I am working hard to receive admission to a PhD program from a P5 institution.

Logistically, definitely UCLA. Alumni network is really strong, very recognizable internationally, a public institution, etc. It's my top choice as an upcoming sophomore and it probably won't change. Unless if I get into Cal or Stanford (especially Knight-Hennessy), that'll be a different discussion later in the future. They're miles ahead for the field I want to work in.

Dream wise if I was completely alone and everything was free for me, I'm gonna have to go with Penn State. Very strong alumni, probably the best school in terms of athletics in the East coast (especially football), packed houses you can't get in California, underrated for academics (not too behind the Ivies besides, actually), etc. I just like their environment too. Yeah sure, there are the dream schools everyone wants to go to, such as Stanford, Vandy, Duke, etc., but they really don't appeal to me as much as PSU looking at the whole picture.