Recruiting/Visit on same day for two programs...Which to choose?

[Deadmeat]

Hey everyone,

 

So I was accepted to a top 15 MechE Ph.D. program (yah...), however they only offered me a 25% TA, basically half a normal stipend, half of tuition. I have already suffered some big loan and hardships finishing my Masters and I don't wish to do it again. The university is also in an expensive city to live. Needless to say I was rather disappointing, I would rank this program #3 on my list. They offered to pay/fly/hotel/meals for a 2 day visit.

 

The other program is also a top 15 program, I would say it is #1/2 on my list. I have NOT been accepted, however they offered to pay the same as the first program to fly/hotel/meals for interviews, meeting students, etc. The only difference between each programs 2 day event is this one has interviews.

 

I'm trying to decide which to go too. I think the one I have not been accepted to is the way to go. In a way it's a dream school of mine, and I feel if they are offering to pay to visit (they only offered 10 applicants out of 100's) it is a great sign. Additionally, one of the things (not to brag) I excel at is in person conversations, and showing my older age as a mature student. 

 

The only thing not making me say YES, 100%, is my hopes of going to the first school I was accepted and trying to snag a 25% RA assignment by meeting faculty.

 

Anyone have thoughts? I'm feeling like I just needed to let this out and discuss at the very least, but if someone had a thought let me know. Again I'm in Engineering and competitive for most top 20 programs, so I was expecting to be full funded with a TA/RA.

[misskira]

I would prioritize the interview if you hope for an acceptance at that school, over the visit where you already have an offer.

[Deadmeat]

Thanks Misskira,

 

I guess I wanted some random reassurance in my plan. It does make sense. I think I can nail the visit and interviews, and I figure with a department that has about 2x the yearly funding as the school I was accepted to, and offering to pay for an early visit... I have a much better shot at a full TA/RA.

[VBD]

Deady, what you should do is visit the second school and do your best at the interview.

 

Best case scenario, you get accepted into the second school. Depending on the second school's financial package, you can use the higher financed for you program as a sort of leverage/bargaining with the other program (whichever one you end up deciding). So it can only end well. Ask the school you're already accepted into if there's another weekend, and focus on your interviews at the second school. Good luck!

[Deadmeat]

Good advice VBD, thank you. The 2nd school has about double the funding per faculty member according to NSF, so I'm hopeful they will offer a more complete package if accepted.

[TakeruK]

You might not even have to choose. Last year, I rescheduled one school's visit to be the week afterwards so that I can visit two schools in a row. I didn't even have a conflict on the first visit date -- I just didn't want to fly across the continent, then back home for 2 days, then back again. It saves money for myself and both schools so they were happy to agree with my change of plans.

 

It sounds like interviews might be harder to reschedule, so maybe you should ask the school that already accepted you if you could visit on a different date. With enough advance notice, they should be able to figure something out! 

[TeaGirl]

I would definitely recommend you visit the school at which you'll have the interviews.

 

For the other school, like TakeruK said, maybe you can see if you can reschedule a second visit. Or perhaps, email some professors to see if they'd be willing to meet you, etc.

Edited January 27, 2013 by TeaGirl

[juilletmercredi]

Go to the interview!  You've already been accepted to the other school AND this one is higher on your own list, so it only makes sense to go to that one.

 

But yes, I would also see if I could reschedule the other school's.

[Deadmeat]

As a followup: One of the POI I emailed referred to the interview weekend as "Blue Chip Recruiting Weekend". Does anyone know what that means exactly? As far as I can tell it has nothing to do with the University specifically, like a nickname or something. Wikipedia says it has something to do with athletics, but that kinda is confusing why she would say that.

Edited January 28, 2013 by Deadmeat

[Canator]

A "blue chip" prospect in sports generally refers to a top notch prospect that an organization feels is going to develop into a real player. Sort of a "can't miss" type of thing. If they've attached that label to you it is probably a good sign. Why would she say it? People use sports references all the time.