phalanges

A classmate of mine went through a sort of similar sort of realization this year. He decided that he wanted to do something a little more applied, but wasn't against continuing with his master's work at our school. He told his advisor about his plans to apply to more applied programs, but also indicated that he would also like to apply to the PhD program at our school, and would go to whichever place he thought was the best fit for him in the end. 
 
I think that there is a diplomatic way to approach your advisor for a reference letter without burning bridges, or making it seem like you don't want to work with them any more. 
 
Good luck!

A classmate of mine went through a sort of similar sort of realization this year. He decided that he wanted to do something a little more applied, but wasn't against continuing with his master's work at our school. He told his advisor about his plans to apply to more applied programs, but also indicated that he would also like to apply to the PhD program at our school, and would go to whichever place he thought was the best fit for him in the end. 
 
I think that there is a diplomatic way to approach your advisor for a reference letter without burning bridges, or making it seem like you don't want to work with them any more. 
 
Good luck!

It's not just the act of turning down the schools...it's the stress over whether or not you're making the right choice, whether you're giving up better experiences, the fear of burning bridges in a small field.  I don't know; I was deciding between my current school and a place I went and visited, and when they're only accepting 5 people per year you feel sort of connected to them.

have you considered calling and asking? that's the best way to get the exact answer for your school. otherwise, i feel like all we can do is speculate. 

I've been wrestling between two schools for over a week. Every time I pick one I'm struck with so much anxiety that I can't get anything done until I have proven to myself that it is te right choice (which invariably fails, resulting in a change of choice). I've asked a few mentors for advice and in the end their opinion is, "you can't go wrong," which is unhelpful in making a decision.

After all is said and done, I've spent a week feeling like I want to go to one of them, but I should go to the other. I resolved to go to the latter yesterday and I've felt less anxious about it than ever before, which makes me think I've arrived at my conclusion... but I still haven't accepted just in case I change my mind (again).

I've been wrestling between two schools for over a week. Every time I pick one I'm struck with so much anxiety that I can't get anything done until I have proven to myself that it is te right choice (which invariably fails, resulting in a change of choice). I've asked a few mentors for advice and in the end their opinion is, "you can't go wrong," which is unhelpful in making a decision.

After all is said and done, I've spent a week feeling like I want to go to one of them, but I should go to the other. I resolved to go to the latter yesterday and I've felt less anxious about it than ever before, which makes me think I've arrived at my conclusion... but I still haven't accepted just in case I change my mind (again).

Hey,
 
I did my undergrad at U of T.
 
The best way to find an apartment is probably on craigslist: http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/, the trouble with apartment hunting in Toronto is that places go very quickly (I've gone to see a place on multiple occassions, on the same day as the posting, to already find them rented out), and there is a good chance that no one will rent to you without meeting you first. Also, in Toronto people are supposed to give 60 days notice, so places go up for rent long before you move in. There isn't really a good season for apartment hunting, but close to the university people tend to move in / out on May or June 1st or September 1st. It's hard to say how long it'll take you to find a place to live, but setting up everything else shouldn't take too long.  As for a ticket, that depends on if you have a planned return trip in mind, or if it is significantly cheaper than a one way ticket. I recommend flights.google.com The best place to live imo is Kensington market / the Annex - North of Dundas, West of McCaul, South of Dupont, and East of Bathurst. 

Hey,
 
I did my undergrad at U of T.
 
The best way to find an apartment is probably on craigslist: http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/, the trouble with apartment hunting in Toronto is that places go very quickly (I've gone to see a place on multiple occassions, on the same day as the posting, to already find them rented out), and there is a good chance that no one will rent to you without meeting you first. Also, in Toronto people are supposed to give 60 days notice, so places go up for rent long before you move in. There isn't really a good season for apartment hunting, but close to the university people tend to move in / out on May or June 1st or September 1st. It's hard to say how long it'll take you to find a place to live, but setting up everything else shouldn't take too long.  As for a ticket, that depends on if you have a planned return trip in mind, or if it is significantly cheaper than a one way ticket. I recommend flights.google.com The best place to live imo is Kensington market / the Annex - North of Dundas, West of McCaul, South of Dupont, and East of Bathurst. 

@RubyBright install the "undo" feature on gmail. problem solved.