Ended up with a surprisingly difficult choice?

[bluebear92]

A few weeks ago I assumed my chances of getting into at least one grad school were 50/50 at best. I've since been blown away by results– I made it into Harvard, Stanford, and Caltech, more than I could have reasonably hoped (!!!).

 

I feel awed and thankful to say the least; I was not exactly the strongest applicant in my intended field (Applied Physics).

Now though, I'm wondering what to do! The departments are similarly ranked and take on similar research projects (insofar as I currently understand them). Funding information is not 100% developed, but it sounds like I can earn enough to live on at each school.

 

Just looking for thoughts– please feel free to share, no matter how blunt!

[MathCat]

I know nothing about applied physics or these programs in particular. But if you do not have a research reason to prefer one to the other, and you like all of the program structures, I would visit and go with whichever one feels like the best personal fit for you, that is, wherever you think you would be happiest.

 

Congratulations on your wonderful problem.

[iphi]

A few weeks ago I assumed my chances of getting into at least one grad school were 50/50 at best. I've since been blown away by results– I made it into Harvard, Stanford, and Caltech, more than I could have reasonably hoped (!!!).

 

I feel awed and thankful to say the least; I was not exactly the strongest applicant in my intended field (Applied Physics).

Now though, I'm wondering what to do! The departments are similarly ranked and take on similar research projects (insofar as I currently understand them). Funding information is not 100% developed, but it sounds like I can earn enough to live on at each school.

 

Just looking for thoughts– please feel free to share, no matter how blunt!

 

If all three are similarly ranked (and I am assuming they are, although I have no knowledge of your field) you should go by fit. Which POI could you see yourself working with (or for!) those 6 years? Where are the grad students the happiest? Where has the weather or people or whatever that you like the most. Which department has that feeling of camaraderie (or whatever you're looking for). Don't forget, this place is going to be your home and work and basically your entire life for 6 years. So don't choose based on some arbitrary ranking of #1 over #2 that could change in a few years anyway. Consider where you will have the best chance of being happy.

[aero9]

Congratulations, what a very nice problem to have! I agree with the other responses and my best advice would also be to visit the schools and determine which one is the best fit for you. It's important to hear the experiences of current grad students and get a feel for what it would be like living in Cambridge, Palo Alto, and Pasadena. Funding might, of course, change the equation but I think the advice given so far is still applicable. I also had several choices and I am confident I made the right decision after visiting my top choices. Good luck!

[eeee1923]

I'm also finding myself in a similar situation - I'll be setting up a decision matrix in the next few weeks to aid in making the best decision. Good luck.