<p>So I'm not sure if this site is just for undergrad, but I narrowed my choices to these two schools a while ago, and I have been unable to decide ever since. I've exhausted every resource I have (talking to profs, comparing cost of living, strength of the program, etc.), so I want to get a few more opinions. Any insights?</p>
<p>Yeah, it is for undergrad. Both programs are top-notch, so as a grad I would consider:</p>
<p>The locations: (Philadelphia has very cold winters, and a high crime rate, but it is also a very historically rich city and very close to both DC and NYC…and it the whole city brimming with medical centers and the biotech/pharma companies that set up shop around them. I don’t know much about STL except that it has a lovely arch and the winters are milder so I will leave that to the experts). Also, uptight northeast vs. southern hospitality (yay stereotypes!)</p>
<p>The opportunities to interact with the rest of the university (what is the proximity of your building to the rest of campus, etc)</p>
<p>Alumni networking</p>
<p>Where you want to end up living…WUSTL will probably help you out better if you want to settle down in the South, whereas Penn would be better in the northeast</p>
<p>There is another thread for biosciences PhD program: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/graduate-school/610408-official-biomedical-sciences-interviews-acceptances-2009-a.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/graduate-school/610408-official-biomedical-sciences-interviews-acceptances-2009-a.html</a></p>