Choosing Neuroscience vs Stem Cell Biology Programs

[dopamine_machine]

Hi all,

I wanted to ask for your opinions on what type of programs I should choose.  I am interested in stem cell models for neuropsychiatric disorders; thus, the research is somewhat interdisciplinary depending on the school.  I have a pretty strong background in this field with approximately 3 years and a few pending publications. 

Upon researching graduate schools, I have found that I am interested in faculty in multiple departments.  For example, I was looking at two programs at NYU (Sackler): 'Neuroscience & Physiology' and 'Stem Cell Biology.'  While looking at both programs, I saw that many faculty were available as mentors in both departments.  However, I actually found that the stem cell department had more researchers whose work I was interested in conducting.  Another complicating variable in this situation is that NYU 'Neuroscience & Physiology' requires the GRE, unlike the 'Stem Cell Biology' program.  I have yet to take the GRE and was planning on taking it solely for my NYU application, as none of my other programs require it.

Would having a 'Stem Cell Biology' PhD be detrimental to my ability to score a Neuroscience postdoctoral position after my PhD, or is the work I publish in my PhD more important? Additionally, if my background and SOP are heavily neuroscience-based, which is my general college background, will this negatively impact my application to the 'Stem Cell Biology' program at NYU? If you were in/are in a similar predicament, what would you do and why? 

Thanks for your help

Edited April 18, 2020 by dopamine_machine