<p>I've been accepted to both programs, and I'm having some trouble making a decision. US News ranks UCLA higher (#12 v #16), but due to budget cuts at UCLA, I'm worried about going there for my PhD. I'm going for PChem. Any ideas about which I should choose?</p>
<p>Also at UCLA what is the housing situation like? Do I need a car? How far do you have to live from campus before things get affordable?</p>
<p>Thanks alot</p>
<p>PhD programs? If so, then don’t worry too much about ranking. Focus on which school offers the research you’re interested in. I don’t know how the budget cuts will affect you. There are other variables that will determine your financial situation such as fellowships, university scholarships, adviser funding, etc.</p>
<p>You don’t need a car since there is public transportation, but I would think you will probably want some since you’re an older chap. As for housing rates, just go to craigslist to find out what rent is like and you can determine what is “affordable” to you. Keep in mind that current leases are cheaper now than in the summer since a lot more people are looking for housing during that time.</p>
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<p>Michigan will also have budget cuts, because the state of Michigan is in worse financial straits than California is as far as unemployment.</p>
<p>My son is doing his PhD at UCLA, and he hasn’t had any reduction whatsoever in his fellowship, stipend or research grant money.</p>
<p>@GrassBandit: Yes, PhD programs. I realize that the rankings aren’t so important- but maybe they matter more to employers?</p>
<p>@UCLA Band Mom: That’s really good to hear. Though the way it was explained to me, was that Michigan was less dependent on state support than UCLA, and so wouldn’t have to make so many cuts. </p>
<p>Is graduate housing worth it? It seems like an affordable way to live near school. What areas (for off campus options) are generally safe and reasonable. I have never been out to LA before. </p>
<p>I spoke to a person at UCLA today who assured me that my financial support offer for 5 years was totally guaranteed, so it really does look like I’ll be going to UCLA in the Fall.</p>
<p>If you don’t have a car, graduate housing would work in favor for you. At least you will have a peace of mind when it comes to getting to school.</p>
<p>“Michigan will also have budget cuts, because the state of Michigan is in worse financial straits than California is as far as unemployment.”</p>
<p>Wrong! Michigan has the 5-6th largest endowment of any university in this country. It relies much less on the state to provide funding. It already operates as a sort of semi-private school. In fact, the school is hiring over 100 NEW faculty right now. That is in addition to the normal rates of people coming and going. The state of Michigan has been struggling for the past 30 years on and off. U-M realized a long time ago what was needed to be done. Welcome to the real world California!</p>
<p>“If you don’t have a car, graduate housing would work in favor for you. At least you will have a peace of mind when it comes to getting to school.”</p>
<p>You certainly don’t need a car in Ann Arbor. The public bus system is excellent and there is a lot of housing available within walking distance of the campus.</p>
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<p>No, they do not. In general, employment prospects will depend on your adviser and your area of specialization. For example, UCLA EE is not ranked as high as Berkeley or MIT, but it has a stronger electromagnetics and circuits area of specialization. At least that’s what I’ve heard.</p>
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If you don’t mind me saying, Michigan’s endowment is pathetic. In 2009, Michigan had an endowment of $6.00 billion. Do you have any idea how much money a major research university spends in a year? UCLA’s expenditures in 2008 was $3.39 billion. Granted UCLA’s endowment is practically nonexistent, but Michigan’s endowment is certainly nothing to boost about either. It really isn’t enough to serve as a serious buffer.</p>
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Um… no. Many “public” universities, including UCLA and Berkeley are in fact “semi-private”. For UCLA, the state pays the salaries of the instructors and that’s it. The university comes up with the money for everything else in other ways. Michigan is nothing special in this particular area.</p>
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There’s plenty of housing in Los Angeles. People are just too lazy to walk half a mile. Also, there are complaints housing in Westwood is too expensive. Managing a car at UCLA is rather tedious due to the scarcity of parking spaces. You’ll usually have to pay for an expensive (and often elusive) parking permit and this may be for a parking garage that’s not on campus. UCLA also actually has plenty of on-campus housing but people complain that’s waaaaaay too expensive. (And I would have to agree.)</p>
<p>@ chemphd_hopeful
Housing is often cheapest far away from UCLA in places like Century City or somewhere in the suburbs. I believe that there is priority for issuing on-campus parking permits for graduate students.</p>
<p>“If you don’t mind me saying, Michigan’s endowment is pathetic. In 2009, Michigan had an endowment of $6.00 billion. Do you have any idea how much money a major research university spends in a year? UCLA’s expenditures in 2008 was $3.39 billion. Granted UCLA’s endowment is practically nonexistent, but Michigan’s endowment is certainly nothing to boost about either. It really isn’t enough to serve as a serious buffer.”</p>
<p>Totally clueless.</p>