<p>I have a very different opinion than others. LAC is not what you should look for. LACs have lesser course offerings (esp lab courses), poor core facilities, fewer research opportunities and fewer connections between profs at the major research universities (for grad school). The problem is that even if you find a LAC with a strong cell biology program, it is highly unlikely a small dept at a LAC can offer strong molecular biology, biochem or genomics too. These small septs/colleges just don’t have the number of faculty to support excellence across the board. You should be looking for a university with a decent genomics presence. This is something that every CDB student/researcher will need to use.
Back to the original Q- you are better off getting very well trained in cell bio, molec bio, biochem, genomics than pursuing a specific research area. Here’s another question: how would you feel if you go to that stem cell university and can’t get into a lab there?</p>