Minnesota or CUNY? (Sociology PhD)

[hippityhop123]

My end goal is to teach at a top 40 university. 

Trying to weigh the pros/cons of attending: 

 

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities 

- I've had more contact with the faculty (plus one of my recommenders insists it's a better fit) 

- better funding package (with graduate assistantship + nominated for an award = possibly more funding) 

- higher ranked (#20 vs. #28 according to the USWNR)  --> can anyone speak to the validity of this claim? 

- houses an Immigration History Research Center and the Minnesota Population Center (two programs related to my research on financialization + immigration) 

- 94% teaching placement rate (2002-2016) 

 

CUNY

- potential for more robust networking (faculty, NYC/East Coast lecture circuit)

*flip side: expensive living costs 

- the Immigration Working Group, Sociology Colloquium Series are draws for me 

- 72% teaching placement rate (2005-09), although their site says the  "placement record has markedly improved in the last few years, and we expect that this trend will continue."

http://www.gc.cuny.edu/Page-Elements/Academics-Research-Centers-Initiatives/Doctoral-Programs/Sociology/Job-Placements 

 

Anyone have thoughts they would like to share or is facing a similar decision? 

I will be visiting both within the next 3 weeks. 

 

Edited February 27, 2017 by hippityhop123

[AgumonIsAPokemon]

Considering your end goal, I would pick the school where you would feel more comfortable studying (especially collaborating with your supervisors). A smoother (and less stressful, if that is possible) academic operation would allow you to present more, and write more. Which adds up to your academic profile and enhances your future possibilities. That's what people have told me.

Not to say school rankings are trivial; however, the 20 vs 28 matchup does not seem to constitute a major concern (at least for me). I would think about rankings if there is a larger margin (eg. 20 vs 86). 

Your situation is much more complicated than what I have implied (as you have mentioned: location, cost, social capital, resources, etc). But hopefully I was able to contribute to your question.