UNC vs. UC Irvine vs. University of Maryland

[Fizzy Bubelach]

Sorry for the repost, but I just found out I got into University of Maryland as well as University of North Carolina Chapel Hill! Before that, I was set to go to UC Irvine.

I saw one poster mentioned UCI's strength in social networks. This is my main interest as well. I'm interested in social networks, social movements, radical groups. Along those lines. Right now, I'm leaning more towards something non-academic post graduation, and I saw someone mentioned that academic jobs are a bit tougher coming out of UCI...I don't think this will be a factor for me.

Here is my pro/con list

UCI:

Pro

-Probably the best in networks right now

-The faculty seems really collaborative both intra- and inter-departmentally

-Weather?

Con

-I'm an east-coaster, so far from home, friends, family

-Far from serious girlfriend who would like a job in DC

UNC

Pro

-Really highly ranked program

-Generally strong department

-Chapel Hill?

Con

-Not sure how much work is being done in social networks. Talked one professor, but not sure how much is actually going on

-Still far from friends, family, etc.

-Chapel Hill?

UMD

Pro

-Ties to government and proximity to DC, where I can see myself working after graduating-Close to friends, family, girlfriend etc.-Seems to have growing faculty in social networks. Spoke to a few professors. There's a network group on campus, data visualization lab, etc.

Con

-Not as known for networks as UCI-Not as highly ranked as UNC I want to make a decision as soon as possible to give others a chance to get off the wait-list. I would be grateful for any input! Tough calls, though I can't complain.

Thank you!

Edited April 5, 2011 by Fizzy Bubelach

[goodmp]

I pulled some data from the NRC using the tool that the Chronicle put together last year.

Carolina is definitely going to be more focused on the pursuit of an academic job following graduation, and will put you in a good position for that. I have no knowledge on how the non-academic job search works for Ph.D.'s in sociology, though there are a few on Carolina's alumni roster. Chapel Hill is definitely a "pro" unless you are dying to be in a city or something along those lines. I have no idea how it compares to College Park or Irvine though.

According to the faculty list of interests, http://sociology.unc...facinterestlist none of them specifically focus on Social Networks -- though I imagine aspects of it are found in other areas. Maybe. It hasn't been an interest of mine, so I am not sure. You may want to take a look through http://sociology.unc...rad/sochandbook to see if that gives you a better idea about the dept.

I am obviously biased in favor of UNC, I think it is a great program.

[Fizzy Bubelach]

Haha! Thanks goodmp,

Thanks for replying and the graph! UNC is absolutely a great program. And the people I've spoken to in the program love it. It's definitely going to be a tough choice, though, I suppose, it's something that, in the end, has to come down to just me. Still, I'm hoping that by posting, I'll get a lot of input and someone will bring something up that I hadn't thought of.

Thank you again for the response! And maybe I'll be seeing you next year in Chapel Hill

I pulled some data from the NRC using the tool that the Chronicle put together last year.

Carolina is definitely going to be more focused on the pursuit of an academic job following graduation, and will put you in a good position for that. I have no knowledge on how the non-academic job search works for Ph.D.'s in sociology, though there are a few on Carolina's alumni roster. Chapel Hill is definitely a "pro" unless you are dying to be in a city or something along those lines. I have no idea how it compares to College Park or Irvine though.

According to the faculty list of interests, http://sociology.unc...facinterestlist none of them specifically focus on Social Networks -- though I imagine aspects of it are found in other areas. Maybe. It hasn't been an interest of mine, so I am not sure. You may want to take a look through http://sociology.unc...rad/sochandbook to see if that gives you a better idea about the dept.

I am obviously biased in favor of UNC, I think it is a great program.

[Fizzy Bubelach]

No one has anymore thoughts? It's a pretty concrete example of Rank vs. Person/Specialty...I know there must be some (strong) opinions out there..;

[Doctor Jimmy]

It is such a personal decision. If you feel like you can only study exactly what you want to do at UC Irvine or Maryland... go there (this would be assuming you have a very concrete idea of what you want to do).

If the above doesn't apply, or you feel like you could pursue similar interests at all places: UNC is the clear choice.

No one has anymore thoughts? It's a pretty concrete example of Rank vs. Person/Specialty...I know there must be some (strong) opinions out there..;

[jacib]

Have you talked with the department/chair at UNC about it? Who they think you'd work with? Did you list anyone specific to work with in your application? Clearly they think you have some potential in the department. Talk with that person, tell them your interests, and ask them if they honestly think this would be a good match for you.

As just one last note, if you are seriously going to consider Irvine, have an honest talk with all the faculty you want to work with and ask them "Look, are you going to be here for a while?" I guess it's an appropriate talk to have with people at any of the institutions, but especially at Irvine considering California's budget issues. My dad's a sociologist too, and I know that when he chaired his department's last faculty search (maybe two years ago), the very first thing he did was look at the UC's to see if there was anyone interesting (it was for a search for someone in a specific sub-discipline). There wasn't, but it says something that he thought the first place to look was the websites of the UCs, you know? I think it might have leveled off a bit since then, but at least when he was telling me this, there was a very real sense that many faculty members would be happy to leave the UC's (especially those not at Berkeley, or if I remember correctly, UCLA, apparently. Those were seen as a little more cushioned from the budget shocks).

Edited April 10, 2011 by jacib