Does Where I Get My Science PhD Really Matter?

scottishfeet
Mon, 30 Jan 2006 16:31:45 +0000

Yes, it does matter, but how much it matters depends on what you want to do when you finish the PhD. Do you want to work in academia or in industry? Getting a PhD from somewhere with a strong reputation is more important for an academic future, although some companies will consider it as well.

Also, as others have said, it is the reputation of a department and a professor that matter more than the overall reputation of a school. A big name school may not be particularly well known in the field you are interested in, so look more at the particular department you are interested in than at the school as a whole. Also research the professors in the department - you may find some rising stars at lesser-known schools.