Is transferring graduate programs from a top 20 school to a top

>>18704520
Professor writing here.

There is no question that at your level a top school carries more prestige than a second tier one (say, Harvard vs the very best State U)

But there is equally no question that if you get into the right lab with the right mentor you may very well get a better education at the top 20 than in a less cutting edge lab in a top 10.

My gut says go where you will get the best training, do the best work, and maybe even establish a reputation, whichever school that is. Your record and references will ultimately count more than the school