<p>During the fall 2012 application season, I applied to two graduate programs (admitted to both institutions) to pursue an MS in Information Technology. For past 3 months, I thought I'd made the right decision in comparing the two programs and submitting my acceptance letter to RIT but now in July, i'm feeling as if the other program at Stevens would have been a better choice. </p>
<p>I've spoken to the graduate admissions at Stevens and lucky for me, they're willing to let me join the program this late. How will school #1 take this? (I've already registered, obtain ID, etc..) </p>
<p>School #1 - Rochester Institute of Technology
Pros- 12k scholarship
cons- location</p>
<p>School #2 - Stevens Institute of Technology
Pros- location
Cons- cost </p>
<p>Haven’t been in quite the same situation … but, imagine if money weren’t a contributing factor, where would you go? </p>
<p>I think there is something to be said about the location of Stevens – being so close to NYC will inevitably mean more professional contacts. That being said…a 12k scholarship, but I think you should factor the cost out of the equation and think about the pros and cons of each, and come to a conclusion that way… what is 12k if you could potentially find more interesting and lucrative job opportunities at Stevens due to its location?</p>
<p>If this data holds anywhere near the same for post graduate degrees, that $12K is going to look like pocket change over the course of your career.</p>
<p>If you decide that you really want to go to Stevens, just do so. For a Masters program, where you are only getting a scholarship and are expected to pay for the rest of your education, it is quite common for students to decide to go elsewhere even if you said yes to the first school. After all, there is no contract that binds you to RIT, the most you have to lose is if you submitted a deposit and that can’t have been a lot. I have been in charge of the Graduate Admission Office at my university and it happens all the time.</p>
<p>I’m kind of confused as to why you are backing out of RIT and wanting to go to Stevens now; I mean, I know that Hoboken is right outside of New York, but Rochester is a nice city in its own right and you’re only going to be there for two years. I think it’s a bit crazy to turn down money simply to be outside of NYC for two years. The cost of living is also lower in Rochester, which means that if you have to borrow money to cover living expenses your total program cost will be cheaper.</p>
<p>$24K is actually a rather large difference (when you look at the cost of 2 years), but it also depends on whether your job prospects are just going to be THAT MUCH better coming out of Stevens. I doubt they will be. However, the tuition at Stevens is also about $6,000 cheaper, which is almost half the worth of the scholarship, although the difference may be made up by fees.</p>
<p>Thank you for the feedback everyone. I really appreciate them.</p>
<p>@Juillet - I currently reside about 30 minutes away from Stevens which would give me the option of commuting to and from school. I live with my parents.</p>