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My chances are fair. I have prior experience as a TA from my last semester of undergrad and strong recommendations. My GRE scores in verbal and quant. are stong, but my AW was somewhat weak. I'm definitely leaning towards declining B. It would be a tremendous financial strain. Tuition, books, food, and rent for two quarters would likely cost me 20,000 in student loans. I would supplement this by working, if possible, but the economic climate of City C is iffy. Thanks for the input.

You might have some luck posting this request here also: http://forum.thegradcafe.com/forum/33-computer-science/

I was accepted to three programs and waitlisted at another. Programs A,B, and C are MA programs. Program D is a PhD program. Program A was unable to provide any funding, so I turned down their offer. Of the two remaining programs, Program B guarantees funding, but it's relatively little. Program C has offered me a fairly generous research assistantship for the first quarter. Program C will not be able to offer me an assistantship for the Winter or Spring terms; however, I have submitted applications for teaching assistantships for the Winter and Spring terms in an affiliated department. Program D, my top choice, is a PhD program offering five years of very generous funding (Just to be clear with my preferences: D>C>. This first part of my dilemma emerged when I was told that I was waitlisted for Program D and that those who were offered admission had until May 1st to respond. Programs B & C asked for a decision by April 15th. I contacted the graduate coordinator of Programs B & C asking for extensions. Program B was unable to give me an extension to my decision deadline, but Program C was. With Program C, I have until late May to give my decision now. I contacted graduate coordinator of Program D and asked a few questions about my prospects of moving from the waitlist. He indicated that my prospects of being admitted from the waitlist are very good. Roughly ten applicants were selected for either admission or waitlist. The program admits as many as they can afford to fully fund for all five years. The remainder (usually 2-3) are waitlisted. The graduate coordinator explained that the waitlist has been fully exhausted almost every year. I'm left deciding whether or not I should accept Program B by Sunday, or risking the expense of two quarters at Program C if both ofthe following happen: a) I am not admitted to Program D off of the waitlist and my applications for teaching assistantships during the Winter and Spring terms are rejected. Any advice?

I am waitlisted for my top choice. The offer of admission includes full funding (tuition, stipend and benefits). I have two backups. Of the two backups, my preferred program has offered an archiving fellowship for the first quarter. I am waiting for a response on applications that I've submitted for TA positions in related programs. Should both of the above fall through, I'll be accepting an offer from my third choice. The cause of much of my anxiety rests in my top choice's decision deadline. Unlike many schools who request their admitted applicants offer their decision by April 15th, my prospective program permits decisions to be given as late as May 1st. I'm hoping to hear back from them before I am forced to accept another offer.

I would suggest that you further investigate the faculty within each program. The reputation of the program you complete will be important in many ways, but you may find that one program's faculty specializes in your area of interest.

Once I've made a decision on a program, I'll be getting a school sweatshirt, a new backpack and a U-Haul rental.

I've had a similar problem come up. I received a letter that I'd been waitlisted by my top choice. If a position opens up, it will include full funding for 5 years. Furthermore, the graduate coordinator explained that the waitlist is short and almost always exhausted eventually. Unfortunately, the students who have been accepted have until May 1st to respond. When I replied, I was brief and honest. I explained that I had received other offers, that I was obligated to respond to their offers by April 15th. I concluded by saying that until that date, if they are prepared to offer me admission, I will be ready to accept their offer immediately. I plan to call or e-mail for a follow-up on Thursday, April 12. I really hope you get into your #1. As for your other offers, if you send them an e-mail expressing your continued interest in their programs and explain that you will be contacting them with a formal decision as soon as possible, they will understand. Best of luck in your decisions!