Out-of-State Grad Schools

Yesterday’s post talked about graduate schools in the state of North Carolina. Presumably, these programs are cheaper than heading across state lines in search of my Master’s degree. However, there are plenty of schools out there that can offer me just as great, if not better, of an education as NC schools. Keeping in mind the chance for scholarships, I have decided to consider a plethora of out of state schools.

Noteworthy: I sent out a request to have information packets mailed to me from English departments with a Master’s degree option via this third party website: http://www.gradschools.com/search-programs/. I have decided only to consider the schools that have mailed me information, this narrows my search and makes this post shorter. [Please note, however, I still have an open mind to those grad schools that have not sent snail mail]

Choice #1:
Name: Clemson University
Location: Clemson, South Carolina
Necessary GRE Scores: “competitive”
# of Recommendations: 2
Required Submissions: writing sample, personal statement
Application Due Date: February 1st
Assistantship Payment: $5,000 (fellowship) $500 (stipend award) $11,374 (TA 1st year) $13,724 + tuition waivers (TA 2nd year)
Estimated Costs: $2,040/year(TA) $14,370 (non TA)

Choice #2:
Name: Boston College
Location: Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
Necessary GRE Scores: “Generally we expect the verbal score to be above the high 500s, and the writing score a 5 or over.”
# of Recommendations: 3
Required Submissions: 1-2pg statement of purpose, writing sample
Application Due Date: Febuary 1st
Assistantship Payment: 1st year’s full tuition (15 credit hours)
Estimated Costs: $21,708 (@ 9 credit hours/semester)

Choice #3:
Name: Old Dominion University
Location: Norfolk, Virginia
Necessary GRE Scores: ?
# of Recommendations: 2
Required Submissions: essay, 5-10pg sample writing
Application Due Date: February 15th (TA) June 1st (Fall) November 1st (Spring)
Assistantship Payment: ?
Estimated Costs: $16,254 (tuition/year)

Choice #4:
Name: University of South Florida
Location: Tampa, Florida
Necessary GRE Scores: Verbal: 600+, Writing: 4+
# of Recommendations: 3
Required Submissions: purpose statement, writing sample
Application Due Date: February 1st
Assistantship Payment: 80% of tuition + additional stipend
Estimated Costs: $13,963/year (tuition)

i might have fallen in love with Clemson

As I was researching these four schools I decided that I probably can’t afford to go to Boston College, I really don’t want to live or go to school in LA (I was planning on researching this school but i don't see the point), I don't think I want to move back to Florida (I lived there for 9 years), I could go to Old Dominion, and I might have fallen in love with Clemson.

A Question for my Readers

Which out-of-state grad school should I choose?