clou99

I got accepted for a PhD at UIUC, unfunded. Due to the overwhelming budget crisis, I kind of expected that but I guess I had a glimmer of hope. I only applied there as well. I live overseas, I can't take the risk of moving back to the states without any type of funding. I moved away from America to get out of debt/save cash, not to return to school and dig a hole. So, I am not going this year but I plan to apply to more schools next year, it may not be my ideal program or location but hey, times are tough and I need to go where the money will be. I am just glad I found all of this out before I moved 9000 miles to be stuck in the cornfields with no money. School will always be there. I can wait until someone funds me.

There are people who do this as single parents, much older than you and surviving on just a stipend/TAship without any other income. So put your fears aside, you got in. You are good enough and hey, you have a lot to teach those young'ns.

Here is my rant. I really wish that schools would notify people earlier, especially if you applied before their December deadlines. Anyone else feeling the same about the notifications? How about deferring? Are you considering it? I was accepted into a PhD program in Educational Policy Studies informally via email last week. I work overseas and we have to sign contracts, inconveniently, in December as well. Given that it is a recession in the states, I didn't think it was prudent to quit my job just *hoping* to be accepted. Now, I had some leeway to get out of this work contract in Jan or maybe Feb. But here it is now April and I am just now being admitted and I am still waiting for that formal letter with funding notification. I can't put all my eggs in one basket. So I have decided to defer. Any one out there deferring as well due to finances or just not being notified in time to get your self together to make that transition? Have you deferred? Share your success story.

wow, nothing. anybody out there that wants to share about when you decided to go?

Hi Board, I am 31 years old and am facing one of those life decision moments, so I am hoping like minded people could help out. I have been teaching for 6 years. I did Teach for America, taught in urban and virtual schools in America and currently, I teach abroad in Asia. I just finished my master's in ed.policy in global studies at UIUC. Given my breadth of experiences and my interests in international ed. policy, I want to go back to get my PhD and my professors and advisor are quite insistent that I enroll ASAP. However given the current economic status of the nation. I am a bit leery. I don't know if a $15,000 fellowship will allow me to do things such as...eat. Also, I like my job here and make good money, not to mention I am able to save quite a bit. Even though my work and living situation is great and is often subject of admiration from peers in the USA, I long to get my PhD and feel that my brain is not being challenged and that I am not beginning my research. My question is when was the right time for you? Thank you for your stories.