SUNY Albany vs. SUNY Stony Brook?

[unfortunate]

SUNY Albany Biomedical sciences program or SUNY Stony Brook Molecular Genetics and Microbiology?

I'm so confused!

 

Albany: The faculty is really lovely, they paid my travel expenses (from Europe) to come and see the department and have meetings with several PIs in person; the department is also part of the NY state department of Public Health (I guess it's positive?); got a 22k stipend; 2 PIs do my 'dream research';

BUT: after the 1st year I will be completely funded by my mentor; 1 of the 2 PIs have funds for 3 years (is that enough to complete a PhD?), but there's one current student who could possibly join his lab (so he couldn't take another student in that case); the second PI doesn't have funds at the moment; both PIs said they are very optimistic about the grants they are applying this year and should have funds next year; I'm not very interested in anyone else and my biggest nightmare would be that I would end up in neurosciences or similar due to the fund availability; this program is nowhere in the ratings so it's hard to judge on a global scale; also hardly any external/university funds are available for new + international student to work in the desired lab.

 

Stony Brook: the program is ranked at 55th place (which isn't bad I guess); the university has a reputation; the majority of the research is the area of my secondary interest (unlike the 2 PIs in Albany); 27k stipend for as many years as I need;

BUT: When I was interviewed, I didn't feel like they got to know me well enough; I have never visited the department;

 

Basically, I would really love to go to Albany, but if I don't get to work with one of the 2 PIs I might regret my decision. Stony brook is my 'safe' choice, it's more financially secure even though the research areas aren't as exciting. If I decide to risk and attend Albany, how is its reputation in the field? Would I be better off just attending SB?

Can anyone advise me? Thank you in advance

p.s. I don't care about the living area, education and future perspectives are my main priority.

[ERR_Alpha]

I'm from NY and got my undergrad from a SUNY. I would say as far as reputation goes, Stonybrook has a better one in terms of sciences. However, Albany isn't too far behind. Albany is good if you want to stay in the area- the nanotechnology/science field is really up and coming in Albany. I would say Stonybrook would have a more far-reaching reputation.

Personally, the financial situation and research situation at Albany would scare me. At the school I'm committing too, I have five options of PIs. Two seems like it's cutting it close. However, I think it's really up to you whether doing your first choice research is worth that risk. You seem fairly insterested in the Stonybrook research- maybe email a few PIs to see? Or look into if there are some PIs at Albany doing your secondary interest?

Let me know if you have any more questions! I grew up in the Albany area.

[kimmibeans]

Don't go to Stony Brook! Reject it so I can take your place! (Wait, did I say that out loud?) 

 

I'm just kidding, but in all seriousness Stony Brook's relationship with Briarwood and Cold Spring Harbor do give it a leg up over Albany, and you'll be more likely to be doing research in your field of interest. I have heard stories of people who went to a school for a specific professor, they both requested each other, but once everything was said and done the student got placed in a totally different lab. Whatever your decision, I wish you luck!

[microarray]

Go with the money. Both are great schools and if you're accepted then they (Stony Brook) obviously likes you and wants you there. I would be absolutely terrified of the Albany funding situation. I didn't even apply to a particular 5th school because I was worried about this same thing. 

 

By the way it usually takes 5-6 years to finish PhD in the US, so 3 years of funding would not be enough.

 

If you end up at Albany and lose funding, would you be able to teach? You have to take into consideration that if you end up on this route (ie teaching your way through) this may greatly extend how long it takes you to finish your degree.

 

Also - Albany seems to be in the middle of no where and Stony Brook is about 1.5 hour train ride (I think, maybe a little more) to NYC.

Edited March 23, 2014 by microarray

[unfortunate]

Go with the money. Both are great schools and if you're accepted then they (Stony Brook) obviously likes you and wants you there. I would be absolutely terrified of the Albany funding situation. I didn't even apply to a particular 5th school because I was worried about this same thing. 

 

By the way it usually takes 5-6 years to finish PhD in the US, so 3 years of funding would not be enough.

 

If you end up at Albany and lose funding, would you be able to teach? You have to take into consideration that if you end up on this route (ie teaching your way through) this may greatly extend how long it takes you to finish your degree.

 

Also - Albany seems to be in the middle of no where and Stony Brook is about 1.5 hour train ride (I think, maybe a little more) to NYC.

 

I'm curious, nobody actually gave me a good explanation why it takes 5+ years to finish. I would assume it has to do with the coursework a PhD student has to do in addition to the research? SB is overloaded with coursework and teaching requirements, where Albany has somewhat less, plus I can transfer quite a lot of credits. They emphasized that students are more research orientated since the 1st year. SB PIs  are older, and from my experience, younger ones  (like in Albany)  are much more passionate about their research and are keen on creating more publications. 

 

I forgot to mention that there's definitely funding available for me in Albany, but not necessarily in the lab of my choice. In the end, how much impact does the University's reputation has? Wouldn't the specific skills and techniques,that I will acquire during my PhD, as well as publications be more important than the University ratings for my future employer?

 

Thank you for the input guys!