Go with second choice? Or wait and reapply?

[rccanada]

Ok, I need some advice: After getting accepted to my second choice school, I

[daddys_girl]

have you visited both schools?? After visiting my offers... I'm much MUCH more excited about a school that was lower on my list; however, it will undoubtedly be a better fit for me... but I couldn't get that from reading internet stats/bios/overviews

[firefly85]

Ok, I need some advice: After getting accepted to my second choice school, I

[rccanada]

I did visit both school during the whole application process and I still preferred my first choice. Haven't heard anything from fin aid yet, so money may be a limiting factor in the end. Part of me is also kind of scared of saying no to the offer that I have just on the *chance *that I may get into my first choice next year (if I didn't get in the second time around then I would definitely just be satisfied with my second/current choice).

Speaking of, if I do just decide to try again next year and turn down the offer that I have now, do I rule out any chance of ever going to that school? (i.e. if you're admitted but say no, and then reapply, does it hurt your chances of getting in a second time, or would they even consider you?) The whole thing just seems like a gamble at this point...

[liszt85]

Since you haven't heard about financial aid, this is what you could do. In the event that you're not offered financial aid, you can request them for a deferral (for financial reasons) and then ask them next year for some financial aid when the economy is much better and so next year, if you still don't get into your first choice, you could go to this school, hopefully with full financial aid.

Also, you could attend school #2 for the time being and reapply to school #1 next year while studying at #2. Is that not possible? What do you intend to do if you don't attend school this year?

[AlwaysWorried]

I applied to five schools my first time for PhD programs and got into one masters program. I turned that program down and reapplied a second time to the same five schools and one additional school. I got the exact same results with exception of one additional admit to a masters program. I still really want to do a PhD program and will be reapply with a masters this time. My advice unless you do some amazing research in the next year, its unlikely that your results from reapplying will be very different. You will most likely be able to attend your second choice school next year if you just ask to defer admission for one year.

[waitingtoexhale]

Ok, I need some advice: After getting accepted to my second choice school, I

[blue]

That is a difficult decision, no doubt about it. I reapplied to the same programs this year (2nd time) and I still got rejected everywhere, despite having excellent credentials. The only difference is that this year they invited me to the interviews and last year they didn't. I would have applied to other programs as well but my personal circumstances don't permit me to move away from my city right now. I wish I had gotten into my choice #2, #3.... but I have nothing, and that's a really depressing feeling. I would be happy at any of these programs, that's why I applied there.

If you decide to reapply, really make sure you have other options: are there other programs, other than your #1 and #2 choice that can offer what you want? If it really comes down to those two programs, I would play it safe and take what I'm offered. There are no guarantees in the admission process, and often it just doesn't make any sense whatsoever. It's up to you to decide if the program that admitted you is really that bad and worth the risk. I hope it all works out for you either way!