Am I Stupid To Turn Out Top Ranked Program Because of Location?

[jlaser]

I'm deciding between two schools right now. The first one is #1 or #2 in my field. Intellectually - the fit is great. And it places its graduates its in TT programs I could see myself working in.  The only thing is - its in the same city I went to undergrad in (not same school) and have lived in for most my life. The past few years especially, I've really begun to dislike this city (the people, the feel, the density, the noise, etc) Full disclosure: I've had a lot of negative things happen the past few years as well so being fully honest there is this negative association and urge to get away and start my life somewhere else. It's childish but it is what it is. Being here is comfortable because its familiar, even if it is a ambivalent comfort, if that makes sense. 

On the other hand is the second school, it is still top ranked (probably because its an elite ivy league institution) but not seen as on the cutting edge of anything. The fit isint as great as the other school, but still good. More issues with the program here. Nothing intolerable, but just some things I'll have to grapple with. They are giving me slightly more money. And the cost of living is cheaper. I'll have a campus, wide open green spaces, and be able to "go somewhere" specifically to do my doctorate. 

For those of you who had gone through this before - how much of a factor did location play for you? Was it important to leave your "nest" in doing your doctorate? Did you wish you had stayed? Did it seem to matter and in the end you were so busy that you hardly cared about location? Do I just need a therapist instead of a move lol? 

[mitochondria_1]

I am also probably turning down a top rank program due to its location. I know the program is #2 in biomedical sciences but I do not like the location at all. I love the program itself as it is unique and there is lots of support for the students to do well plus there are many opportunities to explore multiple careers. But, I will be pretty unhappy living in that city for 4-6 years.

I think if you feel you will be unhappy in a specific location, you should put that into consideration when deciding where to go. At the end, if you are not happy you many not be as productive as you would want to be so it may affect your well-being and the way you perform in class and in lab.

[Heisenbergg]

Sounds like a pros and cons list will help you visualize the right choice.

Personally, I completed my Master's degree at the same university as my Bachelor's, which did suck. And I am about to start a PhD program in a different state; the city where it is located is relatively small but I have decided to live in the nearby city and commute. It'll be an extra 10-15 minute commute but to be in a populated area is important to me. Could you possibly do the same for your #1 school? Being in a program that is a "great fit" is the ultimate goal.

 

But you do have to be happy when it comes to your personal life. If there is no way you can be associated with that city, then you should probably choose #2. 

Edited March 24, 2020 by Heisenbergg

[anxiousinternational]

1 hour ago, mitochondria_1 said:

I am also probably turning down a top rank program due to its location. I know the program is #2 in biomedical sciences but I do not like the location at all. I love the program itself as it is unique and there is lots of support for the students to do well plus there are many opportunities to explore multiple careers. But, I will be pretty unhappy living in that city for 4-6 years.

I think if you feel you will be unhappy in a specific location, you should put that into consideration when deciding where to go. At the end, if you are not happy you many not be as productive as you would want to be so it may affect your well-being and the way you perform in class and in lab.

Which programs are you deciding? the #2 program.

[mitochondria_1]

@anxiousinternationalI am deciding between Johns Hopkins #2, NYU Sackler, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and University of Virginia. All in biomedical sciences except UVA, UVA is in biology. 

Edited March 25, 2020 by mitochondria_1

[IEN2020]

On ‎3‎/‎24‎/‎2020 at 12:12 PM, jlaser said:

I'm deciding between two schools right now. The first one is #1 or #2 in my field. Intellectually - the fit is great. And it places its graduates its in TT programs I could see myself working in.  The only thing is - its in the same city I went to undergrad in (not same school) and have lived in for most my life. The past few years especially, I've really begun to dislike this city (the people, the feel, the density, the noise, etc) Full disclosure: I've had a lot of negative things happen the past few years as well so being fully honest there is this negative association and urge to get away and start my life somewhere else. It's childish but it is what it is. Being here is comfortable because its familiar, even if it is a ambivalent comfort, if that makes sense. 

On the other hand is the second school, it is still top ranked (probably because its an elite ivy league institution) but not seen as on the cutting edge of anything. The fit isint as great as the other school, but still good. More issues with the program here. Nothing intolerable, but just some things I'll have to grapple with. They are giving me slightly more money. And the cost of living is cheaper. I'll have a campus, wide open green spaces, and be able to "go somewhere" specifically to do my doctorate. 

For those of you who had gone through this before - how much of a factor did location play for you? Was it important to leave your "nest" in doing your doctorate? Did you wish you had stayed? Did it seem to matter and in the end you were so busy that you hardly cared about location? Do I just need a therapist instead of a move lol? 

I think this is a difficult decision and I would say you should do like another suggested and make a pros and cons list.  The thing I would put more weight on is your ability to maintain your mental health.  Do you think the issues with your number 2 school will be detrimental to your education and personal career path?  Are there ways to work around them?  If you are not happy in your current community, I suspect that will carry over to how happy you will feel committing to the community for another couple years.  Hope you are able to make your choice based on what is best for you and that you have a wonderful experience!