So..how do you choose?

[StartingoverVet]

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So I finally made up my mind and it is..
PENN.

In the end, the biggest issue was picking the school where my wife could most easily attend a phD program as well. Unfortunately Davis and Tufts were just too far removed from the programs she was interested in. At Penn, we can both go to the same school.

Cost is still a bummer, but we were pleasantly surprised with the changes in West Philly, and after talking to a lot of people feel like we can live there.

I don't think there was that much difference among the programs themselves but I always had the best gut feeling about Penn as well.

 

[nyanko]

That's unfortunate - I was hoping you would come to Davis so I wouldn't feel so old. 😉

No but I'm glad that you finally made up your mind and also maybe this will help out one of our SDN waitlisters!!

edit: just what did BlacKAT bribe you with?? 😳

 

[StartingoverVet]

That's unfortunate - I was hoping you would come to Davis so I wouldn't feel so old. 😉

No but I'm glad that you finally made up your mind and also maybe this will help out one of our SDN waitlisters!!

edit: just what did BlacKAT bribe you with?? 😳

BlacKAT bribed me to join her at Penn? Hmmm. Must have been the horrible pizza at the happy hour on Friday.

I am still waiting for ZeebraFinch to come up with something appropriate if she gets off the waiting list. I haven't sent in my decline yet. Probably get to it tonight.

You wouldn't want me at Davis anyway. My body is unadorned and unmutilated and very pale. Very boring.

 

[GellaBella]

So I finally made up my mind and it is..
PENN.

In the end, the biggest issue was picking the school where my wife could most easily attend a phD program as well. Unfortunately Davis and Tufts were just too far removed from the programs she was interested in. At Penn, we can both go to the same school.

Cost is still a bummer, but we were pleasantly surprised with the changes in West Philly, and after talking to a lot of people feel like we can live there.

I don't think there was that much difference among the programs themselves but I always had the best gut feeling about Penn as well.

👍

and I'm sure the super wicked awesome future classmates of yours didn't hurt either 😛

 

[ZebraFinch]

Startingovervet - I think I've decided I'll send you my lovebird*. He is, er, comical and will give you hours upon hours of birdie entertainment. He also works great as an alarm clock, though the only settings are "predawn" and "during your favorite TV show".

*I am not responsible for any mutilated appendages, bite scars, or newly developed fear of small green birds. And if you tell them #6 should get your spot I'll throw in that Dirty Jobs DVD and Planet Earth as well. 😉

In all seriousness though, congratulations on your decision! All the schools you had to choose from are amazing schools so you couldn't go wrong, and I'm glad Penn worked out for you. You win and Davis & Tufts waitlisters win, too. Keep that crazy BlacKAT in check!

 

[turnbackhelly]

Maybe not pre-pay, can't we just lock in the rate like a loan or rent-controlled housing? I guess that's something else to consider when choosing a school. Not only the tuition, but the fact that the tuition is going to increase. Meh.

I'm way behind on this thread... but something to consider, especially for Penn specifically: when I met with Ashra in fin aid at PennVet back when I was trying to make my decision, she pretty much guaranteed me a 5% tuition increase every year. I'm sure it's the same sort of deal for most schools...

 

[Crazy Hippos]

I'm way behind on this thread... but something to consider, especially for Penn specifically: when I met with Ashra in fin aid at PennVet back when I was trying to make my decision, she pretty much guaranteed me a 5% tuition increase every year. I'm sure it's the same sort of deal for most schools...

5% every year? 😱 Wow...

 

[StartingoverVet]

Startingovervet - I think I've decided I'll send you my lovebird*. He is, er, comical and will give you hours upon hours of birdie entertainment. He also works great as an alarm clock, though the only settings are "predawn" and "during your favorite TV show".

*I am not responsible for any mutilated appendages, bite scars, or newly developed fear of small green birds.

Hmm. I think my dogs would just end up with a quick snack (unless the cat got there first).

Thanks for the offer but I truly believe if you got in that would be a nice reward for me as well.

 

[StartingoverVet]

👍

and I'm sure the super wicked awesome future classmates of yours didn't hurt either 😛

No question about it.