Cincinnati vs. USC vs. Wisconsin

[urbsroma]

These are the three choices I have to decide between. My interests lie in Roman Social/Cultural History with an emphasis on approaching these issues from a theoretically informed/interdisciplinary (literature and material culture) vantage point.

Any suggestions which department would best meet my research needs as well as provide the best path towards landing a good faculty position?

[urbsroma]

Anyone?

[semper_ubi_sub_ubi]

Objectively, I think Wisconsin is probably the better program, at least from the literature side. Madison can be beastly cold (but it also has the largest open-air farmer's market in the U.S.), and I'm not sure I would have the strength to turn down sunny L.A. to spend six years in frigid Madison. Assuming getting a job is important to you, I would inquire about job placement over the past three years -- I suspect Wisconsin will probably be stronger. I know Cincinnati has a great archaeology program, but I'm not sure they are placing a lot of philologists into top posts. I know nothing about USC, except for the fact that they lost Amy Richlin a few years ago.

Have you been to visit the schools yet? What was your sense of the respective departments? I would go somewhere that you think matches not only your academic interests, but also your social interests. Don't let the rankings make the decision for you, unless you think you could be equally happy at all three places. You're about to commit six years of your life to a grad. program, so be sure to make a decision that is right for you.

Good luck, and congrats on having some great options!