Deciding on almost equal programs

[Ericknegi]

I have been accepted to two programs that are very similar, which is making the decision process considerably difficult. Both schools have the same focus on interdisciplinary collaboration amongst different departments in the school. When I interviewed I got similar vibes off the faculty and grad students from both schools and both programs have comparable facilities.

The differences are

School X is located in a little slower town in terms of pace and the cost of living quite affordable

School Y is located in a busier town and the cost of living higher than School X

School X has a competitive stipend but only a 90% tuition waiver and is decently funded

School Y has significant stipend and tuition cover by being a TA and the department is highly funded

School X has a really good research fit and development of techniques relevant to my current research experience and has labs that use experimental methods which I want to get into

School Y has a highly developed department in the experimental methods that I want to get into but is barely starting up the research type that im more familiar with.

My goal in my pursuit of a PHD is to be able to do both quantitative/theoretical (which is my current experience) and experimental research.

So do I go with School X which is more established in what I have experience in and has the experimental labs I want to go into but 90% tuition waiver which will reduce my stipend

or

go with School Y that has a highly established experimental lab and is considerably funded but is starting up programs and labs that could benefit from my current research experience?

[stupidcat]

Have you visited both schools. If so, how do you feel about the professors and fellow grad students?

[Ericknegi]

Have you visited both schools. If so, how do you feel about the professors and fellow grad students?

Yes, I have visited both schools and both sets of faculty are both congenial and affable. The grad students also seem to enjoy being at both places.

[Ericknegi]

With this post, I am looking for just perspectives with the responses on here.

[nhyn]

It's a very personal choice so I'm not sure how hearing other people's opinions will help, but since you asked for different perspectives, here's my take:

- I like busy towns/big cities so I'd go with school Y. Growing up in a big city I was bored out of my mind in my undergrad's small town in the middle of nowhere. I don't have a car either so it was impossible to go anywhere. I wouldn't be so concerned with cost of living - I lived for a month in NYC and found it very manageable if you're wise about it. Big cities are more expensive but also have a wider range of people & income, and offer more options. You also won't have much time to go out anyway, unless you're the type of genius who does no work but still get by. So think long and hard how you like your living environment to be. (plus school Y offers more stipend so that should make up for the difference in cost of living, yes?)

- I've worked in 5 different labs so far and had to learn new methods every single time. It's annoying, for sure, but can also be interesting. School Y IS starting up the type of research you're more familiar with, so I'm sure you'll be highly valued for your expertise in that area. And they DO have the things you want to get into, even if they're new and unfamiliar to you. So I guess it depends on how comfortable you are with new methods and how confident you are at being independent (in working on the stuff you're familiar with) and how important you think the more familiar stuff is to you.

Hope that helps.

[chaospaladin]

What two schools did you get accepted into?