Need some reassurance

[nandelle]

So I made my decision this weekend, and though I feel really good about it, I feel like I constantly have to justify to people why I chose the program I did, and why I am going from a higher ranked undergrad (McGill) to a much lower ranked grad school.

I was admitted to three programs

School A - the highest ranked program of my acceptances, top 20 in both math and statistics. It was recommended to me by a professor as somewhere I'd fit well.

School B - a school in a nice location, a young, growing program that seemed exciting and came highly recommended from another professor.

School C - the closest one to home (1 state away), and my "safety school" when I applied. Nevertheless, they had an intriguing program and seemed to put more weight on their masters programs. It is ranked much lower (top 100) thank schools A and B.

When I didn't get funding at school B (with no possibility of receiving funding during my time there) I declined the offer. It was too expensive for what it's worth.

So my decision came down to schools A and C

School A: A much more prestigious school, and they do some great research. Over 70% of their students are phD students (I applied as a master's student) and it's a big department - I was worried that I would get lost in the sea of phD students. I wasn't as excited about its location. I've had very little in the way of communication from this school since I got their offer (early February). I also want to work closer to home, and it's a little further away. I know that the school carries a great name and while I could probably find a job easily upon graduation, I'm worried about not having the connections to businesses nearer to home at school A. I received no funding (although they said that it was possible to get funding the next year on a term-by-term basis).

School C: A much less prestigious school than school C - they are a small department. I felt like I really hit it off with people when I went down there (grad students and professors) and within a week of my visit they found me funding for the duration of my master's degree (part-time TA with full tuition reimbursement and a small stipend, with a possibility of increasing to full time TA with a pretty generous stipend). I would get a lot more personal attention here (they really focus on their master's students), and have the opportunity to do a double master's degree in the two fields of interest I specialized in during my undergrad (very appealing to me), as they are pretty related. I would also, if I wanted, have the option to transfer to phD after completing my master's, as long as I take certain courses/do well enough on my comprehensive exams. Their grads have a history of getting good jobs in this area (which is where I want to work after getting my master's degree). I also really liked the city and the campus, and cost of living is really low in this area. I found several professors who I could work with here.

It was pretty much the funding that really tipped the scale, though after visiting school C it rocketed from "safety school" status to something much higher up the list (even before they found funding for me). So as soon as they were able to secure funding for me, I accepted.

However, while people are genuinely happy for me, I am getting puzzlement from people who feel that school C is "beneath" me (professors, family/friends, etc). And while I feel deep down that I made the right decision, there still is the nagging voice that says that I should have gone with the more prestigious program, even though I preferred the program of the much less pretigious school C. Logically I feel like, since I don't want to get a phD/work in academia, the prestige of the school isn't as important, but I also feel like since this will be my terminal degree, this is where I should have gone for the big name.

Financially, I could have handled going to school A without resorting to loans. It would have wiped out a lot of my savings (and the money my grandfather gave me). I have no debt from undergrad. So even though it was funding that did make a difference (because I'd rather not spend all my savings if I don't have to), the money wouldn't have been a barrier to attending school A.

I guess I'm just looking for people to tell me I'm not crazy for choosing school C over school A. I guess if you think I am crazy, you can tell me too

[cath2024]

You are totally NOT crazy. It's very easy for other people to suggest spending money on something when it's not their money,but I don't think it's a good idea to wipe out all your savings--in this economy especially. If school C's grads are getting the types of jobs you want, and you liked the school during your visit/made good connections with people, then it sounds like you are very fortunate! I hate that whole attitude about schools being 'beneath' anyone. You're the best judge of the criteria that are important to you; it sounds like you made a solid decision.

[Sonic]

Doesn't sound crazy at all to me! School C gives you a range of options and clearly values masters students, which is so important and not a guarantee at every program. I think you'll have great opportunities there. Congrats on your decision!

[WindWhisked]

Congratulations on choosing your school! I think School C has done a great job of catering to your needs and interests - they sound like they really want you there. There is certainly less likelihood that you will get lost in the "sea" of graduate students and you are free to explore beyond your horizons. I wish you the best of luck and I'm sure you'll prove to the naysayers how successful you can be!

[Stories]

I think you made a fine choice.

Don't let other's opinions bother you. It'll only ruin your experience. So what if you're not coming out of an Ivy? You get out of the program what you put in, remember that.

[belevitt]

Are you kidding??? You liked school C most, you hit it off with the faculty, it is mostly masters students (and that is what you are doing), you don't need to worry about prestige for getting into a Phd program, they fund you better. You are validated in your choice, but I suspect you figured this out after committing your thoughts to words.

[nandelle]

Thanks guys

Yes, I definitely feel like I made the right decision, and yeah, I think typing it out helped clarify things for me. I've always been a little driven by "prestige" - it was a major factor in choosing my undergrad school - so it's a little weird to *not* choose the most prestigious, but overall I think I made the smart choice for my career and life, which is ultimately better. And usually, by the time I'm done explaining to people about the double major, the great faculty, the nice area, the funding,etc they agree with me - it's just a hassle feeling the need to justify my decision to everyone and knowing they're probably talking behind my back about how I"m not going to a more prestigious grad school :roll: Gotta love the family!

But overall I feel really good about my decision and am really excited for the fall.