CFBrown

I visited USC last year. LOVE the campus, staff and student atmosphere. I was accepted, but they offer little to no funding. I can't speak to NYU because I never really considered them. Meanwhile, Columbia's program wasn't terribly interesting to me because of the strict curriculum.

You really are in a tough spot...but an enviable one. Ordinarily, I'd say honesty is the best policy, but in your case that may work to your disadvantage. If you really want and need to work at this job until you go off to graduate school I would provide the two weeks notice. However, instead of saying you're going to graduate school, tell them you've accepted another offer of employment (this is where your storytelling skills would come into play). Telling them you were already set on going to graduate school will likely make them upset with you since they probably would've never hired you in the first place had they known your plans. Take this from someone who tried to get full-time professional work, but foolishly mentioned the potential departure for graduate school in his interviews....

The cons you have listed for School A are the typical cons that come with uprooting your life to move somewhere new - not unusual for grad students. However, the way you have things listed, it does seem like you'd be happier there. Perhaps you should check with your parents or relatives if they can assist you with making the move. Overall, the main question you have to answer for yourself is whether you want prestige (School A) or convenience (School , and which matters more in your field.

Your situation is not uncommon as international students are typically responsible for their own funding. Usually this funding is obtained through offers or services from your homeland in the form of scholarships or loans. You might want to check into what your country offers for funding graduate studies abroad. Also, check out the "The Bank" forum http://forum.thegradcafe.com/forum/17-the-bank/

These seem like questions that would be better answered by visiting these schools. Also, you maybe should be concerned if you're not finding many details regarding a school's courses.

Guess you know to catch it next year!

Point well taken guys... This was embarrassing to ask from the start. Any chance we could lock this thread?

I'm not trying to be offensive or anything, but I'm curious to know what's been your experience with international students as roommates? I could potentially be sharing a place with a student from China and I've heard mixed messages regarding their...residential upkeep tendencies... Should I be concerned?

If you get accepted into school C and that's where your heart is, then it won't matter what the other schools think of you if/when you withdraw your acceptance offer. There are questions you should probably ask yourself though: 1) How much funding are you being offered at school A? 2) Does it make you feel a negative way that you aren't school C's first choice? I think if you could answer these questions for yourself, you'll clear your conscience about committing to school A or withdrawing your offer to them.

Not really enough information here to provide you with a good answer...

Going to Newhouse! P.S.: Am I the only guy who's posted on here so far...???

You're doing just fine. Just make sure your GREs are solid and you'll be a no brainer to get into Columbia.

Update everyone: I picked School A, which is Syracuse! I liked my visit there enough to feel that it'll meet my needs. There is some room in the curriculum and internships for me to pursue my special interests - which is cause-related and social change communications. School C would've been my choice had Syracuse offered me a less significant scholarship. Overall, School C would've been a big gamble for me having to relocate, stay with a family member I hardly know in one of the most expensive cities in the U.S.: Washington D.C. And as nice as School B would've been, I just couldn't bring myself to go that much further into debt. Thank you all for your advice and thoughts!

I'm not familiar with the program, but I'm familiar with the city! Your best bet is to take a visit to Wayne State if you can to get a feel for the program yourself.

Actually, I'm going to commit to Syracuse!