What would you do?

[NeuroTU]

Need non biased advice on picking between 2 programs for Neuro PhD. Thanks!

Choice A:

 

1. Top 50 institution 

2. Top 20 in field of interest for PhD

3, Went there for undergraduate and masters (so wary of staying too long, definitely would leave for post doc)

4. Know PI very well and like very well

5. PI very well funded

6. Love city and have a lot of friends here

7. Has research I'm knowledgeable in and I could finish in 4 years

8. smaller to medium small size program

 

Choice B:

 

1. Top 50 institution

2. Top 10 (if even, top 5)  in field of interest for PhD (but not expertise, new field for me)

3. New school in new city (close to beach!) (adventure?)

4. Finish in more like 5-6 years

5. PI not locked down, plenty of labs in field of interest but not one I've locked in on

6. Facilities beautiful and very state of the art 

7. Small to medium size program

8. Good sports!

 

 

Feel free to ask questions but I need advice. Left off names to avoid name bias as both are very well known. 

 

[acetylcholine]

Need non biased advice on picking between 2 programs for Neuro PhD. Thanks!

Choice A:

 

2. Top 20 in field of interest for PhD

3, Went there for undergraduate and masters (so wary of staying too long, definitely would leave for post doc)

4. Know PI very well and like very well

5. PI very well funded

6. Love city and have a lot of friends here

7. Has research I'm knowledgeable in and I could finish in 4 years

 

Choice B:

 

2. Top 10 (if even, top 5)  in field of interest for PhD (but not expertise, new field for me)

3. New school in new city (close to beach!) (adventure?)

4. Finish in more like 5-6 years

5. PI not locked down, plenty of labs in field of interest but not one I've locked in on

6. Facilities beautiful and very state of the art 

 

 

Feel free to ask questions but I need advice. Left off names to avoid name bias as both are very well known. 

 

I have deleted their common characteristics.  Also, nobody gives a crap about sports.

 

How are the facilities at your old institution?

 

People are going to look at you real wonky if you go to one institution for all three degrees.

[floridabio]

No one cares about sports? ^   Such a broad and arrogant statement.  While they obviously won't benefit you professionally, sports can very well enhance a your experience in grad school. Leave that to NeuroTU to decide. 

 

My advice would be to choose school B. Yes, school A may be a safer option as you are more familiar with your POI, department, and campus/city in general.   But since you have stuck with the same school for bachelors and masters, I think you would benefit from diversifying your academic experience.  Meet new people, live in a new city, learn new areas to research.  I think it's a no-brainer. And the fact that it's higher ranked doesn't hurt.