Harvard... but not my dream school.

[an_internet_person]

Hi again friends!

I am currently deciding between Harvard (full funding) and Berkeley (one year guaranteed, the rest... ambiguous) for a PhD Environmental Health Sciences. Specifically, my interests lie at the nexus of household energy use, air pollution, climate, and health in the developing world.

Harvard is a phenomenal program, with amazing PIs, but none of them are doing exactly what I want to do (just projects that are very similar). It's a great university with arguably the best all-around reputation, and it's situated in stellar little city.

However, Berkeley is my dream school. Great scholars, great reputation, amazing research in my specific field. PHENOMENAL weather, and super close to San Fran nightlife, oceanic rhompings, and outdoorsy stuffs. But the PI can only guarantee one year of funding... and, on an admittedly superficial notw, it's difficult to turn down Harvard.

I already solicited your kind advice on gently asking for more funding (they just don't have it), but now am scrambling to make a decision. Any advice would be greatly appreciated-- especially anyone who knows from experience.

Cheers!

werd

Edited April 9, 2012 by werd814

[rising_star]

How likely is it that you would get funding for subsequent years from Berkeley?

[UnlikelyGrad]

Did your POI mention where he usually gets funding from?

Different field here, but I had the same issue with Davis, my dream school, a few years back. My POI said he usually got his funding from two state-of-California departments. Given the budget crisis in CA at the time (and I don't think it's gotten much better in the last couple of years) I assumed that meant that he wouldn't be getting funding any time soon.

I haven't regretted my decision.

[splitends]

Hey!

I'm making the same decision (Harvard v. Berkeley), though with a very different set of complicating factors. Berkeley doesn't have and never will have Harvard money, but they were reasonable enough with my funding package that I don't see that as a deal breaker. One thing you should do if you haven't already is talk to current PhD students about how they get by. One of the Berkeley students in my department pointed out that everyone makes it, no one drops out or does badly because of lack of funding. That doesn't mean it will be as easy as it would be at an Ivy League school, but it was still reassuring to hear.

But I completely understand the whole superficial not wanting to say no to Harvard thing. There is something very exciting about the prospect of telling people that I go to Harvard. I think you just have to bracket that and realize that it will probably be exciting at first and then maybe again on a few scattered occasions for the next few years, but that going to a school means spending every day there for years, most of which will not include anyone oohing or awing at your prestigious affiliations. When you're out sunbathing on your roof in 70 degree Januaries in Berkeley (I live there now and that's how I spent this last winter) then you probably won't care.

Personally, I'm at the point where I really wanted to want to go to Harvard, but I just think Berkeley is the right choice for me.

Anyway-- good luck with the decision!

[an_internet_person]

Thank you friends for your advice! I have decided to take a chance on Berkeley

Splitends-- Thanks for your commiseration-- it was a very tough decision, but in the end, I just couldn't beat the fit. I decided the gain in prestige was marginal, but the difference in research fit was big (and, ultimately, more important). =)

[lolnumbers]

as someone who moved from the east coast to berkeley last year... you won't regret it. it is amazing out here.

[waterworld]

as someone else so moved TO the east coast from california, you won't regret it! on a side note, berkeley carries a lot of prestige itself in this field of work. sure, UC's don't have ivy league money, but the caliber of work, students, and faculty is second to none. good luck and congratulations!

[juilletmercredi]

What are the chances of you getting funded in subsequent years? How successful have other students in your program been in getting funded beyond their first year? These are the questions I would be asking your PI, and the Director of Graduate Studies if appropriate. My program only provided funding for 3 years, but they have been historically successful wrt their students finding funding for the remaining years through a variety of public and private sources, so I decided to take a risk and come anyway (and indeed, I have funded the remainder of my time here, as has everyone else in my cohort).

Edit: Whoops, didn't see that you had decided already. Congratulations on your decision and I really hope it works out for you!

Edited April 13, 2012 by juilletmercredi

[Olga Childs]

I used to live in San Francisco, and I agree Berkeley is a dream place and a legendary school -- while Harvard, where I've been to campus, is all old-school and uptight, at least by Northern California standards.. Boston is also snobbish and boring. The rest, you know yourself... I can see how one could go to Harvard in similar circumstances -- vanity simply prevails. I would have probably done it. But Berkeley is also Berkeley - I think there is a good chance the money will be there, after all. If you are into Berkeley and the Bay area and such like, I think you should go with your heart ))

[emmm]

I would have said to go with the guaranteed funding, even if it meant going to a slightly less prestigious school/program. I am probably older than most of you, and I know from experience that worrying about money is very stressful. The thought of having to take out large loans would also not be appealing. Still, it sounds as though you might be able to get funded, so I hope it all works out for the best. Congratulations.