Places you'd actually consider attending

[Chuck]

Ok, I know it's a bad idea to apply to a program you'd not realistically, for whatever reason, ever actually consider attending. My dilemma extends into some shades of grey in that direction.

Is it bad form to apply to a program to which you know you're likely to be admitted, but have little intention of attending unless all of your other options fall through? I've already applied to 5 programs which I both consider a great research fit and for which I believe I have a decent shot at admission. Unfortunately, the fact that all those decisions are totally beyond my control is starting to do weird things to my brain! Five programs = not a lot of room for the huge amount of stochasticity in the admissions process.

I'm now looking at 2 final programs which I am less excited about, but which could potentially also work out very well (hence the reason that they are on my list at all). The problem is that my actual enthusiasm about them is a toss-up. I guess if I am rejected from all 5 of my top programs, and either one of these other two programs came through with an offer of stable funding, I seriously would consider attending. But, that scenario aside, these are not my dream schools.

I've already paid the whopping $46 to send my GRE scores to these other 2 schools, and my recommenders have already submitted letters to Program A. Should I cut my losses, or trundle through?

(by the way, Programs A & B aren't necessarily Sociology departments, so for the sake of anonymity, please don't try to guess their identity!)

Program A has one POI who I would very much like to work with. Other than that, there is nobody in the department whose interests are very much aligned with mine. Part of the big attraction of my top 5 programs is that I have identified multiple committee members who can contribute significantly to my project. As far as I can tell, Program A doesn't really offer that. Less of a concern for Program A is the university itself, which is fairly mediocre but in a beautiful location.

Program B has several POI's who are good prospects. The problem here is these profs are the "superstars" in a very narrow sub-discipline, and beyond them I can't see that the department offers much. Through my advisor, I've made positive contact with 2 of these POI's. I get the feeling that they are very likely to want me (though this contact was months ago, so they are not necessarily definitely expecting my application). Though I would love to work with these few POI's, my research needs clearly extend beyond their disciplinary focus, and I'm fairly convinced that the department is not equipped to handle the broader needs of my project. These are people who I want to continue to build a professional relationship with throughout my academic career, so I want to do the right thing here. On the one hand, I feel bad courting these people in full knowledge that I don't have a very strong intention of attending their program. If I get funding offers at any of my other 5 programs, I'm going to say no. Program B's university is also fairly mediocre. But if my other programs don't work out- I suppose I would choose Program B over no program at all.

So what about the grey area around "places I'd actually consider attending"? How wide is it, and in what circumstances? Anyone else feeling dishonest throughout this whole courtship process?

Should I apply? Continue to play the courtship game? Potentially waste a few hundred more $$, and several hours tailoring my SOP?

Edited January 20, 2012 by Chuck

[sociologyplease]

I think that it's a really tricky topic. You indicate that you would prefer to go to program B over no program at all, and I think that the conversation really comes back to that. Do you want to reapply next year to these five dream programs or can you settle for something else this year? I applied to one funded M.A. as a back up option because I wanted a little more insurance that I was moving on somewhere this year. Programs A and/or B might be that for you.

[Chuck]

Thanks for the reply, Sociologyplease. I think it's also relevant to mention that I already have an MS, so using either of these programs as a backup option in that regard isn't really on the table for me.

I've really done my homework in the application process and I'd truly be surprised if I didn't get into ANY those 5 programs. But I know that much worse things have happened in the history of PhD admissions, so it seems rather unreasonable to not at least consider more backup-type options.

When I was applying to master's programs, I applied to a number of schools I had no real intention of attending. In that situation, ignorance paid off! I remember being very pleasantly surprised with several of those 'backup' programs once I was admitted, visited, and learned more about them. In the end, I went to the school which had been my top choice all along. But looking back on the whole experience, I know I could have been very happy at a number of other programs.

This time around I've been making much more informed decisions about where to apply, so while I guess it's possible that either A or B could pleasantly surprise me on visit day, I'm pretty sure that my assessment of their strengths relative to my needs is reasonably accurate.

Edited January 20, 2012 by Chuck

[Darth.Vegan]

I plan to apply to 15 schools next cycle. 2 of those have faculty that fit my interests really well, but I feel totally not stoked about the idea of only getting into either of those places, yet I am applying anyway.

[ThisSlumgullionIsSoVapid]

All but 2 of my schools I applied to I would actually look forward to going to (living at I should say). The two that I would have one of the "mehhhh" type responses to the location are lower ranked programs that I might need to go to if I don't get into my better choices so, at that point, it's not like I would have much say.

I'm used to fast-paced lifestyle so I'm not sure how I'd handle living in the boonies.

[Supernovasky]

The way Ihave it set up, the lower ranked schools that I applied to are in areas of the country I would LOVE to live. The higher ranked programs, I didn't care too much about location.

[sciencegirl]

@Supernovasky... I sort of have something similar... not too serious of an issue, but the Ivy's/Chicago block of top tier schools I applied to are all in locations I'm not thrilled about.. I have been on the East Coast for awhile now but am from California, and would love to move back there, and my parents are there too and its been getting more and more frustrating trying to come home for the holidays. They are of course really encouraging of me regardless but I can tell they are secretly rooting for me to pick a program closer to them in the southern california area. I'm also tired of snow. Yes, first world problems and I know I am sounding like a baby, and I could easily get rejected from all the schools I applied to as the Ivy's/Chicago were a stretch anyway. But is anyone else rooting more for a "location" than program?

[Supernovasky]

@Supernovasky... I sort of have something similar... not too serious of an issue, but the Ivy's/Chicago block of top tier schools I applied to are all in locations I'm not thrilled about.. I have been on the East Coast for awhile now but am from California, and would love to move back there, and my parents are there too and its been getting more and more frustrating trying to come home for the holidays. They are of course really encouraging of me regardless but I can tell they are secretly rooting for me to pick a program closer to them in the southern california area. I'm also tired of snow. Yes, first world problems and I know I am sounding like a baby, and I could easily get rejected from all the schools I applied to as the Ivy's/Chicago were a stretch anyway. But is anyone else rooting more for a "location" than program?

Hahaha...

I mean in some ways, yes, but you'd honestly have to be a fool to hope to get into a lower ranked school in a nice place that you could move to later, over one of your top choices.

But, I do know how you feel.

Personally right now, after having discovered someone already got a UT acceptance, I'll be happy anywhere!

[fm0003]

Location has pretty much ruled my decisions as to where I'm applying. Originally from the east coast, I've been on the west coast for 10 years and I'm eager to move back that way. For that reason, I purposely didn't apply to a large handful of places that aren't back east, despite some programs that seemed to be a good fit (Austin, Berkeley, UCSB, etc...). My partner is also in a very specialized field and that also ruled out a lot of places. I'd be happy getting into any school to which I applied (provided there is funding), even the ones that might not be in my dreamy top 4... That said, like everyone else, I'm white-knuckling life for the next few weeks.

[Waits]

I am spending a lot of time wishing Berkeley was in New York. In some ways I'm hoping to get accepted by either Berkeley or the New York schools I applied to, and not both, because I don't think I want to be stuck making a decision between academic fit and, well, New York!