ExileFromAFutureTime

@Onwarrdz I am relocating to Ann Arbor from Berlin, Germany, and share your concerns about a more parochial living experience. The academic program is excellent but I have a hard time conjuring enthusiasm for Ann Arbor. The university-area rental stock is in terrible shape and incredibly expensive. As far as I could tell during my visit, there are no major grocery store or useful stores in the downtown, meaning one has to bus/drive just to get day-to-day necessities. We are currently car-free and want to remain that way, but it seems impossible to do so given the town's infrastructure. I'm sure I'll find elements of small-town living that are enjoyable and appreciate what others have laid out, but ugh, I'm dreading this move.

I accepted the University of Michigan's offer, PhD in American Culture. Feeling strangely ambivalent about it; it's a great program with tons of resources and I'm excited to begin the journey, but I do not like the location at all. Hoping to make the best of it as no offer had everything I was looking for. Now to have a glass of wine. I'm relieved that this part of the process is over.

I received an email from director of admissions at NYU stating that they won't be going to the waitlist. Well, damn.

Removed myself from the Emory waitlist. Fingernail biting time.

Also on the NYU waitlist and hoping to hear something positive by the end of this week! My partner and I would love to be in the city because we absolutely hate the idea of having to get a car and organize our lives around driving. We currently live in a city and are finding it difficult to imagine the next five or six years in a college town. A question in a similar vein: how is NYU healthcare?

Checking in - anyone considering declining NYU? My waitlist purgatory continues.

Hi, my partner is a director-level interaction designer. He recommends SVA for a more 'straightforward' UX/IXD experience. CCA may also be a good choice, given that it is work-oriented and only a year in length. NYU is more experimental, a meeting place of art and technology- not exactly what you're looking for.

I needed a friend to tell me this so I'll tell you: also apply to top-ten programs. Apply to some ivies. Don't limit yourself to the 20-60 range.

Back at you @dilby, you made a decision yet?

I'm on NYU's waitlist and I know there's little movement until April 15. Plus, their visit weekend has not yet occurred. Still, I'm curious if anyone is considering not attending NYU? I'm assuming if I do get in I'll have 24 hours to make a decision. Eep.

I remember an earlier post where you were leaning towards Brown over Michigan - how did you come around to Michigan in the end? Glad to hear there's closure on your decision.

It's looking like U Michigan for me, barring a status change on waitlists.

I've officially turned down the University of Houston's funding + fellowship offer.

Not exactly prestige, but what about resources? Which school will give you the tools you need to undertake the research you want? Professionalisation? Help you get to conferences? Pay attention to your work and connect you with opportunities? One prof at a lower-ranked school encouraged me to go a 'prestigious' one - not for name, but bc the program could offer me more support. She said this knowing that my interests alligned really well with her own at the lower-ranked school. But yeah, I feel you. Its like a never-ending pro and con list that I'm kicking around in my head all day.

Okay, the future is coming into focus. Last week I declined York University's fully funded offer + fellowship (English). Today I declined Purdue's fully funded offer + fellowship (American Studies). I think the finality of the decision is what has been giving me trouble; the moment before deciding my life could go in multiple directions. By saying 'no' I'm giving up an alternate academic experience and a hypothetical life elsewhere.

I'm turning down Purdue's fully funded offer + fellowship if that helps anyone here.

I didn't expect to feel so much angst turning down offers. Anyone else feeling similarly? I'm dragging on sending out the emails.

I declined a fully-funded Ph.D. offer to York University (Toronto) last week.

Rutgers is also unionized and they are militant- just authorised a strike vote. Mobbies in the best way.

Has anyone seen examples on this forum as to how to politely and diplomatically decline offers of admission? How explicit should I be, especially if low funding is the issue?

Received notice I was accepted to York University (Toronto) via email today. The university I haven't heard from is Rutgers, and I'm going to assume a rejection there. Thankful this is almost over.

Received an email that I'm waitlisted for NYU (English). That just leaves Rutgers in the air. Happy this is almost over.

Congrats on the Yale acceptance, @dilby, how wonderful!

Wow, waitlisted at NYU. Wasn't expecting that.

Now that we're approaching the end of the application cycle, what would you have done differently if you had to do it again? If you will go through the application process again next year, what will you change? My own answer: I didn't prioritize 'fit' as much as I should have, which meant that I applied to schools that were an almost guaranteed rejection. I also didn't consider the present department faculty as much as I should; I applied to specific programs because of certain (now retired - or even deceased) scholars. I learned about certain exciting programs too late in the application process to apply - part of this is due to being an international applicant and not being as knowledgeable about the US academic scene. I definitely would have applied to UCSD English and UT Austin English and to fewer PA/NJ/NYC schools which shall remain unnamed. Finally, I would have spent far less time anguishing over the GRE quantitative section. Your turn!