Accepted but still lost...

[nearly_handsome]

So here is the situation...

I am currently a 1st year Biology PhD student at Indiana University Purdue University @ Indianapolis and i will be getting a Purdue degree if i continue here....

I had applied to some other universities last fall and i have got an admit from the University of Cincinnati for their Molecular and Dev Bio program at the Cincinnati children's hospital (really well known hospital)...

I am not sure whether a Purdue PhD is better or the Cincinnati program is better....

Factors in favor of Purdue: Reputation, life science ranking: 42 ( although i am not at the main West Lafayette campus), Will not waste an extra year, i m settled in Indianapolis, my PI is really nice although the lab doesn't have to much research going on...

Factors in favor of Cincinnati: Very good program, higher stipend ($5000-7000$ dollars more!! cost of living same), 3rd largest hospital, Vibrant atmosphere, larger faculty, life science ranking: 136

Do i transfer to Cincy or should i stick to Indy. Would really appreciate any ideas or opinions.............

[Genomic Repairman]

If everything is better at Cincy go there, but there might be a stigma cast upon you for leaving your current place. It is pretty uncommon and considered a bad thing when a grad student leaves a program after the 1st year even on good terms. And to get on my soapbox for a minute in reference to rankings. Its all good and well but it is who you work with and more importantly what you do in grad school that determines your future than some number in on list. Another big question is will your coursework transfer or will you have to start back at square one?

[nearly_handsome]

If everything is better at Cincy go there, but there might be a stigma cast upon you for leaving your current place. It is pretty uncommon and considered a bad thing when a grad student leaves a program after the 1st year even on good terms. And to get on my soapbox for a minute in reference to rankings. Its all good and well but it is who you work with and more importantly what you do in grad school that determines your future than some number in on list. Another big question is will your coursework transfer or will you have to start back at square one?

yea....ur probably right.....ill be the black sheep forever.....but the course at cincy children's looks too tempting to let go.....rankings dont matters much but the brand name does go a long way in academia......neways thanks genomic repairman......appreciate it....still undecided though...

[nearly_handsome]

update....got interviews from stanford!!

[Genomic Repairman]

congrats