U.S. Graduate School Applications (2): How to Choose a U.S. Graduate School PhD Program Beyond Rankings

Introduction

In the previous article, I discussed how to prepare key application documents for U.S. graduate school, including the Statement of Purpose (SOP) and CV.

In this article, I want to focus on a question that almost every applicant struggles with:

How should I choose a U.S. graduate school PhD program?

Choosing a graduate school is similar to choosing a university major in Taiwan:

Should you prioritize the school, the program, or the advisor?

This decision often has a long-term impact on your PhD research direction and your post-graduation career.

This article focuses primarily on applicants considering U.S. PhD programs.

Before Choosing a U.S. Graduate School PhD Program, Ask: What Career Do You Want?

Before looking at rankings, I strongly recommend asking yourself one key question:

👉 What kind of career do you want after your PhD?

If possible, try different research projects or internships during your undergraduate or early graduate years. This exploration is extremely helpful when making U.S. graduate school selection decisions.

For example, in biomedical engineering and biotechnology, common career paths include:

• Research & Development (R&D)

• Process or Product Development

• Quality-related roles

• Regulatory or legal roles

Each path requires different skills, mindsets, and training.

What you work on during your PhD often determines which roles you are competitive for after graduation.

Why Research Direction Is Central to Choosing a U.S. Graduate School PhD

Based on my own experience:

During the early years of my PhD at Cornell University, my chemical engineering background led me to develop a high-throughput 3D cell culture technology, where cells and extracellular matrix were encapsulated in hydrogel capsules. This work was closely aligned with process development roles in industry.

Later in my PhD and during my postdoctoral training at MIT and Boston Children’s Hospital, my research shifted toward mRNA lipid nanoparticle (LNP) materials and delivery systems, which aligned more closely with R&D rolesin pharmaceutical companies.

These research choices directly shaped my career trajectory in industry.

This is why, when deciding how to choose a U.S. graduate school PhD program, the research focus and advisor’s expertise often matter more than the school name alone.

How Should You Use Rankings When Choosing a U.S. Graduate School?

Most applicants begin with rankings such as:

• U.S. News

• QS World University Rankings

• Times Higher Education (THE)

For example, Cornell University typically ranks:

• ~17th in U.S. News (U.S.)

• ~21st in QS (global)

• ~22nd in THE (global)

• ~11th in Biomedical Engineering (U.S. News)

Rankings can be useful, but for PhD applicants, they should never be the sole decision factor.

Where Do You Plan to Work After Graduation?

One often-overlooked but critical question is:

👉 Where do you plan to work after your PhD?

If you plan to return to Taiwan or work elsewhere in Asia, you should consider:

• Whether the school’s name is widely recognized

• How easily employers can interpret your academic background

This is not a value judgment—it is simply a practical reality of the job market.

Location and Industry Ecosystem Matter More Than You Think

Geographic location strongly influences:

• Internship opportunities

• Industry exposure

• Professional networks

• Job placement after graduation

For example, compared to more remote college towns, regions like Boston offer dense integration between universities, hospitals, startups, and large pharmaceutical companies.

When thinking about how to choose a U.S. graduate school PhD program, location and ecosystem should be evaluated alongside academic strength.

Research Facilities and Resources Are Part of the Equation

For research-driven PhD programs, access to equipment and technical support can matter more than rankings.

If your work depends on specialized facilities, choosing a school with strong infrastructure will significantly affect your training quality and productivity.

Why Many Applicants Struggle With U.S. Graduate School Selection

In advising students, I frequently see applicants struggle because they:

• Don’t know how to balance advisor vs. ranking

• Are unsure which schools fit their background

• Underestimate how research focus affects long-term careers

• Lack an external, strategic perspective

This is why choosing a U.S. graduate school PhD program is often harder than writing application documents.

Graduate School Selection & Application Advising

Learn More

If you are preparing for U.S. graduate school or PhD applications and feel uncertain about how to choose a U.S. graduate school PhD program, I offer advising services that include:

• Graduate school and PhD program selection strategy

• Advisor and research direction alignment analysis

• STEM and biomedical PhD application planning

These sessions are not template-based. They are grounded in first-hand experience in U.S. academia and the biomedical industry, and focus on long-term career alignment.

Schedule an appointment

Conclusion: There Is No “Best” School—Only the Right Fit

When deciding where to apply or which offer to accept, remember:

There is no universally best U.S. graduate school—only the one that best fits your goals.

By considering career direction, research focus, advisors, location, and personal preferences together, you can make a decision you will not regret.

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