neuronerdasaurus

I have a similar question. I have narrowed my decision down to two options: School A: Top 10 At least 4 professors I could see myself working with 31k a year... BUT in a very expensive city (LA) Definitely a more stressful environment... I felt like most of the students I met seemed pretty stressed School B: Top 20-30 Only really 2 professors I am excited about Awarded additional fellowship on top of stipend: 40k a year in a very reasonable city students seemed very happy Everything makes School B such an easy choice but I really really like the research at A so I am pretty torn If I am sure that I would commit to School A if they offered me more money, would it be appropriate to tell them my other offer? 31k is definitely livable, it would just be tight in comparison to 40k. I don't want to phrase it in a way that would take away the option of attending A if they don't match the other offer.