PhDreams

I guess HGSE is just the emotional choice. When I went to visit it "felt" right... Like "wow, I'm supposed to be here. This is it." I just connected to it for some reason. The class structure was amazing, the faculty was truly remarkable and everyone in the cohort had something really valuable to add(I went to visit an actual class).

I found that the students at my fully funded offer didn't really "dig deep" in class; this concerns me. I found myself thinking, "can I really sit in these classes for a year with students that aren't truly passionate about education"? I found that the students at HGSE had a different level of commitment to the field. This, of course, is just a very broad generalization.

My fully funded offer comes with the perfect advisor and a potential research site match (not for sure yet). I'm just thinking that I might get slightly frustrated in a program with students who (their words not mine) "just needed something to do after undergrad."

I really am torn. I was dead set on HGSE, but now I feel like I might be silly to reject a fully funded offer. They just emailed me a couple of days ago the fellowship info. They went into how rare it was for a masters candidate to get it, etc. now I'm just not sure it it's guilt or something similar that's driving me to consider it...

That being said, how much is the experience all worth? I would definitely have the faculty support and research opportunities at the fully funded offer or I would get " the experience " at HGSE... The experience would be - students and faculty that push me to become better in my field, "name brand" recognition, access to projects that I've admired for a looong time like Project Zero, etc.
I'm worried that I'll make the "wrong" decision. Do I sit in my classroom and read about people in the field that I've admired for a long time like Howard Gardner, etc or do I go to the place where they are - HGSE?

Still no funding info from HGSE so I don't have all the info. Guess I just needed to vent because I was so overwhelmed today with my visit and getting the "hard sell." I'm not a person who does well with praise and it was all overwhelming... I was so glad it was over and I got to run back to relax at my hotel. Thanks for listening GC.

I guess some people live by the motto- "you have to play to win" and others by "it's better safe than sorry." You just have to decide what's best for you personally. Both strategies have their drawbacks...

I would never encourage irresponsible behavior. If you can make both situations work, I would definitely go with the one that will make you the happiest even if it requires considerably more sacrifice.

Well luckily for those of us attending HGSE in the fall, this is not the case.

$400k is simply absurd and would fall into the category which I referred to as "irresponsible" for me. Since I could make both situations work as I mentioned, Michigan and HGSE, HGSE was the obvious choice even if it will require a bit more sacrifice on my part. As you mentioned, we all have our points where options are no longer feasible. It sounds like HGSE is not a feasible or responsible option for you, but for many of us it is. All of us have different standards for which we make decisions. It doesn't sound like not attending HGSE was an easy one for you, especially since you were admitted. However, as a future colleague, I would encourage you to encourage others to pursue their education in the best way they see fit... Even if those same options are not available to you.

Ehhh... Don't feel stupid. I felt like that for like a week, but now I am very happy with my decision. HGSE has the program I want and money can't change that. You can live the life you want or settle and live the life that you can deal with... I pick choice A. Everything else falls into place once you commit to living your life as if it counts.

I guess some people live by the motto- "you have to play to win" and others by "it's better safe than sorry." You just have to decide what's best for you personally. Both strategies have their drawbacks...

I would never encourage irresponsible behavior. If you can make both situations work, I would definitely go with the one that will make you the happiest even if it requires considerably more sacrifice.

Congrats to everyone on this forum! You have some excellent choices in front of you. It has been amazing connecting with you all during this process. To those headed to Harvard, I'll see you in the fall! And to those headed elsewhere, best of luck and I'm sure we will meet again some time down the line. Thank you all for your positive attitude and for your commitment to education.
Know that this little slice of time we spent together was very meaningful to me. Thank you! Best to all of you!

LA is too far. I hope you don't get in. - my parents

LA is too far. I hope you don't get in. - my parents

This is a great suggestion. You'd really be surprised what you would find. Also, look into consignment stores. They tend to have higher end labels for accessible prices.

UCSB!

UCSB for me!!!!!!!

I declined my penn offer..yesterday.
Yes was on harvard waitlist myself...sorry!
Harvard informed me only yesterday.

I intend to apply the degree listed below to the study and improvement of justice systems, but it's not in any way a criminology program. Close to several, though, so I might take some electives at Rutgers or John Jay.

Im finally back. Had to step away and catch up with the some work. Hope everyone had a successful cycle. Best of luck to all!

dangit, i've reached my quota of upvotes.. again.. but congrats, phdreams! 

UCSB for me!!!!!!!

UCSB for me!!!!!!!

I officially just filled out my form to decline my offer at UPenn sociocultural. I hope that someone is able to get off the waitlist and enjoy their very generous funding offer! Best of luck to everyone!!!!!!

Just got back! Pretty big cohort- 15 or so. Equally divided between definitely will attend and weighing other offers. Program seems well-funded. All students are guaranteed TAships, health insurance, and access to student housing. close to 100% placement rates once degreed. newer office spaces. great weather. doesnt seem there was a waitlist of any sort.

Hey anthropologists, tell us where you've decided to go!

I'm happy to announce that I'll be off to Yale in the fall. It was a hard decision but I'm feeling confident that it's where I want to be

I obviously am no expert and am also struggling right now to make a similar decision (UC vs. east coast Ivy), but I would say you definitely shouldn't discount the fact that you seem to like the place you would be living in in UCLA and that you fit really well with current graduate students.  5+ years is a long time, and you definitely aren't going to make (ok, maybe you would, but would have more of a struggle) it if you aren't happy and don't have a meaningful/fulfilling social life!  That being said, I've been told that there is some merit to not going to the same place you went for undergrad in terms of being exposed to different theories/methodologies/networks of scholars etc.  Just my opinions though!
 
Since we are in a similar spot I will ask you- what is your impression of how much "name brand" might matter in opening doors, as they say, in the future job hunt?  I'm not inclined to care about that sort of thing, but I also don't want to disregard it if it is a genuine factor in what is, lets be honest, an appalling job market.
 
congrats again on your offers!

none...but if i'd guess, i'd say next week is the week. best of luck!! see some of you soon!<3

Just got into Yale! My POI called me on the phone to tell me.

Thank you so much! This is all good advice and mainly along the same lines I was thinking. I wish my other schools would let me know already so I can give a spot to someone on the waitlist at at least one school.

I'm sorry your thread got turned into a debate about interviews when you really wanted specific advice about communication. FWIW I have a great offer from a school that I may not be able to visit because of scheduling conflicts and I am in a similiar predicament with my top choice (still waiting). So, I've been doing the communication dance with a few schools.
 
I think you should continue your correspondence with your POI(s) etc. (I have done this and they have been amazing) and be very honest. These are your future colleagues and you dont want to start off on the wrong foot by burning bridges. I think it would be right to thank them for all of their information and tell them that you are in the process of reviewing the information to ensure that you find the best fit. You can tell them that you are strongly considering their offer and they are on the very top of the schools you are considering. However, you are still waiting on some schools to make sure that you have all of the information that you need to make the best decision possible. Schools know that other schools havent all notified yet. Schools also know that students like to wait until all of their offers come in. It just makes sense and as long as you are diplomatic and honest (the best you can), don't worry too much.
 
It will help if you have a good sense whether you want to go there as soon as possible though. If you really don't then you should give them the axe as soon as possible, as diplomatically as possible. Sometimes schools have waitlists and thats not fair to them (mine dont) but also, schools also have to figure out their cohorts as soon as possible. Take as much time as you need, be aware of any deadlines for fellowships that they may have given you(some schools have these... I have a March 1st one thats freaking me out), and be fair and honest. Remember not all schools or offers are tied to the April 15 deadline, so make sure you know all the details about your offers so that you dont lose your fellowship to someone else (if your funding works that way.. funding packages are cobbled together tons of different ways). Best of luck!!!!!! I'm sure you will make a great decision with school.