changed 4 times because all the faculty were so busy, and I couldn't help but think this might reflect their attitude toward grad students. The housing and city environment are awesome, but I just feel like I wouldn't get very good mentorship at there.