Best problem I could have - too many good choices!

[Minkyboodle]

I'm looking for a PhD program in the biomedical science / genetics / biology field and plan to focus on genetics integrated with mathematical biology.

April 15 is coming up here in two weeks and I can't decide where to go. I applied to 6 PhD programs and was accepted to five of them. (I was hoping to get into even just one or two of them) So I guess I have the best problem possible - choosing between great schools that are all highly ranked and all offer full funding. I thought some outside opinions might be helpful so any advice you all might have would be appreciated.

My choices:

UCSF

Berkeley

UCSD

WashU

NYU

I think I'm between Berkeley and UCSF more so than the other schools. I like the bay area and really got a good feeling from both of these places when I visited. Berkeley has more math and physics interaction, but UCSF has amazing funding (buildings themselves are incredible) powerful reputation in medicine and is more focused on medical research. I got a fellowship at Berkeley on top of full funding which will look nice on my CV and makes me think they especially want me there.

So one question is, Would it be silly to choose Berkeley over UCSF?

I'm still considering the other schools too, so any input about those would be much appreciated. They are all great places and this is one of the hardest choices I've ever had to make. Thanks for any advice!!

And good luck with everyone else's decisions as well!

[GutLogic]

Wow, that is a great predicament to be in! Congratulations! It looks like you can't make a bad choice at this point...

Since from what you've said, you would be happy at either Berkeley or UCSF, I don't think it's silly at all to choose Berkeley for the fellowship. As long as both programs would allow you to do the research you want to do, I don't think it matters too much if they're more or less focused on certain things. As long as they have some people you can work with, you can make things happen once you get there. As for funding, I think if you have already been guaranteed funding, it doesn't matter that much how well-funded the schools are beyond that. From your description, the only advantage one of them really has over the other is Berkeley with the fellowship. However, if there are other factors making you lean towards UCSF, then that's another matter.

Good luck with your decision!

[soramimicake]

I don't think it's silly at all to choose Berkeley over UCSF! Both are really good schools and I feel like once you get into the category of "really good school" there's not really a one is better than the other type of thing. I'm in the biological sciences too, and when I decided, it came down to the one that I really felt at home at and the one that I was already excited about and knew that I'd be excited about all summer, even if I turned down a school that might be considered "better". I'm not sure that's really the exact situation you're in, but what I'm trying to say is that it's not silly to choose one school over another if it's the one that YOU want to go to.

[Minkyboodle]

Thank you both for your feedback. I'm still deciding between UCB and UCSF, but it's nice to be reminded that they are both great schools and it's really a win-win.

[beanbagchairs]

Hi MinkyBoodle,

Congrats on those admits! My Gosh, you just collected all of the good ones. As other have said, I dont think you can go wrong with either UCSF or Berkeley. If you want Berkeley, go for it!.

[kaza]

Berkeley has Lior Pachter who might be a good fit for your interests. At this stage, I would carefully consider the faculty at each school. Berkeley is top ranked in mathematics and biology so you can't go wrong. And like you said, UCSF is more medically oriented... It's a tough decision, but i would go with Berkeley (personal preference) and certainly don't let the fellowship influence your decision

Edit: Also Lior Pachter 's da bomb so if you're interested in his lab, i highly highly highly recommend going to Berkeley

Edited April 10, 2011 by kaza