jasontx

You are absolutely right! But still, I simply can not convince myself yet. I guess I'll continue to hesitate until last minute. Thanks very much!

That's a great idea. Thanks a lot!!

Thanks for the advice! I guess I'll just talk to more people before I make my decision.

I agree that I shouldn't take money as a main concern here, I'm just listing it as a minor advantage. The 2014 placement was Senior Lecturer instead of AP. The guy has left one year later. But BU did place one of their students at Vandy back in 2008. I guess BU do dominate in terms of placement. But unfortunately I do have some personal attachment to Nashville. My girlfriend is getting a job here and I'm not sure if I should go to BU for a possibly brighter future or start a life right now. After all I'm getting the impression that PhD is highly related to the quality of you own work. Tough decision here.

Thanks for the advice. I'm actually just listing the money difference as a minor advantage that Vanderbilt has. The main reason of my hesitation is the good relationship with the faculty, and I'm getting the impression that this could be vital.

Yeah that's what I heard. After all ranking matters.

Got offer from these two and having trouble deciding. My interest is in Macro & Monetary theory, and I intend to find a tenure track job after graduation. I'm currently at Vandy and I do like it a lot. Plus I have very good relationships with the faculty here. And they offer more money both in dollar value and in purchasing power. But clearly BU has a better ranking and the advantage of being in Boston. The faculty seems stronger as well. I'm just wondering just how much better is BU than Vandy, if there's not so great a difference I'm actually thinking about staying. People say there's not much difference between schools ranking 20-50. I'm getting the impression that the gap is not so great from faculty here, but current PhD students are saying BU dominates. The deadline is coming so any advice would be appreciated.

Contacted UCSD. Says the results would be out before April 15th. History tells us that means rejection. Shouldn't be of much hope at this time after all.