Campus visit...what should I do?

[ArthChauc]

Hi, all. As many of you know, I was accepted to my *dream school* on Tuesday and have planned a visit for two weeks from now when my fiancé can tag along and we can check out apartments. I have my heart set on this school and know it's where I should go. 

 

I have scheduled a visit with the DGS of another program who accepted me back in early February. I would be visiting about a week from now and meeting with people from the department. This school has told me they are in the process of booking a hotel for me (that email came on Tuesday) and have been wonderful as far as answering questions and being welcoming. 

 

The problem is as follows: I was told today by my thesis advisor that in light of this new acceptance (and the fact that I'm going to accept it no matter what), I should cancel my visit with the first school who admitted me. She said that I shouldn't strain their resources or hold on to my offer any longer so that it could be made to someone without funding or on the waitlist. I feel conflicted because I feel rude canceling on this school, but in all honesty I would only be visiting to be polite. It's only about an hour drive from my current location so there isn't any air travel involved. 

 

What do you guys think? I appreciate your feedback. 

[justinmcummings]

If you 100% are set on the one school, why would you want to see the other one? It sounds like you made up your mind already. I will say though if you are not 100% set, you might change your mind where you want to go after a visit. I know I did.

[lyonessrampant]

I echo the above, but I would say that you should be more than 100% sure you will accept New Mexico.  I don't know what the other program is, but you applied there last fall for a reason (or reasons).  Do any of these reasons still stand?  Is there funding better/longer?  Is the teaching load lighter?  Are there more fellowship, travel grant, research opportunities?  Is the department bigger and/or more diverse?  Are connections between the department and other departments stronger--especially important if you're doing and sort of interdisciplinary work?  If the answers to these questions are either no or not important enough to you that you couldn't possibly be swayed by the other program, then yes, I'd notify the program that you won't be visiting.  Programs don't want to waste money on people who know for sure they aren't coming, and it may open up a funded visit spot for someone on the waitlist as well.  

[ReadingLisa]

I visited all five schools I was accepted to, even those I was certain I would not attend. In the course of these visits one of the schools managed to win me over. I will most likely (99% chance) attend this school instead of my "dream school." I loved the campus, the faculty members, and the overall good feeling it gave me.

 

My suggestion to you is to definitely go to both! You lose nothing in the process, and you got into both so why not go and enjoy the visiting days they've arranged for you? They're quite fun and you get to eat good food and drink good wine... 

[ArthChauc]

Thank you all for your comments. The school that I'm considering canceling on was a school that I felt like I had decent odds of getting in--the new school that has accepted me I had been fairly certain would reject me. Both schools offer the same stipend and teaching load, but the new school has more scholars in my field and even a concentration in my area of interest. The department is much larger and scholars from the department have made significant contributions to my area of interest. It truly is a "dream school" in the sense that I thought that the only way I would be accepted was in a dream. Now that I'm in, however, I'm feeling an odd combination of excitement over being admitted and guilt for know that I won't attend the first place. 

 

Blah. I don't know. If I were making these visits in early/mid March, I wouldn't be this hung up. However, seeing as how I'm not visiting the first school until next week (the first week of April, whoa) and the other just days before the deadline (less to be "sold" on the department, more to look for apartments), I don't want to put anybody in a bad position. I'm afraid of I visit the first school that I'll be anxious the whole time and just want to leave and, really, as I know I want to go to this new school, I just want to tell them sorry and be done. 

[lyonessrampant]

Seems like you have your answer then!  Good luck

[Katia_chan]

The only caution I would throw up is that you might want to check out the atmosphere at both campuses.  I've met people who really liked a school, and then found that the atmosphere really was not good for them.

 

If you have a good sense from the people you've talked to that you're going to like the culture/other students, then go ahead and ignore this.  But it doesn't hurt, even if you're 99% sure where you want to go, to make sure that you will be happy living and working there.

 

Also, if it's only an hour away, could you just do an unofficial visit for a day?  That way you're not using their resources, but can maybe still sit in on a class or two, talk to some students and professors, etc.