Rutgers vs NCSU (statistics PhD)

[0906gre]

Both without funding.

Boyfriend in northeastern United States, 60 mile from Rutgers.

It seems that NCSU is more active these years and US News ranks it quite high, while Rutgers seems to have more prestigious professors and is much closer to my boyfriend. Making this decision is nearly driving me crazy!

I would like to know everything about these two schools and programs, academic atmosphere, employment, funding, everything.

Thanks a lot!

[nekopilot02]

I don't know that much about Rutgers (except their bioinformatics is pretty awesome).

NCSU is an enormously large statistics department but there is also an insane amount of resources like SAMSI, RTP research facilities, close to both UNC and Duke (my department!!) which have great stats departments too. Raleigh is a pretty good city to live in. There is a lot to do but it's also very easy to get away from 'city life'. Especially without funding I think that living in NC would be cheaper than NY. I think the only drawback is that the graduate program is very large. Despite this, I know that the department works really hard to be as personal as possible. Hope this helps!

[0906gre]

Lots of thanks! I am also considering of searching for financial aid for my second year and afterwards. Is it easier in a large program whose professors are mostly young or a small program whose professors are more prestigious and elder?

Besides, I am a little scared of five years of long distance love...I really wish that my choice will not have bad influence on our relationship.

Again thank you very much!

I don't know that much about Rutgers (except their bioinformatics is pretty awesome).

NCSU is an enormously large statistics department but there is also an insane amount of resources like SAMSI, RTP research facilities, close to both UNC and Duke (my department!!) which have great stats departments too. Raleigh is a pretty good city to live in. There is a lot to do but it's also very easy to get away from 'city life'. Especially without funding I think that living in NC would be cheaper than NY. I think the only drawback is that the graduate program is very large. Despite this, I know that the department works really hard to be as personal as possible. Hope this helps!