258Brooklyn

Am I wrong, then, to think that a department that is trying hard now to get me to come will continue to want to invest in my success? Sorry if I sound like a softie here, but I hear so many miserable things about grad students having to wait months until they get feedback on their prospectus and worst. While obviously there are no guarantees in life and things can change at any time, at any institution, wouldn't it be better to go to a department where you are fairly confident (as much as you can from brief interactions at this point) that the advisor really wants to work with you, whom you hear from her current students that she really spends a lot of time supporting/promoting her advisees, even though the research interest is not a "perfect fit", then to go to a department where that type of support is still an unknown? (Obviously, these programs are very close, that is why I am splitting hairs -- and yes, I realize I am still only a waitlist at one of them).

On paper it's a toss up between School A and B -- great faculty in my field, good career placement, comparable funding. School A has shown me a lot of love - was told I was the "first call", extra fellowship, lots of contact with the DGS who would likely also be my advisor, etc. While I could be very happy there, School B is actually my top choice at this point (some real super stars in my period, better fit in terms of research interests, more faculty in my period, slightly higher reputation). However, I am on the waitlist at School B. While I was told by the Ad Comm director that he was "optimistic" I'd get off the waitlist, that was before I actually met him, and after a not-so-great meeting, he hasn't replied to my last two emails. Now, does this mean I've fallen out of favor or he's just really busy? Who knows. I was told by a former professor that I should go with School A even if I get into School B because it is so important to be appreciated by one's department, to know you have that support and be really wanted -- could help to get that extra funding, support for finding work, little things along one's career. Of course all those things are important, but more important than the chance to work with the faculty in a department I'd prefer? The trick is I don't know how "involved" those super stars might be with their grad students, while at School A I would be guaranteed to work with a totally awesome advisor, even if her specific interests don't perfectly align with my own. The other question is ... do I hold out until 5pm on April 15th to let School A know that I'm coming? Is that what you do? Just doesn't seem like the best way to start off with a new department that's been really good to me so far. Any feedback would be appreciated.