Which school should I choose?

Question

I was accepted to Hawaii Pacific Univeristy for grad school. I planned on going this January, but my first choice has always been Howard University. I didn't apply because I thought they didn't have the major I wanted.

Anyway, I can either go to Hawaii in January, or I can apply to Howard now and not get accepted/rejected until March or April. If I do that, I'll have to forfeit my spot in Hawaii...so it's a risk.

Either go to the school I've already been accepted to, or apply to the school I really want to, and risk not going to any school at all.

Answer 1

I know exactly how you are feeling, I am going thru that right now. I suggest that you go to Hawaii but apply for Howard for next year. It is quite a gamble especially if you live very far from Hawaii. If you go to Hawaii for the semester and then get into Howard, then change and go there (if you really want to). You do not have to apply as a transfer student because that creates more problems when transferring credits. You will have to start all over again but at least you will be in the school that you want to be in. Good Luck

Answer 2

Tough one. I would not want to spend a couple years in Hawaii, so my advice is to apply to Howard. Hawaii is a boring place to live. Plus, Howard is a better college.

Answer 3

Stick with Hawaii it sounds like Howard is to big of a gamble.

Answer 4

As a general thing, a bird in the hand... However, Howard is a well-known and respected university while most people have never before heard of Hawaii Pacific University. Having worked in higher education for many years, I was only vaguely aware that it existed. Although you do not specify what field you are interested in, under most circumstances a degree from Howard would likely be worth a great deal more as a lead to employment and advancement.

One possible route would be to attend Hawaii for a year and apply to transfer to Howard. Transfers are not too common at the Masters level, but they can be done.