Deciding between schools

[phdfall2011]

My apologies if this question is inappropriate.

I have a weird situation, and I'm not able to make a decision hence thought I would ask for advice here. I am a Fall 2011 applicant, and I have been accepted to many good places. I applied to three top schools, let's call them A, B and C and have received admits from B and C but unfortunately A rejected me. My research background and interests had the best fit at A, and there is this professor whom I *really* want to work with at A. While B and C are ranked the same as A, they are not as good a fit as A in terms of research. I understand that research interests and hot topics change over time, but I somehow feel my research momentum could have the best benefit at A.

I'm perplexed as to how to handle this situation. I've heard people defer admits, but I'm afraid it could send the wrong message since all these schools are extremely selective and I am fortunate to get into two of them. Any suggestions?

[ZeChocMoose]

My apologies if this question is inappropriate.

I have a weird situation, and I'm not able to make a decision hence thought I would ask for advice here. I am a Fall 2011 applicant, and I have been accepted to many good places. I applied to three top schools, let's call them A, B and C and have received admits from B and C but unfortunately A rejected me. My research background and interests had the best fit at A, and there is this professor whom I *really* want to work with at A. While B and C are ranked the same as A, they are not as good a fit as A in terms of research. I understand that research interests and hot topics change over time, but I somehow feel my research momentum could have the best benefit at A.

I'm perplexed as to how to handle this situation. I've heard people defer admits, but I'm afraid it could send the wrong message since all these schools are extremely selective and I am fortunate to get into two of them. Any suggestions?

Is this for a master's degree or PhD? If it is a master's degree (and you are interested in pursuing a PhD), I would accept the offer to B or C and apply to A again as a PhD applicant.

Also what are the funding offers at B or C? If you have to self fund that may give me pause.

Lastly, how realistic is it to receive acceptance at A next year? If you didn't get in and you also get shut out from B and C next year, would you be upset?

Sometimes, it is best to just cut your losses and start seriously looking at B or C. I won't constantly be comparing them to the dream of A-- no school can complete with that.

[qbtacoma]

A is a lost cause. Grieve, and then accept a position at B or C.

You know that A fits your research interests right now, but you can't predict whether/how your interests will change over the next few years. It may turn out that you will develop in new directions which will in the long term make B and C great fits for you. Regardless, it is NOT a good idea to reject two admits to selective schools on the slim hope that A would accept you next year - not if you really want to go to grad school, that is.

Congratulations on your acceptances!

[UnlikelyGrad]

In my case (2 years ago) I was accepted to the school that was the best fit for my research interests but they didn't offer me funding. So I chose the school that was the next best fit. Honestly, it was the best thing I ever did. In retrospect, the advisor I ended up with was *WAY* better than the one I would have had at my school A--not necessarily in terms of research interests, but in other ways. There are very few advisors out there who focus on career development (not just development of research skills) as much as she does. And I love her as a person.

School A is a lost cause, but you are not and neither is your career. I suggest you visit B and C (if you haven't done so already) and choose between them.

[Mrs. Grad]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gF6dyZ5AEnM

Edited February 24, 2011 by ej_flambert

[phdfall2011]

Thanks all for the replies!

All the admits are for PhD, and all schools are funding me. B's funding offer is good, C is yet to let me know its offer. Of course I'll be upset if I get shutout from B and C too next year, I was just thinking of deferring the admit if possible. But as ZeChocMoose mentioned, I might be able to reapply to A while at B or C. The only worry would be the people at B/C might be pissed with me doing it, given that they are funding me.

I'm planning to visit all the schools that admitted me before making a choice.

Thanks again for the great responses!

[ZeChocMoose]

Thanks all for the replies!

All the admits are for PhD, and all schools are funding me. B's funding offer is good, C is yet to let me know its offer. Of course I'll be upset if I get shutout from B and C too next year, I was just thinking of deferring the admit if possible. But as ZeChocMoose mentioned, I might be able to reapply to A while at B or C. The only worry would be the people at B/C might be pissed with me doing it, given that they are funding me.

I'm planning to visit all the schools that admitted me before making a choice.

Thanks again for the great responses!

Well I was only suggesting this if you applied to a master's program. Entering B or C as a PhD student with the intention of "transferring" to A is not a good idea. If you feel that strongly about A (i.e. it's A or bust), I would decline both B and C and reapply next year.

Many people have suggested that they had great experiences at their 2nd and 3rd choice schools better than they expected and even better than they may have had at their dream school.

Also, generally you can't "defer" your acceptance. You just get placed back into the pool of candidates for next year-- depending on the strength of the other applicants, you may or may not be accepted again.

[phdfall2011]

Well I was only suggesting this if you applied to a master's program. Entering B or C as a PhD student with the intention of "transferring" to A is not a good idea. If you feel that strongly about A (i.e. it's A or bust), I would decline both B and C and reapply next year.

Many people have suggested that they had great experiences at their 2nd and 3rd choice schools better than they expected and even better than they may have had at their dream school.

Also, generally you can't "defer" your acceptance. You just get placed back into the pool of candidates for next year-- depending on the strength of the other applicants, you may or may not be accepted again.

Yes, I agree that declining admits would be a high-risk move. To add to it, the acceptance rates at all these schools are single digits.

I guess I will take up B or C. Thanks all!