Prestige vs Happiness Chemistry PhD

[Purple Sea Lion]

I'm pretty torn between two programs right now. Both have professors I'm interested in working with. 

School A: A top 25 program. From my visit, I found the faculty and other students to be extremely welcoming and supportive. They are also offering a significant financial incentive (on top of a good stipend) to attend. 

School B: A top 3 program with a lot of weight behind having their name on your degree. My visit felt not nearly as welcoming (I guess they don't really have to be...) and I left feeling not very enthusiastic about the program. Stipend is ok, probably barely covering the cost of living in an expensive city. 

 

I'm leaning toward A, but I'm worried about if I'm forfeiting future job prospects by not attending a top school. How much does a school name matter? I've heard that where you do your post-doc is even more important. 

[eternallyephemeral]

First of all, why wouldn't school B have to be nice/welcoming? If they want people to go, they should be, don't you think?

But then again, that goes back to your main question. Personally, I think happiness and financial security is extremely important. If you aren't happy and motivated, and if you aren't, how will you be productive? As well, how will you get work done if you're constantly worried about funding?

Obviously this could differ, as I'm not well-versed in chemistry programs, but I know lots of people with mediocre cvs and graduate publication records from excellent schools. I also know lots of people with amazing cvs/publications from lesser schools (and top 25 is still pretty high up there). The school does not make your cv good; YOU make your cv good. So if you're in a welcoming environment, if you have money to live on, and if you are excited about going there, I don't see how you would lose out in going to that school.

When the only thing driving you towards school B is the name and the potential for forfeiting future job prospects (which is tenuous), then I think you have your answer.

 

Hope this helps! It's just my opinion, of course.

[juilletmercredi]

Top 25 is still plenty good; I think you should attend the program that makes you happy, especially if they are offering you a financial incentive to attend.