Gut Feelings

When I started planning on doing my PhD in the UK I made a spreadsheet ('cause I like doing that) that ranked my top choice schools. The criteria were UK ranking, world ranking, accreditation, followed by location, cost of living, and so forth. I had about ten schools on the list. There were four schools that meet all the criteria that I needed, and they were at the very top of the list, a pack at the bottom that were fallback plans and then there was the school that I'm currently attending, UofG. It was nestled somewhere in the middle of the pack. I honestly couldn't tell you how it even made it on the list, let alone into the middle of the rankings.

The plan was to start school in fall 2011. In Sept of 2010, when I knew that I really, really, really wanted to start in the winter term at the beginning of 2011, my list got cut to three schools. Not many schools had a winter start date. Suddenly my list consisted of one school from the top four of my list, school A, one school that I hadn't considered but took winter students, and UofG. Still holding it's own in the middle of the pack.

Getting my degree from an AASCB school is very important for finding teaching jobs back in the US and so I was very focused on school A. I contacted several professors, worked really hard on my proposal, but somewhere in it, I got the feeling that it wasn't the school I wanted to go to. I sent off two proposals and applications right before heading to my Zurich trip. I knew before I even left that regardless of accreditation I really wanted to go to UofG.

Today I met a fellow PhD student who is from Toronto. She just transferred to UofG in January. From, wait for it, school A! The AASCB school that I felt I needed to go to, but didn't feel good about. She faces some of the same accreditation issues that I do and this is also why she chose school A. She said that despite it's very high ranking and accreditation, the business school is horrible. Professors are miserable and leaving left and right and there is no guidance for doctoral students and many quit the program.

How completely bizarre is that? I love to plan and organize and make my spreadsheets, but after all the intellectual thinking is done I sit back and listen to what my gut tells me. (well, it's a bit more spiritual than just my gut...) It always leads me to the right path. (unfortunately, sometimes the "right" path is also the painful path. The D.C. years are a testament to that.)

Sometimes I really like my gut.

(I hadn't planned on a post today and don't have any new photo's, but what's a post without a photo? I thought I'd share an oldie but a goody from my 2009 trip to Disney World. :) )