Congratulations. After all the effort you put into the application process, you now have the reward. But you still have an important decision to make: Are you going to enroll? This is an important decision that you have to make for yourself.

Is This School the Right One?

Go on Instinct

From campus visits and other interactions with the school, judge if the program is the place where your professional interests, talents, and personal goals will best be served.

Reassure Yourself

Seek confirmation by talking with your mentor(s), faculty in your interest area, placement staff, and alumni and current students with interests that match your own.

Look at the Financial Implications

Can you afford the program? If unsure, contact the financial aid office to discuss your concerns.

Respond by the Decision Deadline

If you fail to respond on time, you run the risk that the school will rescind the offer.

Make the Right Decision

Do not assume you can transfer credits to another program. If you find yourself in the wrong program and decide to transfer, you may have to repeat coursework or complete additional coursework to fulfill the requirements for total credit hours.

If several schools offer you admission:

• Forget (for a moment) the cost differences.
• Prioritize your needs with regards to your self-assessment.
• Re-examine your short list and the reasons those schools are on it.
• Visit schools you have not already seen. Revisit others, if necessary. The cost of one additional trip is insignificant compared to the cost of the education investment you are about to make.

It may be possible to defer enrollment. Try to avoid it. Most schools will consider deferrals, but policies differ. Valid reasons for deferral include:

• family crisis or illness
• unforeseen promotion or new project opportunity at work
• inability to acquire visa papers in time to study in a foreign country