Yale vs UMD vs Oregon Physics

[FengineScience]

Hello all,

I think this is the right place for this. I have been offered admission to the PhD programs at Yale, UMD, and Oregon for experimental AMO physics. I am currently torn between all three because they all have faculty I would like to work with and align with research topics I am interested in.

Yale jumps out immediately to me and is what most people in my social circle suggest I accept. But I know this is simply on name value because it's an ivy league school. They offered a very generous financial package, seem to have a good atmosphere, and possess good faculty and are an established and old department. The program also comes with a very nice health care package that basically covers everything for you for free. I've been told mixed reviews about the town of New Haven, ranging from it being a cold and crime infested place to it being an artsy and exciting college town. From what I have gathered the food scene seems to be very nice, and similar to what I experienced to my undergrad. There also seems to be enough things to do in the area to keep you entertained. The cost of living is similar to Maryland, though the stipend is more than enough to survive on after Rent, car payment, utilities, etc. Because of how Yale works they require two years of TA work as a part of their curriculum, and so far only one POI has expressed there being openings two years from now. However, I am aware that anything can happen and availability within groups can change from year to year. I also worry if I'll be good enough to survive the graduate expectations at Yale.

University of Maryland is also an incredibly tempting school. It is highly rated in AMO physics and possesses JQI/NIST labs. There are multiple groups that would be great to work with and possess very well known and successful faculty. Their financial package is also generous, though not as large as Yale. The healthcare covers most things at a modest cost and would be affordable with the offered stipend. I have experienced the DC area previously and College Park seems to be a bit more expensive than New Haven with less to do. Unless you're willing to drive a bit into other areas of the DMV, there isn't much to do in the College Park area. The food scene is also quite weak around UMD. I would likely squeak by with the stipend and be able to survive during my time at UMD as long as I am more frugal. However, Maryland and Virgina do offer a lot more nature experiences than what I can find in Connecticut so far. I have been offered a confirmed position with a group I am highly interested in, so unlike Yale, I would not have to worry about finding a group to work with. I would not be required to teach either and have the choice to do research immediately. Like Yale I also worry if I'll be good enough to survive the graduate expectations, though not as bad as I fear at Yale.

Between these two it seems like UMD would enable me to do interesting and beneficial research immediately and could open opportunities through NIST/JQI, but Yale could potentially open up future opportunities as well through its Ive league prestige, faculty, and alumni. UMD seems to be "newer" due to its partnership with NIST, where as Yale seems to be more "old-fashioned".

Oregon is the last school I'm torn over. It certainly doesn't hold as much prestige as the other two in my field of interest, but it's nothing to scoff at either. The group I'm interested in and that has expressed interest in me is a group that contains multiple NIST Boulder/JILA/JQI alumni and a Nobel laureate. Their financial package was not as generous as the other two and offered the standard amount their university gives. The healthcare package is similar to UMD. Although the stipend size isn't a big deal to me, this could be a problem when factoring in the cost of living in the area. It is certainly not as bad as the East Coast, but compared to the stipend amount I may have to live very frugally to break even. However, Oregon is closer to where I did my undergrad and the culture, activities, nature, etc are what I grew up with and are therefore very comforting and familiar. Most of my social circle is also near the area, which is an important aspect to my mental health. Like UMD, I appear to have a for sure group to work with, and unlike the other two I am not as hesitant about my ability to be successful at Oregon.

I apologize for the rather long winded post, but I am hoping people can help me decide with advice/experience/opinions they have on the schools. Especially from other physics people.

[malliwatts]

Hi!

I have some opinions - although not sure if they will be at all helpful.

I also applied for physics PhD programs and was accepted into Yale as well as another school not as highly ranked. To me the decision is a real consideration. The name recognition of Yale is certainly a positive factor - but honestly lower on my list of reasons for attending. I suppose I'm thinking of certain aspects as being weighted more than others. For me - the most weight is upon the research experiences I will be afforded and next my quality of life. There is a PI at each of these schools that I would love to work with but Yale has more physicists in that field (not AMO). So I think it would be better for me to go to the place where there is a greater chance to continue the research I love.

I interned at a national lab and the consensus amongst the physicists there was that it was better to have a PI that was newer, perhaps an associate professor over someone more established. The idea was that they would have more time for you, more direct contact (instead of dealing with post docs), you would learn and accomplish more and most likely would be publishing more papers. I think this is an important consideration when making your decision. If you are continuing with physics, I imagine it's better to be established and well regarded in your field than come out of a high ranking school. As I'm in the same boat as you (just starting grad school), I don't know for sure if this is true but I do believe the advice I was given by senior physicists.

I would say who you work with and your research experience trumps every other factor especially if you will be comfortable with the atmosphere of each of these respective schools. I am fairly certain I will be choosing Yale because (heavily weighted 1) it will be good for the kind physics I would like to do,  (2) I think I will be more comfortable on their campus due to the diversity (physical and intellectual) of the students that attend, (3) they offer a better stipend and health insurance which is perhaps a bigger factor for me as I have a child, and finally (less weight) - yeah it's Yale. I guess my opinion take away is go to the place with the best research fit where you will also physically be happy. Mental health is important. It's a really personal decision and probably your social circle says to go to Yale because of the strength of its name. But it seems wiser to seek the advice of physicists in your field (maybe your recommenders).  Honestly, you are VERY lucky! You have choices! Although I know these decisions can be agonizing.

Lastly, you will do great anywhere. I am confident that you will be able to survive the graduate expectations at Yale or UMD - the schools wouldn't have admitted you if they didn't think so. I wouldn't worry about that part.

Good luck!