Lotta love vs lukewarm waitlist

[258Brooklyn]

On paper it's a toss up between School A and B -- great faculty in my field, good career placement, comparable funding. School A has shown me a lot of love - was told I was the "first call", extra fellowship, lots of contact with the DGS who would likely also be my advisor, etc. While I could be very happy there, School B is actually my top choice at this point (some real super stars in my period, better fit in terms of research interests, more faculty in my period, slightly higher reputation). However, I am on the waitlist at School B. While I was told by the Ad Comm director that he was "optimistic" I'd get off the waitlist, that was before I actually met him, and after a not-so-great meeting, he hasn't replied to my last two emails. Now, does this mean I've fallen out of favor or he's just really busy? Who knows. 

 

I was told by a former professor that I should go with School A even if I get into School B because it is so important to be appreciated by one's department, to know you have that support and be really wanted -- could help to get that extra funding, support for finding work, little things along one's career. Of course all those things are important, but more important than the chance to work with the faculty in a department I'd prefer? The trick is I don't know how "involved" those super stars might be with their grad students, while at School A I would be guaranteed to work with a totally awesome advisor, even if her specific interests don't perfectly align with my own.

 

The other question is ... do I hold out until 5pm on April 15th to let School A know that I'm coming? Is that what you do? Just doesn't seem like the best way to start off with a new department that's been really good to me so far.

 

Any feedback would be appreciated.

[ak48]

I was told by a former professor that I should go with School A even if I get into School B because it is so important to be appreciated by one's department, to know you have that support and be really wanted -- could help to get that extra funding, support for finding work, little things along one's career.

 

While from a gut feeling i think you should go with school A, I don't think the logic above has merit. A given person in the department won't forgo giving you "support finding work" or doing "the little things" in you career because they knew you were a waitlist candidate. Once you're in the program, you get judged on the same things as all the other students (namely, results, work ethic and personality).

 

Funding is obviously a huge part of the decision, and obviously you haven't even heard of admission from B, let alone funding.

 

I'd advise you to wait until April 14 or so before accepting the offer, with the caveat that some schools (at least mine) have April 15 deadlines for housing applications

[ak48]

I'm in a similar situation right now. I've been admitted by two great schools, and the school that was originally my #2 has shown a ton of interest in me, seems like it's really trying to get me to choose them, whereas what was originally my #1 choice feels like a lukewarm acceptance in comparison.

 

I don't think this would be uncommon, seeing how "better" programs tend to have high retention rates and "less desperate" to attract students, whereas lower programs need to recruit harder to attract its admitted students into a yes.

[258Brooklyn]

Am I wrong, then, to think that a department that is trying hard now to get me to come will continue to want to invest in my success? Sorry if I sound like a softie here, but I hear so many miserable things about grad students having to wait months until they get feedback on their prospectus and worst. While obviously there are no guarantees in life and things can change at any time, at any institution, wouldn't it be better to go to a department where you are fairly confident (as much as you can from brief interactions at this point) that the advisor really wants to work with you, whom you hear from her current students that she really spends a lot of time supporting/promoting her advisees, even though the research interest is not a "perfect fit", then to go to a department where that type of support is still an unknown? (Obviously, these programs are very close, that is why I am splitting hairs -- and yes, I realize I am still only a waitlist at one of them).

Edited April 8, 2013 by 258Brooklyn

[sweetpearl16]

Am I wrong, then, to think that a department that is trying hard now to get me to come will continue to want to invest in my success? Sorry if I sound like a softie here, but I hear so many miserable things about grad students having to wait months until they get feedback on their prospectus and worst. While obviously there are no guarantees in life and things can change at any time, at any institution, wouldn't it be better to go to a department where you are fairly confident (as much as you can from brief interactions at this point) that the advisor really wants to work with you, whom you hear from her current students that she really spends a lot of time supporting/promoting her advisees, even though the research interest is not a "perfect fit", then to go to a department where that type of support is still an unknown? (Obviously, these programs are very close, that is why I am splitting hairs -- and yes, I realize I am still only a waitlist at one of them).

 

I would say that if the two programs are similar in rank and funding that you should go with School A. Given what you have said about the welcoming nature of the department coupled with the fact that the current students of the DGS claim she spends a lot of time supporting and promoting her advisees indicates that the department would continue to invest in your success. I think it is better to go to a place like that than one where you have gotten a lukewarm reception. I am currently in a department that has a reputation among its students as a place where it is very difficult to get feedback and personal support. A department with people who care about your success will get you a lot further a lot faster than one where the faculty is not as invested in you. 

[ak48]

I think having an investor advisor who cares about your success is very important, whereas research interests past a certain point aren't really. For me, I don't have such a clearly defined passion and a priori knowledge about Field X that would make me forgo a similar Field Y. So while the exact research topic isn't a 100% match, it doesn't matter to me because I know my research interests will probably change over time. It's not like at School B you'll be doing something completely different.

 

At this point, I think you should relax. You're not even guaranteed admission into the 2nd school yet.