<p>So I acknowledge this may be a stupid question, but I'd like a few other opinions to make sure.</p>
<p>First some context. The field I'm in is relatively speaking, very small and specialized. It's in the social sciences and there are only four schools in the country that offer programs in what I'm interested in, one of which I ruled out because of lack of funding. Everyone pretty much knows everyone else in my field. In fact, the professors at the three schools I'm interested in all got their PhD's from the same school and worked under the same adviser.</p>
<p>My top choice had an early deadline (December 1st) and I got notice today that I've been accepted and guaranteed at least 5 years of funding through fellowships, TAing, etc. I've visited this school and one other and liked the school I've been accepted to much more. There are more professors I'm interested in working with, it's in a better city, and the department just seemed a lot more friendly and welcoming. My family also happens to live in this city which I suppose is nice but has a few downsides as well.</p>
<p>The other two schools I was interested in have deadlines on January 15th and I've yet to submit my applications. This is due to several factors including a family emergency and issues with my LORs (one school requires physical letters and my undergraduate adviser is on sabbatical and living overseas). At this point, is it worth it to apply to these schools? Would I just be wasting everybody's time? While there's a chance I'd attend if accepted, I feel like I'm about 80% sure I'd attend the school I've already been accepted to.</p>
<p>I guess I'm trying to handle this as best I can without burning any bridges. I'm in a slightly awkward spot since I emailed one of the Profs at the other school two days ago asking about an early campus visit since I'm going to be abroad during the usual accepted students events.</p>
<p>Thanks preemptively. (If this is a stupid question, please be gentle).</p>
<p>I don’t think anyone’s going to be offended that you took your top choice as long as you’re polite about it.</p>
<p>I think that professor at the other school would rather you stop your application now instead of flying out and visiting on their dime when you’re not seriously considering that place anymore.</p>
<p>Also, congratulations! I heard back from my first school about a week after I sent in my application, and I know how much of a relief it is to find out you not only got in somewhere, but you’re going to be fully funded.</p>
<p>Thanks, and congratulations yourself! Just to clarify, the trip would only be a 90 minute bus ride which I’d probably pay for. I’ve emailed a professor at my old school who went to the university in question for undergrad through PhD hoping he can shed some light. If he says it’s not worth it I’ll probably pull my other applications and be done with it.</p>
<p>If thats where you want to be than you should stick with it and go there.</p>
<p>I am going to disagree with the pack here - this is premature unless you have an unusually personal and in-depth knowledge of the programs and schools. Many students discover during interviews and visits that the program and/or advisors are not what you think they are. Visit all the programs as quickly as possible - which it sounds like you were going to do anyway - and then make the decision. The departments plan for a certain number of rejections, and as long as you leave them ample time to fill your spot then it is just part of the process. But do not skip the applications just because you THINK your first choice should be your only choice.</p>
<p>It sounded to me like he visited his top choice school already, as well as one other.</p>
<p>Glad somebody said something…until you have visited a department and spent some solid time with the faculty, I would be cautious about committing to it. On paper, a different grad school seemed perfect for me, I had even bought the requisite hoody and everything. However, the interview weekends totally changed my mind; all the great things about the one program were still great but another department with an awful website and several new hires turned out to be great. Just some things to think about.</p>