I am studying biomedical sciences (neurodegenerative diseases), and cannot choose between WashU’s Neuroscience program vs Johns Hopkins Cellular and Molecular Medicine umbrella program (I would work in the neuro department). Both of these are Ph.D. programs. WashU is only neuro, whereas the Hopkins program is an umbrella, with neurobiology as one of the sub-category specializations.
I have a long pros/cons sheet for both of these programs/schools, but I would love to add some more to the list (possibly from outer sources). If you have any anecdotes, impressions, opinions, or facts about either school/grad program - I would love to hear them. This would allow me to further my pros/cons lists of the programs while stepping outside my own mind for a minute to see what others think.
I am not easily swayed, so please do not worry about presenting a bias that may “deter me from what I want.” I have been going back between the programs for 2 months now, so I am now interested in what others have to say about the graduate programs/schools. To me, there is a strong balance between both programs (one has a lab I like more while the other has an overall program structure I like more). Thus, hearing outside opinions may allow me to think ‘outside the box’ more.
For any biomedical related program, it really is a no-brainer that Johns Hopkins would be the best choice. I really cannot see that WashU could compete. Undergrad, maybe, but for grad school? There is no comparison. You are comparing a school which has made its name in educating wealthy undergraduates and a university which has made its name in biomedical research.
I would recommend JHU over almost any other grad school in the world.
Actually, Washington University has a top neurosciences program that is frequently listed in the top 10, right along with Johns Hopkins. (Wash U actually has several really good graduate programs in different fields. Johns Hopkins has more name-brand recognition outside of academia for biomedical sciences, but both programs are respected within academia in this field.
Besides, just because one department is ranked higher overall doesn’t mean that department is the best place for one’s research. If you have a specific niche interest, sometimes a department that is numerically ranked slightly lower might have a better PI in that area, or better research funding or coursework.
You’d be more likely to get people with experience with either program, OP, if you go directly to the departments to speak to some students. You can ask each department if they could connect you with 2-3 graduate students in the department who’d be willing to speak to you about the program, or you can find them on the website or LinkedIn, perhaps.
It’d probably also be more helpful if you provided the pros and cons of each program from your perspective, and perhaps outlined why you are having a hard time choosing between these two programs.
There is one small hint in your post - you said one has a lab you like more, whereas the other one has a program structure you like more. If that was the only dividing factor, I’d say go where you like the lab more - it’ll have far more influence over your experience and your career than the program’s structure (which doesn’t matter much after second year anyway).