TheMercySeat Posted March 7, 2015 Posted March 7, 2015 Anybody else have this dilemma? Discuss. I know it shouldn't be about location, but I fear my productivity suffering if I'm in an unpleasant state with a horrible climate :x
MathCat Posted March 7, 2015 Posted March 7, 2015 Location affects your happiness. Your happiness matters. I think it is a significant factor.
TheMercySeat Posted March 7, 2015 Author Posted March 7, 2015 Location affects your happiness. Your happiness matters. I think it is a significant factor. Thanks for making me feel not petty! I have some hard decisions ahead of me
eeee1923 Posted March 7, 2015 Posted March 7, 2015 I agree with MathCat. You won't be locked in a lab for 24//7 for 5-6 years, so you better enjoy the location (city, weather, etc.) or at least be able to tolerate it. I used this reasoning and didn't apply to any MA or NY schools - since I knew I would be much happier in other locations (plus other factors). eeee1923 1
attackonthedoctor Posted March 7, 2015 Posted March 7, 2015 I agree with MathCat. You won't be locked in a lab for 24//7 for 5-6 years, so you better enjoy the location (city, weather, etc.) or at least be able to tolerate it. I used this reasoning and didn't apply to any MA or NY schools - since I knew I would be much happier in other locations (plus other factors). Haha, I knew that I would not like anywhere but the Northern states (Including Northwest and Midwest) because I can't handle warm weather year around. As for the OP, you have to choose what makes you happy. Graduate school is going to knock you down over and over. You don't want to let location make those frustrations even worse.
MathCat Posted March 7, 2015 Posted March 7, 2015 I excluded some very good programs from my list of schools to apply to based on their location. There are some days when I feel silly about it, but I really do think it matters. I only applied to places I thought I'd be willing to live. One of them, when I visited, was obviously not such a place though....
gr1277 Posted March 7, 2015 Posted March 7, 2015 (edited) When considering location, it's not just about the climate. I've lived in a state with terrible winters that last half the year sometimes and that definitely impacts my overall happiness level. However, the community and access to things like art/music/etc. balances out the bad weather (to some extent). Don't cross it off the list without considering the possible positive aspects of the location too. That said, after living in North Dakota for 26 years, I'm moving to California after I finish my MA in May. Edited March 7, 2015 by gr1277
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