zabka

I agree with David. The school wants to know because it can be used as information to make the program more attractive to future students. So while I wouldn't necessarily divulge an entirely negative view of a program, if there is a discrete reason you chose against a school that is within their control to change (e.g. Funding, teaching opportunities) then it's not a bad idea to mention. You don't have to of course but some future student may thank you

I agree with David. The school wants to know because it can be used as information to make the program more attractive to future students. So while I wouldn't necessarily divulge an entirely negative view of a program, if there is a discrete reason you chose against a school that is within their control to change (e.g. Funding, teaching opportunities) then it's not a bad idea to mention. You don't have to of course but some future student may thank you

I've just turned down places at Cornell and Rutgers (concentration C20th British). Hope this helps someone out...

It's hard to give advice without knowing the specifics of each school, your area of interest (poetry, no?), and eventual career goals. I understand though wanting to maintain some privacy on GC and I'm actually quite certain of the two schools you are talking about. 
 
I have gotten two strains of advice relating to this, but it mostly boils down to this: go where you get the most possible time in fellowship (i.e. without teaching responsibilities) because you will be able to make the most of graduate school as a period of uninterrupted intellectual growth and you will have the time to publish and become the best researcher/scholar you can be. The only exception to this is if you have your heart set on a small teaching-focused university for eventual employment in which case an argument could be made for more teaching. In this case though, you might be better off in a program where you designed and taught your own courses which doesn't (to my knowledge) happen in the top 10. Regardless, with these options, you can't make a wrong choice (everyone keeps reminding me this and it is strangely calming). 
 
What I've said is an argument for School B. Proflorax is right, of course, that less teaching could potentially be a liability on the job market although I don't think it is at this particular school because of the more robust support structure and the history the graduates have with getting jobs.  Best of luck with your decision! 

Hello again. Thanks for including the real identities of the schools. I was actually mistaken about the identity of school B and I definitely understand your caution. 
 
Unless you feel like school B couldn't support your project, then I would absolutely urge you to take the offer with more fellowship time, especially since you do get to create a syllabus of your own and get three quarters of teaching experience. This is nothing against school A. In fact, i think it is a wonderful school and program as well. But the way I see it, if your goal is becoming a professor at a school with a quality graduate program then much of your career will be spent trying to balance responsibilities of teaching, research, and service. While one could argue that you might learn how to balance them better at School A, I think nothing is as invaluable as uninterrupted research time to better yourself as a writer/scholar. Indeed, later in your career you will most certainly be applying for external or internal awards (e.g. guggenheim fellowships) so that you can be released from your teaching/service obligations in order to focus on your research. I'm sure some will disagree and I don't think this advice is applicable to students across tiers, but it rings true for me in your case. Good luck!

Sounds like a very tempting offer, nyctophile! Everyone at my current institution has really emphasized the importance of fellowship time plus having that kinda flexibility means you can work to your strengths, Hopefully, you'll get a chance to speak to as many students and profs so you can get a sense of the people--I met some of the profs recently and they were lovely. This might be controversial but I think the less teaching time only becomes a liability outside of the top 10-15. Princeton grads definitely get jobs. Luckily, it doesn't seem like you can make a bad choice. Good luck!

So, I was (as you might remember) in a similiar pickle recently. I asked around a lot and most professors and grad students seemed to agree that only one year of teaching might put you at a serious disatvantage on the job market. But Princeton would let you teach more if you wanted (and I think they even pay you extra for any teaching you do in addition to what's required).

Yep, just a bit ago...it didn't seem at face value to be better than my other offer. then I spoke to a current grad student on the phone and he said that though it says five years in a combination of teaching and fellowship, in reality I'll only be required to teach one year and the rest are fellowship. I'll need to confirm with the DGS but damn...that is a LOT of research time! the biggest draw of the other program is the people, both the professors and the grad students. now I'm trying to decide between following the money or joining my people. 

That is very true and I would want to do more teaching than the one year BUT since it's not a requirement I feel like that would allow me greater flexibility in choosing when and how much to teach. Ack! one more thing to consider!

Ah the dreaded wait list. Are you positive you prefer that school to your other options? Have you spoken to them about what your chances are at this stage?

I am in a similar situation. I have decided not to ask for an extension. The school I am wait listed at assumed (correctly) that I have other offers and is doing their best to get an offer to me by the deadline. I'm not sure what ill do if a spot comes through after the fact.

If I were you, I would decided among your current choices, decline other offers, and then wait until you get word from the wait list school. Most of the time, they make an effort to let you know either way before the deadline. If they are still unsure as of Tuesday morning, then get excited about your current option and accept/ask for an extension. The wait list is a necessary evil but it is definitely tough to navigate. Fingers crossed for everyone still waiting!

I'd like to add one more consideration to the mix. Lots of people are (rightfully) talking about the now, but I also want to remind all prospective dog parents to think about the future. We work in a field that requires lots of moving, and often with little or no choice on our behalf. I believe adopting a pet is a lifetime commitment, so before bringing Fido home, ask yourself if you're willing to bring your puppy with you wherever you go. If your post-doc is in San Francisco and it's hard to find affordable pet-friendly housing, are you gonna do what it takes to find a pet-friendly living space or will you give the dog up? If you win a Fulbright, will you bring Fido with you, do you have family who can foster while you are away, or will Fido end up in a shelter? Imagine your life in ten years: do you see an older Buster sitting on your lap? If not, I'd say look into fostering for a local shelter or dogsitting for your friends. 

Honestly (and I don't mean this to sound as harsh as it does) but I think it is extremely bad form to ask for an extension without extenuating circumstances. The universal deadline exists for a reason. It allows schools to go through their first round offers, extend offers to waitlisters, etc. all in a timely and "fair" fashion. If you ask for an extension and then turn down a school, it can't go to its wait list until after the deadline which means that many people on its wait list will have accepted other offers. Sure, technically, these people can ask to be realized from their programs, but this creates a messiness that trickles down. What will one extra day to consider your offer do for you?

I was going to say "It's me!" but then i checked the time of your message and saw the below:
 
 
 
So, I guess: Hello! Me too!
 
Although the relief didn't last long b/c now I'm in agonies waiting for the official offer letter. Did you already receive yours???

Ha, I am in the exact same position. I have narrowed it down to a single school, but i am waitlisted at a school i have always wanted to attend so here i am. Good luck --i hope we both hear soon!

Loooong time lurker, but this topic really hit home (get it? ah internet humor)
 
I'm sorry that you're struggling with this Lisa. I really urge you to go with your first choice though. Echoing the other posters, graduate school is too long and the job market too depressing to not go where you think you'll be the happiest. Your family will understand, I promise. And it is not a difficult trip from Philly to NYC (trains/buses/driving). I know lots of people who are in long distance relationships who make the trip often. Best of luck with everything though --I remember your choices and it seems you can't go wrong

Just got in off of the wait list at UCONN! I'm so happy!!!!!!! Hope is alive for everyone on wait lists!