Art Schoolhopeful: I feel exactly as you do and even prior to entering the application round, I was having hesitations if the academy was truly the way of life I wanted to pursue. I have already had a taste of gradaute life and I don't know if I can sustain it for the rest of my life.
I also appreciated Bobo's input. . I have some really good friends, who are finished with their PhD's at UChicago who are having difficulties finding jobs or what would be their ideal job. One found placement in a small liberal arts college in god knows obscure city; whereas a friend of hers was lucky (or the demand was there at the time) and she was placed in a bigger, more prestigious institution. Or another, who spent 2 years looking for a position, was finally placed in a state school teaching Intro to Art. A friend once told me "Even if you did everything right, you might still not find a job, or the one you were hoping for." Its hard hearing the depressing realities of post-Phd because it makes us question our path.
But, although doubtful, if I was admitted to my top choice institution, I would attend