UCLA/Caltech MSTP vs. Stanford MSTP

[inode]

Me: From California, from Stanford.

I'll have a better sense after revisit weekend, but I am just looking for some initial thoughts

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[Qrtpcr]

If I were in your shoes would choose stanford again. Stanford MD is a bit more research focused than UCLA. Also Caltech has less bio oriented labs compared to Stanford for phd( most caltech faculty work in neuroscience and there are only a few of them compared to many more opportunities at Stanford). Also LA is not so much better than Palo Alto specially when you consider the traffic. Anyway follow your heart! Revisit LA and make a decision. Can not go wrong either way. Congratulations on two amazing acceptances!

 

[ClimbsRox]

Of all the places I interviewed, Caltech had the longest time to completion for PhDs. Granted it was the USC/Caltech program not the UCLA/Caltech program, but I spoke to students from both institutions. Sounds like 5-6 years on the PhD portion is pretty standard unless you are in a computational field. Something to consider.

 

[puahate]

@Lucca

 

[deleted962973]

I know less about the PhD than an MD, but what department are you looking to do a PhD in? Normally if it’s bio related Stanford will be better than Caltech, but math/computational Caltech may have an edge. Since both are phenomenal institutions the strength of department is how I’d make my decision, assuming you like both locations and MD programs equally.

 

[inode]

Thank you for everyone who voted and/or offered their comments. It has been extremely helpful.