Best grad school for a cyclones fan?

So, not as to distract from the riveting conversation about either wanting Gmac to leave right now, or stay here forever, but I was hoping for some input on this. I basically have four options right now as to where to go to pursue my PhD. Which of these, from a perspective of weather, sports and the intangibles, would be the best place to go?

1. LSU- Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge. Warm weather, great football. SEC

2. University of Tulsa. Again, warm weather, good football. C-USA

3. Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina. Mild weather. almost great football. ACC.

4. Kansas State. Weather like here. Football? They finished 6-6 this year. Big XII.


So where should I go? Any views on the matter are appreciated.

LSU or Clemson...that way you'd get to watch some good baseball too in the spring!

I agree...LSU or Clemson. You'd get to see some good bball games at Clemson as well.

Which has the best ranked grad program?

From a "fun" standpoint, I'd go LSU (I'm assuming you'd be on the main Baton Rouge campus, not in New Orleans or one of the other satellites). They have good football and basketball programs, and the temperature's great in the winter. May just want to keep one eye on the weather. :)

LSU or Clemson. No contest football-wise

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Originally Posted by Angie

Which has the best ranked grad program?

From a "fun" standpoint, I'd go LSU (I'm assuming you'd be on the main Baton Rouge campus, not in New Orleans or one of the other satellites). They have good football and basketball programs, and the temperature's great in the winter. May just want to keep one eye on the weather. :)

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Overall clemson has the best program, but not by much. LSU is right below them. All of the schools have at least 5 profs that I would like to research with/ have as my advisor. And yes the weather can be an issue at times in Louisiana, but it also means days off from school. :biggrin: . The only thing that really worries me about LSU, being that I row, is the gators. Tulsa can have its fair share of weather related problems as well.

LSU. Great baseball, defending National Champs. Great fan following. I love going to the CWS and spending time with their fans. Our family has adopted Tiger baseball! GEAUX TIGERS!!

And a great football atmosphere! Hope to head their with a friend and former grad this fall.

My vote goes to LSU. Land grant university, so I'm sure it's good people. Good football and Cajun food too.

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Originally Posted by jsmith86

Overall clemson has the best program, but not by much. LSU is right below them. All of the schools have at least 5 profs that I would like to research with/ have as my advisor. And yes the weather can be an issue at times in Louisiana, but it also means days off from school. :biggrin: . The only thing that really worries me about LSU, being that I row, is the gators. Tulsa can have its fair share of weather related problems as well.

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I like the silver lining here. :smile: Just keep your most valuable stuff up on a shelf.

I've never been to South Carolina - only North Carolina, but I do know it's beautiful there. I would say that the people in both Baton Rouge and (at least) North Carolina are really amazing. They've definitely got the southern hospitality thing down.

I'd personally probably choose LSU if the programs are that similar. I've worked a lot with the university, and they have always been very well-run in my dealings.

Isn't the point of getting your PhD to get it at a program that's, you know.....kind of...good?


All of that aside, if you are actually factoring in the "fun" of this, LSU or Clemson.

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Originally Posted by marothisu

Isn't the point of getting your PhD to get it at a program that's, you know.....kind of...good?


All of that aside, if you are actually factoring in the "fun" of this, LSU or Clemson.

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All of them are in the 'good' category as far as the program goes. I'm going for reaction engineering in chemical engineering, and from talking with my profs here, they are all in the top 30 for that branch, even if the entire chemical engineering program isn't at that level. I also look at it as wherever I go, the degree is what I make of it. The degree only means as much as the research and publications that back it up.

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Originally Posted by jsmith86

All of them are in the 'good' category as far as the program goes. I'm going for reaction engineering in chemical engineering, and from talking with my profs here, they are all in the top 30 for that branch, even if the entire chemical engineering program isn't at that level. I also look at it as wherever I go, the degree is what I make of it. The degree only means as much as the research and publications that back it up.

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Okay, that's good then...yes, and the degree is as good as the advisor you're assigned with :D

I'm curious, what's U of Minnesota rated with that? My dad has a PhD in chemistry from there, but that was a long time ago.

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Originally Posted by jsmith86

All of them are in the 'good' category as far as the program goes. I'm going for reaction engineering in chemical engineering, and from talking with my profs here, they are all in the top 30 for that branch, even if the entire chemical engineering program isn't at that level. I also look at it as wherever I go, the degree is what I make of it. The degree only means as much as the research and publications that back it up.

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To a certain extent yes but the school can also be a big factor (# of alumni to connect with during job search). Granted your list is rather good regardless.

Minnesota is tied for third for overall chemical engineering, so I would guess their program for reaction engineering is pretty decent as well. I didn't really look at them too heavily as I'm trying to avoid cold weather for the next few years. I also tried to avoid the top 10 schools because there is SO much competition from international students that trying to get in and get a stipend to cover expenses can be somewhat iffy these days. I also am of the view that I can either go to one of the very best schools and be a so-so student and do so-so research with a little attention from an advisor who also has 20 other grad students, or I can go to a school a little worse in the overall rankings that still has a good program where I can get the research I want and have a chance to be one of the department's star students.