Mind_Left_Body

I'll admit that I'm a nerd, but this idea might help you. I made a spreadsheet listing the schools I got into and then I ranked each school against the other based on funding, location, faculty, reputation, proximity to my hometown..... This will force you to think about all the things you are looking for and then rank each school against the other. This might help you. Either way, you are in a good position to be in.

Good points, IE_App. Weather is probably better in California. Job placement potential might be better for phds.... Go with what your gut says....visit every campus if you have time. Best of luck to u.

P.S. OR_Kid-Have you added all of your admission notices up to the results board?

---- Hi Merak-I have no idea how admissions decisions are made at each school. You may want to inquire about your app status, but be careful about telling them that you want the consider MS option. That may show desperation and then they may admit you to the MS without funding....who knows? Maybe it is best to simply wait and see what happens....

------- Congratulations on the admits. Very well done. In my opinion, MIT is your choice hands down. Stanford MS&E doesn't have great job placement, as far as I can tell (others have commented on this all over the web). Also, the San Francisco area is a VERY expensive place to live. Some polls say it is more expensive to live there than New York City. Cornell is a great school, but it is cold and tough weather there. MIT is a very prestigious school with great job placement after you finish. Boston is a fun place too. MIT is the best....no question about it.....best of luck with your decisions. I'm jealous of you.

Merak-Followup...did you indicate that you would be interested in an MS, if not qualified for PhD? If so, that might explain why you haven't heard from them.

I would politely email Stanford if you are still waiting on PhD decision. Those applications were due well before the MS applications, so they should not mind if you ask about your status. It sounds like you are A) on unofficial waitlist or being lumped into the MS application decisions. Did you tell them you would consider an MS if you don't get into Phd program. Let us know how it goes. Good luck to you! -JCL

You might want to wait a few more months.....to let things calm down a bit with the admissions crunch. Just my $0.02.

I'm in a similar boat. A major wave of PhD program rejections went out last week, but no word yet from my department. I personally think it is a bad idea to contact the dept to figure out what is going on, especially if they are still within their decision window. You might be able to contact the dept if you have caller id blocked and use one of those strange voice manipulators....just kidding! Good luck out there.

Hi Folks- I am waiting to hear back from the department about my admissions status like many others right now. I recently found out that my employer will fully cover my tuition, etc. for graduate school. At the time of submitting my application, I didn't know this, so I checked the box "seeking departmental fellowship". QUESTION: Should I politely email the graduate secretary and let her know that--if I'm fortunate enough to be accepted--I won't need a fellowship or any financial assistance? I'm not sure what the best approach is here, because I don't want to pester the department right now. On the other hand, I think it is important that they know about this change to my application. Thoughts? Thanks.