Choosing between Davis and NYU

[KatW94]

I committed to NYU on April 15, and they have a good program for what I want to study. But last night I was accepted by UC Davis, which has been my first choice school. I got the faculty email last night and am expecting financial details some time today, but I don't have them yet. In my heart I think I would rather be in Davis, but I have no clue how to go about extricating myself from the agreement with NYU and I don't want to offend the faculty. If NYU were in any other city I would probably just keep my word and go there, but if Davis' offer is financially viable I would really rather go there. I have a better feeling about the program and the location. New York is horrible for my anxiety, but by April 15 NYU was my only option, and panic attacks in a shoebox apartment in New York at a good program studying what I love sounded miles better than moving back in with my parents while formulating a backup plan of some sort. (Also I am immunocompromised and really worried about moving into a Covid hub in the middle of this pandemic...) 

How would y'all go about making this decision? What sorts of metrics do I use to figure out if Davis' offer is good enough to warrant potentially offending the NYU faculty by reneging on my acceptance? 

[CeXra]

First: You have to do what you have to do. If Davis offers an equal or better package than you choose Davis if its BEST for you. Just write the NYU faculty or director an email explaining your decision that you can no longer commit (I don't think you should disclose the exact reason). Just express kindly that you appreciate the acceptance but due to unforeseen circumstances that has arise, you can no longer commit. If you want to tell them about Davis, go for it.

Second: From another perspective, I don't think the reason you gave to not want to go to NYU is good enough... NY isn't that bad. You said you get anxiety living in NY... have you lived there? Also, you also don't have to live it Manhattan (where NYU is located). Opt for another quiet neighborhood in another borough. So weigh the pros and cons of each location... Davis is pretty isolated. I have friends who go there and diversity isn't big and students of color feel isolated, while in NY its pretty diverse (not sure if diversity matters to you).

As for metrics, you should do research on it or just wait for the funding offer and then decide... I believer NYU will give a larger stipend (at least in my field, it pays way more than the funding package in Davis... and I am also in social science... is religion a humanities?). Also the research opportunities and funding NYU can offer its grad students compared to Davis.... NYU has more funding opportunities. 

Finally: If you want to go to Davis because of better research, faculty, and cost, then those are good reasons to consider. If NYU is better rethink your "New York is horrible for my anxiety" reason carefully. What are the two school's ranking for a PhD in religion? Ranking matters for job prospects; do you want a job in academia? If so, ranking matters. 

Personally I don't know if you've lived in NY (maybe you have), but if you've been there for a few weeks or months, that's not the same thing as living there for years. Ultimately rethink and do what's best for you. Regardless, its your path and you shouldn't feel the need to go somewhere because you committed. 

Edited May 6, 2020 by CeXra