JHU CMM vs UCSD BMS vs Caltech biochem/biophysis

<p>Interested in translational human medical research PhD and live in California. Have been accepted to:</p>

<p>Johns Hopkins Cellular/Molecular medicine (great school,very long move and Baltimore?)
UCSD Biomedical Science- (very good school, great location)
Caltech -(great school in good location but program not as good a fit)</p>

<p>I am also waiting on UCSF BMS (my top choice but looks like I may be waitlisted or worse) plus MIT biology - who I should hear from soon and felt very good about interview but who knows?</p>

<p>Thanks for any input on choices - rep of these programs at these schools, etc.</p>

<p>I would truly appreciate any feedback on these choices- Anyone - help? I have done much research on all programs but is always good to hear more views- especially as a northern Cal, west coast born and bred student with little east coast/So cal experience.</p>

<p>Interesting development a few minutes ago - UCSD just emailed me with notice that they are increasing stipend offer from $28,000 to $29,500. This is not just for me but for all admitted students to BMS. It seems they view themselves as an up and coming program want to compete with bigger names.</p>

<p>Thanks in advance for any input - all views are of interest to me.</p>

<p>So, I interviewed/applied/kinda know about these schools. Here’s my biased opinions (that may or may not be helpful, but here’s my 2cents):</p>

<p>JHU CMM: I loved/love this programs coursework, organization, admin. etc. (human cadaver dissection is unique offering. Basically, they have been already been doing what HHMI Med-into-Grad initiative is trying to do for the last decadeish+). The current second year students (the ones that hosted my interview weekend) were super nice/fun. People choose this school (not ‘settle for’).</p>

<p>UCSD Biomedical Science: I am not a fan of southern California, but if you like the location, that’s good. I got an interview invite from here, but declined due to scheduling conflicts. I haven’t heard good things from numerous people who interviewed here - granted, this is a big selection bias, bec all these people ended up at other institutions - most people say that the current grad students there trash talk all the other programs (and inaccurately trash talk too). (This could be off-base, but this seems like UCSD maybe wasn’t their first choice…). Also, I believe that the stipend increase isn’t a UCSD thing but a UC-wide increase.</p>

<p>Caltech - if the program isn’t a good fit… especially if it’s biophysics-related and you want more med. translational (if that’s right), I would advise against. You don’t want to be stuck taking not-quite-right classes and having not-so-interesting/relevant lectures and journal papers, etc. Believe me, that will get old fast. </p>

<p>I am also waiting on UCSF BMS (my top choice but looks like I may be waitlisted or worse) plus MIT biology - who I should hear from soon and felt very good about interview but who knows? From what I hear, I would say your chances are slim now at UCSF.</p>

<p>LAC operon:
Thanks for your thoughts - they actually do match with many of mine. I had very short visit to Hopkins on alternate interview date but loved the program and people I met (yes - ahead of others on the med to grad and I liked that very much.) Since I was only there for one day did not get to see much of Baltimore. This would in no way be a “settle” for me, just still mourning the likely lost of UCSF dream.</p>

<p>Re UCSD - I am a northern Californian and don’t like So Cal much either but San Diego is better than many places (IMHO) and at least warm plus doable as a move with vehicle and stuff. Don’t like the idea of putting down other programs but I heard this at more than one interview weekend. Did you get a bad vibe about the UCSD program or just the negative remarks about other programs?</p>

<p>Do you know anything about MIT biology program? Their last interview weekend ended on Monday so I am hoping to hear from them this week Anyone else have thoughts on MIT bio?</p>

<p>Baltimore:</p>

<p>I’ve met a lot of people on interview weekends who are considering Hopkins but are worried about the city of Baltimore. Bottom line is its a big city and you have to be smart about it. It is also a very FUN city. Might be a huge change from Northern California but that could be a good experience.</p>

<p>I live about 30 minutes from Baltimore.</p>

<p>Thanks gclooney.(great name). Thanks for your expertise on Baltimore. I am from Nor Cal but near SF…and have spent quite a bit of time in the city. SF is big, diverse and interestingly dicey in many areas, and fun, as well. I am wondering if Baltimore may not be much worse than SF (though perhaps without the panache of name). Any thoughts?</p>

<p>Well Baltimore might feel a bit rougher than SF (I have visited many times). Part of this is also the general less-friendliness of the east coast. What is unfortunate is the location of the JHU medical campus, which is really not a nice part of town. The main JHU campus is in a much nicer area.</p>

<p>So UCSD you will be a lot more comfortable hanging out on and directly around campus (though UCSD campus is a bit isolated anyway)… but in terms of things to do a bit further away, I think you will find that the city of Baltimore has much more character than San Diego.</p>

<p>I’m not in your field, but I also interviewed at UCSD, so I feel comfortable making these comparisons.</p>