Hey there!

This month I’ve been busy providing free consultations to students interested in postgraduate and postdoctoral studies in the U.S. and one question that I have been asked again and again was, “How do I choose which offer to accept?”  If you’ve got this question, or if you are applying to multiple schools, then this article is for you.

Maybe it’s just my heuristics in action, but when asked that question, I tend to assume that you are expecting an answer like “choose school A, because we Americans all know that it’s better than school B,” so let me make one thing very clear– nobody should tell you which school to choose.  This is an important life decision and it needs to be your own.  That said, there are some tips that I can give you that might help you to make this decision and to be satisfied that you made the best choice.

Tip #1:  Clearly Define Your Criteria

Unless you randomly drew university names out of a hat, you’ve already got a set of criteria that led you to apply to the schools that have given you offers.  Now it’s time to re-examine those criteria, identify any new criteria, and rank your criteria in order of personal importance.  One note that I’d like to make: School/Program ranking doesn’t perfectly translate to the value of the education.  So, while the school may have world-class academic resources, a significant portion of the value that you’re going to get from your study-abroad experience depends upon your success at taking advantage of opportunities to build connections and gain experience outside of the classroom.  In other words, don’t get blind-sided by national rankings; try and see the bigger picture of what each school has to offer.

Tip #2:  Get Your Information from the Source

If you have questions regarding any aspect of the school, find out someone whom you can contact at the school and send him/her an e-mail.  Many universities have resources for prospective international students and if you’re looking for candid information from students, check and see if the school has an International Students’ Association to connect with some empathetic advisors.

Tip #3:   Discuss Your Decision-Making Process with Someone You Trust

Just because it’s your decision doesn’t mean that you can’t benefit from others’ opinions.  Find someone whom you trust and share your criteria, your research, and your decision-making process to get a second opinion.  Sometimes it’s easier for an outsider to notice something that you’ve overlooked or suggest a valuable question for you to ask.  An objective observer can also help you counter any irrational bias that you may have for one school over another.

I hope that this article helps motivate you to take ownership of the decision and you don’t even have to wait until you receive the offers, it’s never too early to start thinking about which of the schools that you’ve applied to is the best match for you.

Want some unbiased advice about your criteria and decision?  Please feel welcome to send me an e-mail at adam@tomorrowmorrow.com and I’ll be happy to share my two cents.

Haven’t spoken with me yet?  Sign-up for your free consultation now!

Happy Decision-Making!

Adam
Co-Founder & VP of Services
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