[Doing research in NYC without being a student]

NYPL is a good option if you can't get an alternative affiliation. You can apply to their research rooms which give you card access to a quiet working space, order their collections to be delivered to the room and you can ILL. https://www.nypl.org/about/locations/schwarzman/research-study-rooms

[2019 Visit Days/Decisions]

7 hours ago, cyborg213 said:

I'm in a similar situation (also an international student), so I really relate to what you're going through. I wouldn't worry about wasting people's time (which I understand might be one of your concerns), because it's perfectly reasonable for your POIs and other faculty and staff to spend some time talking to you over the phone or doing whatever is in their hands to recruit you. If you are accepted it means they really want you, so for them it's part of the process to spend time and other resources in order to “seduce you” - I kind of hate this metaphor, but it really feels like that, doesn't it? I'm about to decline an offer and I feel terrible about it, nervous, fearful, like I'm gonna break someone's heart! Yikes! Then I remember I'm not that important. For instance, I have been invited by one of the schools to a campus visit and they are paying for everything and are being extra nice and supportive. This would never happen in my country, and I feel I'm accepting a very expensive gift that I shouldn't accept, especially if I'm not completely sure I will attend this program. But again, it's part of the process. So make all the questions you need to make in order to make an informed decision. And although I wouldn't make a big deal out of it, I would definitely be honest with this POI about the fact that you are considering more options, and are still in the process of making decisions. 

It does feel like that and it's kind of disconcerting after spending so many months hoping to impress these people. I guess it's a bit of imposter syndrome already creeping in which I'm trying to keep a handle on. You're right about turning down an offer feeling so daunting but the perspective that at the end of the day, it's not that important is exactly it! Thanks for your words of reassurance

6 hours ago, TMP said:

Stick to your gut. These kinds of decisions are similar to weighing marriage proposals.  You just have to pick one partner to be with for the next 5-7 years. Have you talked with graduate students?  They can help you for sure; ask the Director of Graduate Studies and your POIs to connect with international students in your program.  These students can give you a real clarity on the process from accepting an offer to logistics of moving to the US to navigating the University's bureaucracy. 

Thank you for this advice! I was planning to ask to speak to current graduate students but asking to speak to other internationals is definitely a good idea. 

[2019 Visit Days/Decisions]

Hi everyone, I'm a long time lurker on these forums and will probably post more as I come to making decisions (I have three offers that I'm deciding between). I'm an international student and can't go on any of the visit days due to visa issues, so I've been emailing and will skype with my POIs to help me decide. One of my three offers is probably the one I will accept but I haven't fully committed to it yet because it is such a big decision. I'm not sure how open to be about this with the POIs -- one of them at another choice has suggested he could advocate for housing for me to help me make my decision, so I'm torn between being transparent and telling him that I'm leaning towards another option but would like still like to talk over the phone, or not and letting him do so. I don't want him to feel like I'm wasting his time. Generally, I'm just finding this quite difficult to navigate in a way that doesn't drag it out but also allows me to consider everything!