Confused in the admission choice between VT and KU

[Timmer Lin]

As mentioned in the title, I got two offer from KU and VT, still waiting for news from my dream school.

 

But as time escaped, I guess I should prepare for the unwantted outcomes. I don't know how to choose these two offers. For KU, the professor research matches me more, but VT ranks higher.

 

What can I do to make my desicion? Need your help sincerely.

 

[Caffeinated Chemist]

I created an account just to reply to this. hahaha

 

I am facing the exact same, and exact opposite situation right now. I have a great gig in Washington D.C. working as a government chemist while I attend George Mason University. What is similar to your situation is that the facility where I work is very prestigious. It's like name dropping. I say I work here and the doors of opportunity open for me. In fact, I'm fairly certain I'll get into Tech because I spoke with the admissions director and upon finding out where I work, said he would make sure I got in. However, my current research is not what I want to do with my life.

 

What is opposite from your situation is that I'm planning on going to Tech because their research is EXACTLY what I want to be doing with my life. Despite the fact that where I am now is more prestigious, I've decided to leave based on my belief that the topic of my dissertation will have a bigger impact on what I do with my future than the name of the institution at the top of my diploma.

 

In summary, if you want to go to a more prestigious school, you will probably earn more starting, but you may not get to do what you want with your life. I suggest KU because you'll get to do the research you want. I hope this was helpful! 

Edited March 29, 2013 by Caffeinated Chemist

[loginofpscl]

I think it's only worth picking a higher ranked school if they are substantially differently ranked, i.e. if you were comparing Harvard/Caltech/MIT/Stanford-- it doesn't matter. In that case you just pick your best match. End of the day, the reason you want a higher ranked university on your CV is because of more open doors.

 

Is it widely apparent that VT is higher ranked than KU? Will it make a difference later on when you're applying for jobs? If so, then it might be worth it. But if you're more a match with one program than other... you'll be more productive and so your CV would probably be better in 5 years.