Dartmouth vs Princeton (mol bio)

[bio2009]

Help!! I cannot decide where to go...Which school has a stronger molecular bio/biochemistry grad program? which school has more funding and better PIs and where do students obtain better Post-docs?

[mtlve]

I worked in a lab at Dartmouth for awhile. It is a nice place, but there is nothing to do in Hanover and it is expensive for a small town. The grad school also likes to keep people around forever! I know a lot of people that took 7+ years to graduate! That being said all of the students are very happy, and I think this may explain why people took forever to graduate (most of them did not want to leave). Dartmouth also is not a research powerhouse. I do not think Princeton is either, but it may be a little better than Dartmouth. I know a few people at Princeton and they all seem happy with their decision. Otherwise I really know nothing about the school.

No offense to Dartmouth undergrad alumni and students, but I was not impressed with the undergrad academics at Dartmouth. (I was happy that I went to my LAC)! I can agree that Duke has a strong undergrad program, so I am not just hating on the 'elite' schools. If you are interested in teaching, you may want to consider this.

[curious zygote]

Well, according to the US news and world reports for grad programs in the biological sciences:

Dartmouth = #34

Princeton= #12

(source: http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandr ... bio/search)

Both up there. But I'm sure you know this I wouldn't give this too much weight, it changes every year, still, the numbers do look better for Princeton on this front. I would ask each school for stats on job placement after graduation. In terms of which has better PIs, it depends on what you're specifically interested in. I would look to see which school has more profs doing what you like, then maybe try to arrange a phone chat with one or two of them, do they seem like nice people? Would you want to work with them?

Good luck!