[It's April and I've heard back from one school]

Well, you don't know that you're not funded (assuming I read your post right). You just don't have the official offer yet. But also, you still have two weeks. You could hear from four other schools in that time. I'd wait to decide until the last minute-ish. See if your funding info or other offers come in. If you haven't heard about funding by, say, the 10th, email the program and ask about it.

[defer funded position at a uc school?]

I'd be amazed if they let you defer one offer to accept another. Also, I think this is terrible form. You're trying to hold on to two spots when there are well-qualified applicants who won't get in at the school that you don't attend. Please don't do that. Choose one school and go there.

[Honest opinions - funding vs prestige]

Your cons for UBC are far more substantive.

Try doing just a con vs. con comparison. Sometimes it's easier to see which of two options sucks more, and then eliminate it. Remember too, that just because the city isn't your ideal residence, doesn't necessarily mean the program won't be a million times better for you.

[Keep A Word Drop A Word]

West Coast

[Why is this so tense?]

Exactly this!   I keep putting off starting projects/making big plans because I don't yet know what the shape of my next 5-7 years will look like.  Plus, compulsively checking my email and TheGradCafe for two months has left me with a shattered attention span.

And possibly carpal tunnel, lol.

[Does waiting this long to hear back from a university change your opinion of the program?]

My general feeling at this stage (for all my bemoaning of how long this takes), is that as long as they get back to me before the 15th,I don't really have a reason to view them negatively. I pay my bills on the day they're due too.

[Good Sign, Omen or Hallucination - All Are Welcome!]

You've been through so many of these - wow!

It's a glamorous life. (total lie, lol)

[Keep A Word Drop A Word]

Deep Water

[I now dislike the weekend]

I'd add to the sentiment of this thread, that I now hate the end of the day, when my inbox is still empty. I want to make a decision with as much information as possible, and I'm looking at having to decide with four schools still totally up in the air. It's really going to suck if I decide and then get more offers. Is it too much to want closure before committing?

[Good Sign, Omen or Hallucination - All Are Welcome!]

I have what I believe is my final interview (never know, though) on Tuesday. It's really almost the end of the roller coaster. Halelujah.

[What are you listening to?]

The new Depeche Mode is making me a happy human this week.

[Keep A Word Drop A Word]

Day Off

[Starting grad school after a really difficult break up?]

This is a tangential aside, but I hope you'll find some amusement in this.  I moved from Boston to Chicago when I got my master's.  I thought I was leaving a lot of stuff behind me - no!  The guy who never gave me closure back in Boston... ended up going to the same university, at the same time.  I kept seeing him on campus.  Once I had to share a plane with him.  Another time, he was coming up a stairway while I was coming down.  UGHHHH!    Chances are, this won't happen to you!

I would have told him to stop being a copycat, lol. I also would have shown up to his first defense and sat in the back, in silent delight.

[Keep A Word Drop A Word]

Snow Leopard

[University of Houston REVOKED OFFER AFTER I HAD MOVED]

Ugh. *This* story...

but... (wait for it)

Still a better love story than Twilight. XD

[Sh*t people say when you are applying to grad school]

"why are you paying for an MA?" and related comments. argh. i have a totally oddball niche interest, even within an already-niche-ridden field of study; there aren't even that many schools that offer what i'm looking for at any grad level, and i've decided that an MA is the right plan for me right now, since i'm not committed enough to a research topic or career path to pursue a PhD right off the bat.   i've been getting a lot of lectures from friends, past classmates, coworkers, etc. about how it's ridiculous for me to take on loan debt to go to the only place i can really study and research what i want in full at the right degree level. the worst is when they start to ramble about how there are oh-so-many funded MAs out there, or that i should've done a PhD then bail after finishing the MA portion so i could save money, as if i hadn't done tons of research on my own about programs that suit my wants and needs, and how to fund my studies.   gee, i'm sorry, i forgot that everyone else and the entire peanut gallery of people i talk to grad school about is an expert in my small, unusual field of study/interest and knows everything about every program out there.   and, of course, i haven't put in, y'know, literal hours upon hours of work to ensure i'm doing the right thing to meet my goals.

You were admitted to multiple schools, it was your choice. If it's worth the debt to you, it's really none of their business.

[2nd application rodeo for me, not looking good again; try for a third time?]

pleasant update:   after making this thread I emailed the DGS at south florida about why I was a shitty candidate etc etc, she replied back today saying that the admissions committee fucked up and that they've decided to admit me!   thanks all those who replied, i appreciate all the advice but thankfully it looks like I might not be needing it lulz

Wow, congratulations!

[Why are they making me wait so long for a rejection?]

I'd be more cconcerned about the waiting If I didn't still have an interview to attend next week. While it's easy to assume rejection at this stage, I know that some schools are definitely still in deliberation. Hang in there.

[Keep A Word Drop A Word]

Top Down

[Keep A Word Drop A Word]

Jelly Fish

[When Waiting Leads to Self-Doubt]

I'll say this, in case you don't get in: it really isn't the end of the world, but it really will feel like it is. The only thing that finally picked me up from last year was submitting apps this year. I was able to replace embarrassment and frustration with hope and a sense of perseverance. This year it paid off. If it's what you want, keep trying.

[Possibly declining an ofter after I accepted it -- really terrible?]

1. she hasn't been offered any money 2. it is before april 15   she can rescind her acceptance. let's not get all dire and drastic here.   http://www.cgsnet.org/ckfinder/userfiles/files/CGS_Resolution.pdf'>http://www.cgsnet.org/ckfinder/userfiles/files/CGS_Resolution.pdf   no money = no obligation

Gotcha, I missed the absence of money from the OP.

[Marine/Environmental Chemistry PhD program - Top 10 vs. low ranked]

The school's overall rank should not factor into your decision. But the department rank is a clear indicator to me that you should be attending school A.

Yeah, agreement here. The overall ranking won't mean much, but that the department is unranked would give me pause. A lot of pause, lol.

[Sh*t people say when you are applying to grad school]

I've been accepted at a few programs, but haven't gotten any assistantship offers, which I have to have to enroll in a program. Of course, everyone has been asking me if I've "decided" where I'm going, so I keep reminding them that I don't have any options to choose from and may not get any.

Were you told there was no funding for these offers, or they just haven't sent you a financial package yet?

[Is it a bad sign if you haven't heard back at this point???]

That sounds awful. I'm waiting to hear back from one, my top choice. Agh.

Funny how they seem to know, and then make your sweat for it, eh?