phdfall2011

Yes, I agree that declining admits would be a high-risk move. To add to it, the acceptance rates at all these schools are single digits. I guess I will take up B or C. Thanks all!

Thanks all for the replies! All the admits are for PhD, and all schools are funding me. B's funding offer is good, C is yet to let me know its offer. Of course I'll be upset if I get shutout from B and C too next year, I was just thinking of deferring the admit if possible. But as ZeChocMoose mentioned, I might be able to reapply to A while at B or C. The only worry would be the people at B/C might be pissed with me doing it, given that they are funding me. I'm planning to visit all the schools that admitted me before making a choice. Thanks again for the great responses!

My apologies if this question is inappropriate. I have a weird situation, and I'm not able to make a decision hence thought I would ask for advice here. I am a Fall 2011 applicant, and I have been accepted to many good places. I applied to three top schools, let's call them A, B and C and have received admits from B and C but unfortunately A rejected me. My research background and interests had the best fit at A, and there is this professor whom I *really* want to work with at A. While B and C are ranked the same as A, they are not as good a fit as A in terms of research. I understand that research interests and hot topics change over time, but I somehow feel my research momentum could have the best benefit at A. I'm perplexed as to how to handle this situation. I've heard people defer admits, but I'm afraid it could send the wrong message since all these schools are extremely selective and I am fortunate to get into two of them. Any suggestions?