Duke vs Stony Brook (Genetics)

[berba9]

So I'm right down to the deadline, and this is my situation:

I'm basically choosing between Duke (Genetics and Genomics) and Stony Brook (Genetics)
I've spoken to the professors I'm interested in at both places and really enjoyed the interviews, I've got great feedback about the profs from their students, and they seem to want a student next year. The work at both places is quite exciting.

 

I have a few more options at Duke in terms of professors while the funding situation seems a little more secure at SB. According to these (http://chronicle.com/article/NRC-Rankings-Overview-/124733/), the genetics program at Duke has a great ranking while SB isn't far back. (The professors I am interested in at SB are affiliated to the Laufer Center, in case that is relevant)

 

I'd really appreciate any help/advice.

[bsharpe269]

I also looked at the Laufer Center. They have a lot of cool research! How do the stipends compare? I think that Durham might be alot cheaper than Long Island.

[berba9]

Yup, in terms of stipends it's advantage Durham, they pay slightly* more and the  area seems much cheaper. On the other hand my POI at SB seemed very secure about funding... Every time I think I found a reason to choose one over the other, some counter comes up.

 

In my head, Duke would be more prestigious than SB. Is this impression accurate (especially since I know nothing about the reputation of the Laufer Center), and how much should I bother about prestige of the institute?

 

EDIT: Just read the fine print, all told it's ~12% less, quite a lot I guess.

Edited April 9, 2015 by berba9

[ilovelab]

So I'm right down to the deadline, and this is my situation:

I'm basically choosing between Duke (Genetics and Genomics) and Stony Brook (Genetics)

I've spoken to the professors I'm interested in at both places and really enjoyed the interviews, I've got great feedback about the profs from their students, and they seem to want a student next year. The work at both places is quite exciting.

 

I have a few more options at Duke in terms of professors while the funding situation seems a little more secure at SB. According to these (http://chronicle.com/article/NRC-Rankings-Overview-/124733/), the genetics program at Duke has a great ranking while SB isn't far back. (The professors I am interested in at SB are affiliated to the Laufer Center, in case that is relevant)

 

I'd really appreciate any help/advice.

 That ranking is meaningless. Don't base your decision on that. Where do you want to live? Stony brook is pretty different from the South. Since you consider both programs essentially equal its gonna be outside factors that make the difference.

[bsharpe269]

Yup, in terms of stipends it's advantage Durham, they pay slightly* more and the  area seems much cheaper. On the other hand my POI at SB seemed very secure about funding... Every time I think I found a reason to choose one over the other, some counter comes up.

 

In my head, Duke would be more prestigious than SB. Is this impression accurate (especially since I know nothing about the reputation of the Laufer Center), and how much should I bother about prestige of the institute?

 

EDIT: Just read the fine print, all told it's ~12% less, quite a lot I guess.

 

I think that Duke probably is a bit more prestigious than Stony Brook but the Laufer is being opened by Ken Dill... He is one of the biggest names in protein folding. I think that anything connected to him will be respected.

 

If possible, I would try to figure out specifically how much money you will be bringing in for each and how much you will pay in rent. I stress the money thing because I've heard that it is really hard to find decent housing in long island for a reasonable price. I cant say for certain that this is true.. just something that I have heard. I think it might be worth you looking into some more though.

 

How many potential PIs at each? Have you visited both? Did you click with the students of professors at either more?

 

Finally, do you have a gut feeling that is leaning you towards one or the other? If you imagine accepting each of them and think about how you would feel after, does one make you much happier than the other?

[mountaingal]

I agree with the above - with the programs being about equal in the most important aspects, living situation is the next big factor! Things like town/city size, potential commute, cost of living, available activities, climate, community, etc. can really make a difference in your ability to manage stresses of grad school and your happiness with life in general. 

When you walk out of the lab, where do you want to be, what kind of people do you want to hang out with, what do you want to do to unwind? 

Where do you want to LIVE? 

[berba9]

Yup, Ken Dill was a prescribed textbook for our UG coursework and it was a revelation to see his name in the flesh, so to speak.

 

As an international student, I didn't visit but had skype interviews- I guess I marginally preferred the conversation with the Stony Brook professor to Duke, but marginally. I've not heard yet from all the students I've written to but so far everything has been positive.

I'll try and find out stuff about rent costs at SB.

 

Gut says Duke, but rationally I haven't found an answer. Even my LOR writers whom I asked for help are divided. I'm guessing I'll go with my gut if it remains like this...

 

 

Thanks so much for your help btw

[eeee1923]

With all the good advice that's been given, I can't really offer you any logical and unbiased words. But if you're leaning towards Duke, I say do it (also Duke tends to be really welcoming towards international students). 

 

P.S: I'm going to Duke so hopefully you pick Duke 

[berba9]

Thanks for all your advice

I've chosen Duke, mostly the deciding factor was that I found a 3rd professor whose research was very exciting there.

[SublimePZ]

Congrats! It sounds like you couldn't really go wrong with either choice, but I know those decisions can be pretty tough.

 

Hope you like basketball...