Lower rank school - Awesome fit

[profound_g]

There's one program where there are many people doing things I'm extremely interested in, but the school is really low ranked compared to a few of the other programs I'm applying to (they also do things that are interesting to me, of course, but somewhat less than this one). I wonder if I should even apply. I know that the 'rule' is not to apply to a school one wouldn't really go to, but I just don't know in this case. What are your thoughts?

[shai]

Hard call.

I'de say - apply and see what happens. Low rank is better than no rank (meaning not getting in any school).

how low is it compared to the other ones ?

[cheesethunder]

the only reason id say be careful is for what you want to do afterwards, the only reason im drawn to 'good' school is because i don't want to be an indebt unemployed person with a phd.......rank helps with jobs.

[socialcomm]

Doesn't hurt to apply. Have you met/spoke with people at all the schools you're applying to? Can you see yourself joining them?

[rainy_day]

You have nothing to lose by applying!

[rogue]

Apply, then worry about where to go once you see where you got in. If the lower ranked school has people doing research you're more interested in, and those people are willing to work with you, you might fare better than at the other schools in the end. It's possible that you'll end up publishing more, making more contacts, etc. You never know. Sure, rank is important, but it's not everything.

[fuzzylogician]

There's one program where there are many people doing things I'm extremely interested in, but the school is really low ranked compared to a few of the other programs I'm applying to (they also do things that are interesting to me, of course, but somewhat less than this one). I wonder if I should even apply. I know that the 'rule' is not to apply to a school one wouldn't really go to, but I just don't know in this case. What are your thoughts?

Are you referring to the overall ranking of the school or to the ranking of the specific program within your field? The Name factor is more important if you plan on working in the industry after you get your degree, less so if you want to stay in academia - then you want a program with a good reputation and the school matters much less. I agree with the previous posters though, you have nothing to lose by trying. Apply, and if you are admitted then you can start weighing your options.

[rising_star]

If the lower ranked school has people doing research you're more interested in, and those people are willing to work with you, you might fare better than at the other schools in the end. It's possible that you'll end up publishing more, making more contacts, etc. You never know. Sure, rank is important, but it's not everything.

This is almost exactly what I was going to say. I'm not at the highest ranked program in my field (and I did get into higher ranked programs) but I picked my department because my advisor is one of the best known names in our subfield. And really, that matters because when he writes me letters of recommendation for grants, people see his name and recognize it, even if they don't pay much attention to our university.

I would apply, see where the chips fall, visit, and see how you feel about it then. Sometimes places that look perfect on paper are not quite right when you visit. Other schools that you may not have been so sure about may excel once you visit. (Of course there are schools that you're lukewarm about, visit, and decide aren't for you.) There's very little to be lost by applying, particularly if the department is strong in your subfield.

[profound_g]

You're right about worrying about being admitted first and before making choices later. I didn't even contact them yet; I'll go do that.

Thanks everybody.