PTGlab

I am from Michigan so I am pretty used to bad winters, so the weather wasn't a major concern. The more I think about this option there is no way a 90k in debt from just schooling alone, not to mention the extra living costs could be worth it.

Thank you two for responding, I appreciate it. The benefits of IIT in comparison to LA Tech are simply location and a little bit of prestige. LA Tech is a new program, founded in 09' i believe, whereas IIT has been around for much longer. My concern with the big city isn't necessarily living somewhere cool (I've grown up and lived in smaller cities my whole life, so that is what I am accustomed to), but possibly the advantages of better employment after graduation.

Today I found out via email and then over the phone that I was accepted to the I/O PhD program at Illinois Institute of Technology. I was informed that I should have been notified over a month ago but something happened with my file and the email never go sent (kind of a strange happening, unsure if I completely buy the excuse and wonder if I was initially waitlisted). Here is the issue. I have accepted admission to the PhD program at Louisiana Tech. I have not signed any documents, so as it stands now it is a verbal commitment. I understand that accepting, then declining an offer is not the most polite strategy, but it is an option. I love everything about the program at LA Tech, my only concern is the location. Ruston, LA is not even comparable to Chicago. At Louisiana Tech I was offered funding and when all is said and done the program will cost me less than $15,000, whereas at IIT I was not offered funding and the program will cost a minimum of $96,000. On top of the extra debt, the cost of living in Chicago is obviously significantly more than in Ruston. If I choose to continue on to LA Tech I will not regret it at all. From the second I accepted my admission, I was very happy with my decision to do so. It is a new program that has a numerous great features that are perfect for me (in house consulting firm is a great opportunity) , but the issue of being in a city of 22,000 people (over 11,000 are students) is concerning. Long story short, is the extra debt worth being in a better city (for my future career endeavors)? Is it even conceivable that I could afford to live in Chicago off of student loans? Any other advice/concerns/info would greatly be appreciated. Thanks in advance

I am really excited about the potential of the program, as of now, that is where I will be headed.

Which other schools were you accepted to if you do not mind me asking? Congratulations BTW!

Yeah that is what I kind of expected, Ruston has something like 20,000 people living there.

On the same theme as the last post, does anyone know about the PhD program at Louisana Tech? I know it is a relatively new program, but it seems to have some great features which the in house consulting firm. Any responses or insight is appreciated.

Accepted: Louisiana Tech Ph.D. , Tulsa Masters Waitlisted: St. Louis, Virginia Tech, Illinois Institute of Technology, Central Michigan University Rejected: LSU, Auburn, probably rejected at Clemson-haven't heard anything yet Anyone have any insight on the odds of moving up from the waitlist at these schools? I am a little naive to the whole process so I am learning as it goes. Thanks for the help in advance.