nervousapplicant

Yeah, I'm having this issue too. I'm Canadian and only applied to Canadian schools. I've been accepted to one, wait-listed at another and so far have heard nothing from the remaining two (which are my two bottom choices anyway, so it kind of helps, I suppose). The acceptance is a great offer (funding, TAship, excellent for my research interests, good course offerings, etc.) from a small school, and the wait-list is a - well, a wait-list offer from one of the best schools in Canada. No funding, no TAship, a few good potential advisers, great library resources, average course offerings. But it has that reputation factor. I'm 9 on the wait-list but they told me they can't know for sure until April 1. Meanwhile, I have until March 14th to accept the other offer, which is my gut instinct. Of course, that school is literally across the country from where I am. The idea of moving 3000 kilometres plus the reputation factor are both giving me pause. But I'm not going to gamble my future on getting off the wait-list for a school that's a less than perfect fit. AH! These deadlines are so anxiety inducing. I wish Canadian schools had the April 15th agreement. How can I have to decide for one school by March 14 without having heard anything at all from two of my other schools?

Hoping I can get some advice on this. I've put the questions out to old professors, friends who are current grad students and basically everyone I know, but I would appreciate feedback here too! I've been accepted with funding and a TAship at School A, and waitlisted (but apparently high on the list) at School B. School A is small and less prestigious than School B, which is essentially the best-known school in my country (not the US). However, School A is an excellent research fit, with multiple faculty members working in areas similar to mine. The money is good, but what I really want is the TAship. Meanwhile, at School B, there is a large faculty and two or three potential research advisors who are good but not great fits for me. This school offers more course selection and, of course, the brand name reputation, but it's unlikely I'll get funding or a TAship (generally reserved for PhD students). I'm also still waiting to hear back from two other schools. How important is reputation, especially if this is only my MA? I want to continue on to a PhD but my worries are that I'll be unprepared after going to School A, or less likely to get in because of the reputation. But School B seems so impersonal, and School A has been absolutely lovely to deal with so far and very inviting and accommodating. To complicate matters, School A's decision deadline is March 14. School B has said they will inform me on April 1 or earlier (if possible) about my admission status, and that "the odds are very good" that I'll be admitted. So, what do I do? I see this as a case of fit/funding/teaching experience (all excellent) vs. reputation (not as important to me, but important to everyone else?).