>>13139214Pre-Acceptance:
Come up with a list of safe schools, a list of reach schools, and a list of in-between schools to apply for. Base your selection on the practical stuff - Does this school have a good program for my field? Do they have research I’m interested in? Do they have a good stipend package? Do they have a good cost of living? Etc.
Post-Acceptance:
Visit any schools you’ve been accepted to if you can. Base your final decision on your gut - Is this a place I can see myself being happy at for 4-6 years? Are these people I can get along with? Is this place a good fit for me? Am I a good fit for it? Etc.
Be open to the idea that your top choice on your list when you apply may not be the best choice. I got accepted to two Ivys and I ended up passing on both because I realized they weren’t a good match for me, and I don’t regret that decision in the slightest.
