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Luna1

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Posts posted by Luna1

    Funding or Reputation?

    in Decisions, Decisions

    Posted

    I am currently weighing offers of very different qualities, but both schools have top supervisors in my field that are willing to take me on.

     

    The first is an internationally renowned institution with an excellent department, but no money... They offer 4 years of funding with TAships and small scholarships, little summer support, and underfunded health benefits.

     

    The second has a much less prestigious reputation, but their department is strong with a good reputation and they have TONS of money... They offer 6 years of funding, including TAships and huge scholarships (I am getting 32,000 + tuition in the first year...). They give full summer support and insane health benefits. I would not have to go into debt if I took this offer..

     

    What would you choose?! 

    Full Scholarship but still needing loans

    in The Bank

    Posted

    Also factor in the cost of living in the city you are planning to move to. Some funding packages/stipends count for high costs of living, but others do not. Check the stipulations on your funding regarding having a summer job etc... and email asking if there is other work to be had for the university (i.e. RA, TA, GA, etc...). The rule of thumb I have lived by in terms of supporting myself are to never let rent and utilities equal more than half of my funding (after tuition/assuming you having tuition remission), shop around for cheaper internet than the large providers, try not to pay for transportation when you don't have to (i.e. walk everywhere), 

     

    LittleDarlings makes a great comment comment about roommates because it is not just splitting the cost of rent, but utilities, and cable/internet, which eat up a lot of income. 

     

    A lot of schools provide cost calculators and there are other cost calculators all over the net. I would add about 1000/2000 to the number you get and that will generally be correct.

    Possible to negotiate financial package?

    in The Bank

    Posted

    Yes, I used my other offers as leverage but only in a very tactical way:

     

    1) highlight the difficulty of the decision in terms of reconciling funding with school rep/faculty expertise

    2) state specifically that after pursuing more research about the institution, and being in touch with faculty personally (if applicable), you are seriously considering the offer

    3) explain that you have been offered large scholarships from other institutions which are enticing because you are no longer in the running for external scholarships this year (if applicable)

    4) Ask if there are any other scholarships or funding options for PhD students in the coming academic year. This way you are indirectly asking for funding based on what seems like merit, not just asking them to throw more money at you.

     

    It doesn't matter if the funding package is already great. I negotiated on a one-year MA package (for a one year degree) of 20,000, and came out with 27,000 (+ tuition).

     

    For PhD, I negotiated on a base of 22,000 (+ tuition) per year for six years and came out with a guarantee of 32,000 for the first year with possibility of renewal and other scholarships in subsequent years.

     

    Whether or not you are already getting solid funding, there is usually more money to be had. The other thing to consider is the benefits included though: does the school offer things like maternity leave (if you're female) or paramedical benefits? My funding package with my PhD school is also worth another $5000, which is something for you to factor in.   

    Possible to negotiate financial package?

    in The Bank

    Posted

    I too have never heard of anyone rescinding offers. I negotiated for funding for my master's and just did the same for my phd. Both times funding was increased exponentially. I speculate that they offer similar funding to everyone and have a floating buffer they kick in if asked by a student they want. If you make it clear that funding is the only thing holding you back, and you've been accepted in their first round offers, I think it would be a mistake not to ask...

    SSHRC Doctoral Fellowship/CGS Doctoral Scholarship 2014-2015

    in The Bank

    Posted · Edited by Luna1

    Hi everyone,

     

    There doesn't seem to be a thread started for the Masters SSHRC but perhaps you can still answer my question. I'm filling out my CV and don't know if I should include dance certificates in the credentials section (I took ballet throughout high school and reached the highest level in the Royal Academy of Dance exams). The research I'm proposing has to do with ballet dancers and early retirement, so I thought my dance training might be somewhat relevant. However, I don't want to look as though I'm overstuffing my CV with irrelevant or petty "credentials", in case that will hurt my application especially since I've received some more legitimate funding and fellowships during my undergrad/this first year of my Masters.

     

    Any thoughts?

     

     

    I would put your certification or achievement from the Royal Academy of Dance, not your studio. I agree, it is relevant to your work. However, as scholars we don't always want to show the personal connection to our research up front... You need to weigh the level of passion it shows for your topic, with the potential for a negative attitude toward subjectivity of the researcher. It depends what persona you are trying to show. I know that's not the most helpful, but as I said at the beginning, I would include it if you have the space.

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