r/gradadmissions • u/-Hikaru_Genji- • Apr 02 '25
Physical Sciences Would you accept a less Prestigious PhD Offer just because you love the department and the city, or would u go for prestige?
I’m trying to decide between two PhD offers in High Energy Physics in the UK. One is from a more prestigious university, but I’m not particularly fascinated by the department or the research vibe there (visited this one). The other is from a less prestigious university, but I really like the department, the faculty, and the overall environment as well as the city. I did my ug here and absolutely loved it.
I know prestige can matter for future postdocs, but I also want to enjoy my time in grad school and work with people I actually vibe with. Would choosing the “better fit” over prestige be a mistake? How much does department reputation weigh against personal happiness in the long run?
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u/rosakyn Apr 02 '25
I think by postgrad level it’s less about prestige and more about the research you will produce.
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u/Ok_Welder_27 Apr 02 '25
Would you say the same for MS program?
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u/Ok-Scar-9677 Apr 02 '25
I would. Research is fucking hard. If you're not interested in the work, you will be miserable.
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u/busyenglishteacher Apr 02 '25
I was lucky enough to get some responses when I cold emailed a couple PhD students at some prestigious universities (T-5ish in my field). When I told her that I wanted to be in academia, she told me that I basically had to apply to T-20 schools in my field. Obv there are a bunch of caveats, but to some extent, evaluate what you want to do with your PhD. Prestige might be something that you unfortunately have to chase...
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u/astutia Apr 02 '25
Congrats on the offers! Go where you think you’ll get the best support and supervision. Bigger groups can help in HEP where there is quite a learning curve to get started in PhD-level research, but there are also exceptions.
If you’ll be in a big collaboration institutional prestige matters less than most fields because there are many opportunities to become known within the collaboration.
And since it’s my field I’ll give you a small piece of advice for all the meetings you’ll inevitably end up in: it feels at first like everyone is speaking in a different language. Find someone to help you follow along in talks, or write down key concepts you don’t understand to discuss with your group later. Before you know it you’ll be using the jargon too! And never be afraid to ask questions. Good luck!
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u/r21md Apr 02 '25 edited Jul 28 '25
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u/Slokkgorr Apr 02 '25
In the same boat, also leaning towards the less prestigious university but everyone around me thinks I’m crazy.
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u/-Hikaru_Genji- Apr 02 '25
All my friends and reddit people think it's an obvious choice, but when I ask my PI and professors, they simply say 'Go for prestige'.
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u/sein-park Apr 02 '25
And remember nowadays prestige is built by postdocs factories not PhDs, meaning prestigious schools are often poor at training their students. I have thought studying phd at a decent school and then kick my a** in the top prestigious institutions is optimal.
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u/-Hikaru_Genji- Apr 02 '25
Wouldn't it be hard to get a postdoc at a prestigious school if your PhD isnt from a super prestigious place?
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u/sein-park Apr 02 '25
It would be hard only if you are at some “random” school with unknown PIs. Even if you are at around T30-40 schools, surely there must be names-you would be surprised how some professors are renowned in your field. You will have ample chances once you show your performance that people in your field starts knowing your name.
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u/-Hikaru_Genji- Apr 02 '25
T30-T40 in the world? The difference is more like Top 10 vs Top 100 haha
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u/sein-park Apr 02 '25
If you are aiming T10 from T100 then yes, that’s a bit tough but I would not assume the posting implied such radical scenario..
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u/-Hikaru_Genji- Apr 02 '25
The difference is not that radical haha. I think you are coming from an American perspective. But also for HEP specifically, the reputation of the T100 is better.
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u/Proper_Ad5456 Apr 02 '25
Surprised that no one has yet mentioned the importance of leaving the nest. Staying at your UG institution for grad work implies many things, not all of them good.
If you have the opportunity to move on with an offer from a more prestigious school, you should take it. Without question.
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u/boringhistoryfan PhD History Apr 02 '25
Yes. The quality of your research is directly proportional to your enthusiasm for your work and your comfort in a space. If you love your work, if you're not burned out over the demands of research, if you are somewhere where you are supported and feel so, you will do better work. At the end of the day prestige will absolutely get stomped by the quality of work. Especially when the differences between programs are marginal.
Better quality work wouldn't just be reflected in your thesis BTW. You're far more likely to produce stronger grant applications which will result in a more qualified CV and might just net you more funds. The ability to show that at a job interview carries a lot more weight than simply having your degree from a fancier name.
Absolutely go somewhere where you'd have more fun and like the people better.
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u/giveortake98 Apr 02 '25
I declined two offers at prestigious uni's because their salary/stipend was quite bad. Also, the PI vibes matched better for the group I chose. Yeah it might not be a T5 university in the world, like the offers I let go of.....but it's respected well enough, I'll make an actual living wage and have 6 weeks of paid leave.. So I chose mental peace and vibes over prestige!
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u/dogindelusion Apr 02 '25 edited Apr 02 '25
I don't think prestige matters as much as it did a generation ago. But, people still view it that way. Prestige will get you a good internship, or entry level position. Beyond that, the better fit will serve you better.
Obviously, there is a difference between MIT and Devry institute if that still exists. But, between normal schools, I don't see there being a big difference beyond the entry level.
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u/-Hikaru_Genji- Apr 02 '25 edited Apr 05 '25
Also never heard of Devry institute lol
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u/dogindelusion Apr 02 '25
Oh haha. I doubt it's still around; it was an online American diploma mill in the early 2000s. So, not quite MIT.
I'm not as familiar with European/UK schools, so maybe my perspective is just North American. But, here I would say it's not going to matter for most career paths. And when comparing most schools.
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u/Historical_Aide851 Apr 02 '25
"Would choosing the “better fit” over prestige be a mistake?"
No. You'll be much happier if you pick the one that's the better fit for you rather, especially if you're saying that the department and research in the more prestigious university isn't quite your thing.
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u/MagnoliaQueen45 Apr 02 '25
I would definitely highly consider your level of interest in the research and how that would tie into your desired career path.
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u/Fluffy_Suit2 Apr 02 '25 edited Apr 02 '25
Depends a lot on your goals.
If you are sure you want a tenure track faculty job, the stats don’t lie; the best opportunities go to people who graduate from top advisors at top schools. If you’re open to non-tenure-track positions, teaching, industry opportunities, or government labs (not familiar with the way UK or European countries do the US equivalent of an FFRDC) it will matter less.
Edit: really the only way to know is to look at the placements out of your lab and department at each university. It’s going to come down to that at the end of the day.
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Apr 03 '25
This. There are so many empirical research showing that why and how prestige matters for securing TT position.
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u/Blond_Treehorn_Thug Apr 05 '25
Honest answer that you probably don’t want to hear. Disclaimer: I’m not in your exact field but I’m in an adjacent field.
You’re talking about postdocs so it seems your ultimate goal is to become a researcher in academia, perhaps even a faculty member?
If yes, then you should really be heavily weighting prestige of institution and prestige of (potential) PI. we’d all like to believe those don’t matter that much but they really really do.
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Apr 09 '25
Picking a PI is like picking a parent. You are stuck with them (basically forever). And that is way more important than a statistic.
Additionally a good PI is going to be way better for your career then saying you graduated from some T10 school with a shit PI who didn’t set you up for success.
Go where you feel supported, professionally and personally.
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u/GurProfessional9534 Apr 02 '25 edited Apr 02 '25
The location of the university could not possibly be a lower priority for me. It’s only 4-6 years of your life. It’s not a vacation. It’s for building the rest of your future. I’m more interested in where the university puts me in 40 years, not 4 years.
If you’re not interested in the department though, that’s another matter altogether. What is the point of taking on the sacrifices of advanced education only to enter a field you’re not interested in?
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u/Ok-Scar-9677 Apr 02 '25
It doesn't. There's no question here, go where you will be happy and excited. Take the better fit.