MolecularMedic

What factors are you guys using to decide where to go? I got into UPenn (CAMB), Princeton (Mol Bio), UCSF (DSCB), and Yale (MCGD). And I could use a little help figuring out what to do! =( My gut says Princeton or UCSF. Every grad student I met at Yale seemed to be miserable, and UPenn just felt... okay, not spectacular for me. But how do you decide what is more important? Research opportunities? Name-recognition? Funding? How do you compare the top-tier universities against one another if you have a gut feeling of YES to two of them?

I accepted the interviews because everywhere I applied already sent out invitations. I had assumed UCSF had passed on me. =/

I spoke with UCSF just a bit ago. They have an alternate weekend, Jan 23 - 24th. This is a day shorter? It also conflicts with UC Santa Cruz (which I had already accepted an interview with as well). For both UCSF and UC Santa Cruz I wouldn't need plane tickets since I am local to the bay area. It seems like no matter what I do, I will have to cancel on a school. I'm just worried because UCSF is one of my top schools, like ever. I want to get an offer there so bloody badly.

Additional side question: Are alternate weekends 'bad?' Do they have lower offer-rates or anything like that?

Hey everyone, Long-time lurker, first time poster. I'm applying for dev bio programs this cycle and am at a bit of a crossroads. I have been offered interviews at a number of schools but I need help with three of them. UPenn, UCSF (DSCB), and Yale to be explicit. Here's where I'm at with dates: UCSF Feb 5 - 7 Yale Feb 6 – 8 or Feb 19 – 21 UPenn Feb 19 - 21 I have already accepted UPenn and Yale. I have plane tickets for both already purchased. For the Yale interview I initially accepted the Feb 6 - 8 weekend, but I know the Feb 19 - 21 weekend exists. Today I was given a chance to interview at UCSF, one of my absolute TOP schools. In order to make this all work, I would have to change tickets/weekends at Yale and UPenn. Is that even feasible? I don't even know yet if UPenn has an alternate weekend. What should I do? I have to decide by Friday! Please help me! - MolecularMedic