Making a decision without visiting?

[Eastside21]

Hey folks - with the April 15th decision deadline looming, I'm currently considering three offers for graduate study next fall:

 

Offer A: University of Oklahoma - Academic research-based program, full funding, meh visit (bad location/meh campus)

 

Offer B: American University - Touted professional program, 1/4 funding, good visit (good location/meh campus)

 

Offer C: Louisiana State University - Professional-leaning program, full funding, no visit (impressed with program and faculty so far)

 

Because I am currently looking more towards a professional program, my thinking has went down to between B and C. I plan to study political communication at the master's level, but am unsure whether or not I would like to take an offer with very little funding based solely on being in DC and quality of program. I'm leaning towards taking option C, with a less advantageous location but I program I like very much. Problem is, I will not be able to visit this school and get a great feel for campus/student life or gauge relationships with potential faculty mentors/thesis chairs.

 

Has anyone else had similar issues? How did you resolve the problem?

 

Any thoughts appreciated!

[Lifesaver]

I chose LSU for undergrad without visiting. I loved every minute that I spent in Baton Rouge.

 

This time around, I sent my deposit and was almost very set on a graduate school, but when I went for my visit to house hunt, I realized I HATED the location, and did not feel as if I was a good fit for the program. I think if I hadn't visited, I would have been very miserable for two years.

 

So, it goes both ways. Manship has a pretty good reputation, from what I understand. Do you have any specific questions about BR/LSU?

[iphi]

Political communication means living in DC will be FAR more valuable to you in terms of making connections/finding a job after. Of course, going where the funding is is always a good idea!

[rj16]

I made a decision without visiting. Ultimately, I felt that the other factors were more important than liking the physical environment. Now I'm just hoping that what I felt with regards to fit without visiting was accurate! It was a leap of faith but sometimes that just what you have to do. 

 

I'm sorry I can't comment on the specific programs.

[angelperak]

I'm in a different field, so can't comment on those programs, but I made my decision without any visits because I'm overseas and just didn't have the time/ money. It's a risk, but I talked to lots of people who live in each of the places I was considering, and tried to get a general idea from them. In the end, I made my decision based on research fit and funding. The location might turn out to not be perfect, but that's something I can deal with.