Washington State vs Marquette

[alkaline262]

I received offers from Marquette University(PhD Biology) and Washington State University(PhD Molecular Biosciences). I am leaning heavily towards WSU, but thought I would make a quick post for additional input. I have mulled over this decision on my own for weeks and talked with professors about it.

 

WSU has more research faculty with a greater diversity in research topics. WSU has 30 faculty involved in research, while Marquette only has about 16. 

 

WSU has a larger,newer facility, and the department seems overall better funded. WSU, unlike Marquette, has a sequencing center.

Marquette did offer a better stipend by a few thousand dollars(22K plus summer stipend vs 22K for entire year at WSU). Marquette is also recommending me for a $30,000 fellowship, which would relieve me of TA duty for a year. WSU offered a RA for my first semester, which would only relieve me of TA for my first semester. The point of stipend does not matter much to me, just thought I would include it to cover all the bases. 

 

Both programs waive tuition.

 

I visited both universities, through my eyes, WSU seems a better program, better fit of research, and is in a beautiful area. Does anyone have input or experience? 

[ballerina18]

I live in Pullman, WA and went to WSU for my undergrad (Neuroscience) if you have any questions let me know. I can't really answer your questions because I don't know anything about Marquette.