Too add to the prestige vs fit discussion, I think it is a balance. For example if someone was deciding between Harvard and Random Program of Random State, and felt like they liked RPRS a bit more or felt it was a better fit, but they also liked Harvard, it would make a lot of sense to go with Harvard, even if it isn't as good a fit. If they're both reasonably good options then I think prestige is worth it. On the other hand, if the same person hated Harvard and knew they'd be miserable in the city or program, and truly couldn't see themselves happy there, and they felt that RPRS was a good fit, then it would make a lot of sense to rank RPRS over Harvard. I guess what I'm saying is that the issue is not black and white and you shouldn't let a somewhat better subjective "fit" knock out an objectively better program, nor should you pick a more prestigious program that you hate over one that is lower ranked but you'd be happy at. - Not hating on RPRS btw, it was just the first school I thought of
op here again. I agree that family or geographic restrictions trump both fit and prestige. moving away from loved ones for 3 to 4 years is not a good idea <okay cool haha then we're on the same page :) you mean if all other factors are equal, including geography.
would like to add that moving away from loved ones for 3-4 years *during these very pivotal relationship-forming/building years of our lives* is not a good idea.
I think the comment to the left is sort of misguided. Prestige is certainly one way to tie-break. But you can rank more prestigious programs that you loved lower than ones that you liked less but that is not geographically where you want to be. If you don't have any ties to a particular area, then yea, prestige and overall fit of a program is a great way to direct your rankings. Some people are more career minded and some people want other things in life. Everyone's approach to ranking will be different based on a balance of career and non-career life goals, where some people value one over the other more highly. And no I'm not trying to dissuade anyone from ranking a top program haha you do you people. But the overrepresentation of people who are being considered for these top programs is amazing.