UCLA vs. Yale for Bio.Anthro

[radiomars]

Hi all. I'm planning on starting a PhD in biological anthropology this fall. Help me decide?

 

1. UCLA:

- Went there for undergrad, hesitant to go back when I have the chance to go somewhere new, but:

- Excellent program fit.
- Funding so-so, cost of living really high

- Get along with grad students and faculty quite well

- Weather is divine.

- 1-year full fellowship, four years of required TA/RA to meet stipend minimum. Proof of applications to external funding sources required.

- Required courses pre-determined.

 

2. Yale:

- Program fit is good, but department is much smaller.

- Funding much better, cost of living lower.

- Opens up another coast of connections with faculty and students

- Cold winters, small town.

- Small class sizes, lot of individual attention, would be adviser's only student.

- 5+ years of full funding, no TA/RA required.

- Can build own curriculum to fulfill class requirements, in all departments.

 

Things of note:

- I'm not 100% concrete in my research goals; they're fairly broad and malleable.

- UCLA is well-established in this field, Yale is growing toward it.

[PhDreams]

Yale- Then you would be doubling your network, not having to worry about a teaching load, would get the undivided attention from an advisor ( amazing!), opportunity to build own curriculum and explore different topics since you have yet to nail down a topic. Snow men don't get enough credit for being awesome... seriously. You'll get to love the winters.

[radiomars]

Thanks for the input. I think I'm leaning toward Yale, but it's hard to make the decision since UCLA's program is really great.