Penn($$) vs. Michigan($$$) vs. Columbia($?) for PI
Posted: Thu Apr 13, 2017 9:32 am
HELLO PLS HELP ME
Michigan has given me the most money, with Penn coming in at a close-ish second and Columbia still hasn't given me a package. I'm pretty interested in PI or clerking, but also trying to be flexible about that given the amount of debt I'll be in. Long term goal is PI or government though. Would prefer to be in a city, but I like Ann Arbor. Lay prestige is unfortunately a mild factor. I'm also potentially pursuing a graduate certificate or dual degree. My concern about Penn is that it has such low PI numbers that I'm worried it can't all be self-selection and the institution might just not be as good at helping graduates secure PI jobs. Michigan obviously has the best PI numbers of the three (and the most robust PI/clerking community re: professors will really work with you and reach out to you if they think you should pursue a certain clerkship or position). Also, Columbia has the best LRAP by far (which is why it's still in the running), Michigan has the most generous out of the t-13, and Penn's program leaves much to be desired.
Would appreciate anyone's thoughts! I really need y'all to literally make this decision for me lol.
Michigan has given me the most money, with Penn coming in at a close-ish second and Columbia still hasn't given me a package. I'm pretty interested in PI or clerking, but also trying to be flexible about that given the amount of debt I'll be in. Long term goal is PI or government though. Would prefer to be in a city, but I like Ann Arbor. Lay prestige is unfortunately a mild factor. I'm also potentially pursuing a graduate certificate or dual degree. My concern about Penn is that it has such low PI numbers that I'm worried it can't all be self-selection and the institution might just not be as good at helping graduates secure PI jobs. Michigan obviously has the best PI numbers of the three (and the most robust PI/clerking community re: professors will really work with you and reach out to you if they think you should pursue a certain clerkship or position). Also, Columbia has the best LRAP by far (which is why it's still in the running), Michigan has the most generous out of the t-13, and Penn's program leaves much to be desired.
Would appreciate anyone's thoughts! I really need y'all to literally make this decision for me lol.