WashU vs Case BME

Colleges and Universities A-Z Washington University in St. Louis
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<p>I understand this forums is mostly for undergraduates but if anyone can contribute any bit of information to my decision, it would help me immensely. Thanks in advance! </p>

<p>Washington University in St. Louis (Program: Biomedical Engineering, PhD)
Pros: Fully funded, 28K/year, good research match, excellent funding, top 10 overall program, strong medical school, hospital
Cons: Lower BME ranking/younger department, weather (heard it can get really hot) </p>

<p>Case Western Reserve University (Program: Biomedical Engineering, PhD)
Pros: Fully funded, 25K/year, excellent research match, good funding, top 10 BME program, more industry opportunities, strong hospital
Cons: Lower overall prestige/not name-brand, weather (heard it can get really cold) </p>

<p>I have found professors I would like to work with in both schools. I have observed the BME faculty at WashU in general seem stronger (alma matter) but the ones at Case seem more well established (in terms of lab size). Each program is roughly the same size in terms of faculty and students with Case being a little bit larger. Case has an older program as well with est. 1968 while Wash U's program was est. 1997. Case does a direct match while Wash U is on rotation for at least 2 semesters. I'd prefer the cold over the heat and it seems Cleveland is cheaper to live in than St Louis (but they also give less money) but at this point, these are but minor concerns.</p>

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<p>Bump tenchar</p>

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<p>Sorry, I’m unfamiliar with graduate programs. Wish you the best of luck though.</p>

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<p>I am sure you know that, for PhD programs, the reputation of the school/department is less important the reputation of your direct advisors/sponsors. I have friends who graduated from state schools and placed at Dartmouth, Cornell etc. The reason is their advisors are leading experts in their fields. In terms of general environment, what I don’t like about Cleveland it has dreary, long winter. Cold is fine (like Denver!) but dreary (like Cleveland) is not.</p>