DTY

I turned down a MA offer, but they were very nice about it, and were aware I had other PhD offers.

It took me over an hour to hit send on the email declining an offer I knew I didn't want, but still, it was hard! Even now, when I have pretty much made up my mind (99% going to accept a particular offer), I'm still not quite ready to decline my second choice. I don't know why that decision is so difficult... To be fair, I am waiting on some funding details confirmation from the school I've all but chosen to cement the deal, so I don't feel I should make the final final decision yet, but still, it's stressful! I think part of it is a touch of imposter syndrome... worrying my other schools will rescind their offers, and then I'll be stuck with none after having multiple, which I know is ridiculous, but my brain isn't always rational. Has anyone else been experiencing this?

Yes, I did this and I have three funded offers in three different fields, and one waitlist at a top school in one of those fields. If you have interests that fit multiple disciples, apply to multiple disciplines.

Not in my experience - at both schools, most people in the departments leaned more liberal.

I just got an email today about confirming the address for the stipend payment.

free tuition

I don't know much about Washington, but with Arizona, I would make sure your funding is guaranteed for the length of the program due to state budget cuts... However, that being said, Arizona, and Tucson in general is a great place for general studies and Tucson is an absolutely wonderful and affordable place to live (and the weather is fantastic, with lots of non-grad school things to enjoy around town). There is a vibrant community, and great housing options. That being said, it is an R1 and the stresses that come from being at that type of university are definitely felt by the graduate student population... as well as the heavier loads carried by TAs due to the state budget issues. I would ask some very candid questions about that when you visit or speak with the program. There are also some good university fellowships available for incoming students. All in all, Gender Studies at UA is very visible and very involved in the university community - it's definitely a place where students can thrive.

And this is after deep cuts just a few years ago too, Arizona (the state) is gutting its higher education funding. It's scary.

Same here, when I grade, sometimes I have to go back to earlier papers and adjust their grades based on how the entire class performed on the assignment in order to make sure everyone is graded fairly.

I'm in somewhat of the same boat (an admit in two different fields)... If I were you, I'd go with the higher ranking program.

I had just finished a meeting and checked my phone, I literally said, almost dejectedly even, "shit, I got another acceptance." I don't know why I wasn't super excited, but I think I felt bad because a few of my friends didn't get funding and/or offers, so I didn't want to make a big deal about it. I should probably add, I screamed like Oprah gave me a car when I got my first acceptance. I was VERY excited. I couldn't even form words.

Ducks failure

I've had the most luck using traditional moving services - I moved across the country twice, both times with one bedroom apartment's worth of stuff. Each time I spent about $1000 - I got estimates online and paid for square footage in a moving truck. The downside is you might have to wait for a week or two to get your stuff, the upside is that it's cheaper than the DIY options I investigated and I just invested in insurance in case of careless movers.

My doctor is the worst, and apparently unwilling to actually speak with me unless I make an appointment. When I was uninsured, my free clinic doctor used to personally call me with test results and follow-ups. If a free clinic physician can do it, why can't a well paid employee of a well known health clinic take the time?!?! This is why people trust the internet more than their own highly trained medical professionals.