random2001

Now that I've got into a few schools after applying to way too many, it has really come down to UCSB vs Duke (only two that have offered me money). It seems like from a purely ranking perspective UCSB is better, but does that really make it a better choice (or does it even matter)? Any opinions on the two schools?

Seriously, I wouldn't be too worried. Val, the grad coordinator, is completely swamped right now and is still trying to send out acceptances (at least that's what she told me). I went down for the recruitment weekend in February and didn't get my official acceptance till a month later :shock: . Mostly the problem is that they are really being squeezed for people due to the budget crunch in the state. The school I go to right next door is threatening to lay off tenure track faculty, so i can't imagine how the general staff is feeling right now at any school in Cali. I wouldn't get overly hopeful, but there's still a chance!