Decisions, decisions

[Tall Chai Latte]

I'm agonizing over two definitive choices. The problem here is that I don't feel enthusiastic enough towards any one of them to decide. Today I found out that I got waitlisted by a school I really like, now I have trouble deciding and am feeling confused at the same time. Does anyone have this experience and/or situation and how do you deal with it? Do you just make a decision by flip of a coin or re-apply next year?

[socialpsychg]

Have you tried making a list of pros and cons for each school? Sounds kinda obvious, but it helped me map out my preferences and inclinations better.

In your situation though, I would definitely not re-apply.

[dzk]

I'm a little surprised you disliked Michigan... the biochemistry program is exceptional. What was the problem?

Definitely wait on the waitlist, though. I'd suggest contacting your "backup" once you decide which one you like better, but don't accept an offer until the last minute.

[Tall Chai Latte]

Have you tried making a list of pros and cons for each school? Sounds kinda obvious, but it helped me map out my preferences and inclinations better.

In your situation though, I would definitely not re-apply.

I actually did, and my list tells me that the school I am waitlisted for is my best choice for me... That's why it's so confusing now.

Edited March 15, 2010 by Tall Chai Latte

[Lantern]

That's definitely a tough one. I think the most important thing to consider is whether your top choice is indeed your top choice by a big enough margin to go through this whole process again. Not only will you have to commit time to the applications and deal with the stress all over again, but are you willing to wait another year?

Also, very importantly, have you really give thought to an honest assessment of whether or not you'll get in to your top choice next year? Have you visited the schools? How recent were you given the waitlist news? I ask because for me personally, given time to think about things, I often change my mind without even trying to.

For example, last fall I visited one of the schools I applied to this January. While I was there, it was my number one choice. I thought, "this is where I'm going if they'll have me!" Since then, it has fallen out of my favor so much that I'm not even considering it anymore. Maybe if you visit all three (if you haven't), you will find that your are less intent on your #1 choice, and you might really fall in love with another one.

These are never easy decisions, good luck!

[Tall Chai Latte]

I'm a little surprised you disliked Michigan... the biochemistry program is exceptional. What was the problem?

Definitely wait on the waitlist, though. I'd suggest contacting your "backup" once you decide which one you like better, but don't accept an offer until the last minute.

Yea that's what I heard, except I didn't apply to their biochemistry program. Instead, I applied to pharmacology thinking that I might want to switch gear (I did undergrad in biochem), upon visiting I didn't find myself going crazy over their pharmacology research.. That came to me and people around me as surprise too, and people think I'm just too picky!

[NeuroNerd86]

Yea that's what I heard, except I didn't apply to their biochemistry program. Instead, I applied to pharmacology thinking that I might want to switch gear (I did undergrad in biochem), upon visiting I didn't find myself going crazy over their pharmacology research.. That came to me and people around me as surprise too, and people think I'm just too picky!

Tall Chai, can't you switch to biochem through PIBS though? from what I understood, you ultimately join a department by the end of your first year...

[confusedChicken]

One thought--if you're *really, really* sure that you want to go to your waitlist school, write to the director and administrator of the program and tell them that. It won't necessarily help if you're way at the bottom of the waitlist, but sometimes a little enthusiasm can go a long way. April 15 is still a ways off, and it is likely that some spots will open up as people start making decisions. At the very least, it won't hurt you!

[dzk]

Yea that's what I heard, except I didn't apply to their biochemistry program. Instead, I applied to pharmacology thinking that I might want to switch gear (I did undergrad in biochem), upon visiting I didn't find myself going crazy over their pharmacology research.. That came to me and people around me as surprise too, and people think I'm just too picky!

It's really quite trivial to switch... you can work with anyone who does biomedical research on campus. Don't worry about departments or affiliations. Now, if you mean that you don't like anyone who works on your particular interests, whatever those may be, then that's a different story.

[Tall Chai Latte]

Hi guys, thanks to all of your replies. No, "waitlist" has just notified me that they will likely be not giving me offer by 4/15, and I should decide accordingly. Seems like I'm visiting Ann Arbor again sometimes next week or so..