ChoSundari

I agree...I am so bummed about this whole situation, but there's always another time I guess. thanks so much for your response

Did you receive word on funding? I'm still waiting and getting super anxious about it as my visa process is being held up (as are all other moving/travel arrangements)... I posted this in forum - any advice? Hannah

Thanks for your responses I really appreciate it I thought about deferring, but (1) I really want to start my masters this year - the job market is crap on a bachelors qualification, (2) when I was deciding between the two US universities I got into back in April my request to defer was declined by one of the universities even though I gave them the reason about the state of my government and the scholarship delay etc...this is what is deterring me from requesting a deferral from this university. I've already inquired about the procedure though, but then there's the whole idea of wasting a whole year in between...(3) I'm not even sure if I'm getting the scholarship/if there will be the same delay next year... I agree that now is a really busy time in my life..and I think financially it may be best to stay here, do my masters at the local university and probably think about going away with my husband for PhD...but this year has been so much work with applying and I've achieved so much - it feels like a crash landing

So here's the situation: 1. international student 2. accepted into a great university in the US to pursue a masters degree 3. applied for 5 scholarships through the university and through my local government 4. declined for 4/5 scholarships, last one is a government scholarship from which there's been no indication of when to expect an answer for the past 4 1/2 months! 5. recently married and have the usual start-up expenses (including some unexpected medical expenses) 6. also applied on late admission to a local university as a back up, chances of getting in are good, no response from them as yet 7. first time applying to go out of country for academic studies and unfamiliar with US systems Here's the problem: 1. This is an election year for my country and I feel like the government is preoccupied with politically related stuff - no care given to scholarship applications and communication is extremely vague and unhelpful as to when to expect an answer... 2. even if I get funding from that scholarship there are rumors that money may be late (at least 8 weeks) 3. as an international student my visa application process is being held up by no proof of funding and getting the I-20 form and visa interview etc takes about a month 4. no word from university about TA positions, also applied for other graduate position jobs and got one decline and no response from others 5. a number of affordable apartments I had my eye on have been snatched up (as expected) and I feel like my time is running out 6. marriage, medical expenses and those associated with starting a new life with my husband are making me nervous My questions: 1. Should I just decline the offer from the US university and attend the local university if accepted (I can fully afford the latter)? I feel like maybe I'm running out of time... 2. Should I stick it out and see what happens with the scholarship from my government? 3. How long is too long to wait? - I have a visa to process, leasing an apartment, moving etc. etc. all those things dependent on the funding from the scholarship... Thanks for the advice in advance - I'm so torn right now

That's good that you have other prospects just in case - but isn't the uni in the Netherlands waiting on a response on their offer? do you have a deadline to accept/decline? As far as distractions go, I work full time so that's one in itself (not nearly a big enough one). My contract ends soon so I'm also on the job hunt in case things don't work academically out for me this year. I'm also just spending my time looking at other options for postgrad studies for next year as going to a local university is another choice (but will have to be done for 2016 academic year) - that's much more economically feasible as tuition is 50% subsidized by the government for postgrad programs. I thought I'd try my hand and look internationally but right about now that hopeless feeling is taking over... I truly hate that my future is not in my hands, I have so little control over what's next it's ridiculous. I have a plan if I get the scholarship and another plan if I don't however I can't do much because right now I'm in limbo!

Ha! that's alright my feelings were the same - yes! others are suffering with me! I'm waiting to hear back from my government about a full scholarship I applied for. I was accepted to Vanderbilt University for a M.Ed. and everything rides on this scholarship...my country offers few student loans so I basically have two options if I want to attend grad school internationally: 1) get the scholarship, 2) be rich I applied since the first week in Feb. and initially the wait was 90 days (ridiculous!)..it's going on 4 months since I sent in my application and no one can give me any indication of how long I have to wait.... so I'm here, trying not to worry...working on plans B, C and D...wondering what the hell my future holds

i'm waiting on word about a scholarship as well! the anxiety is unreal...

I'm an international student with a spouse and was considering the J-1 visa however I thought that this visa was only for exchange students?

Emailed admissions to find out about deferring acceptance to next year, still waiting on a reply from them...anyone have any information as to the process? are there forms to fill out or do I just communicate directly with admissions?

hear you loud and clear JR... I'm sitting here pretty much numb, what now?

i feel like it doesn't even begin to make a dent in the 9-month cost of Harvard...I'm grateful but thinking i'm going to have to decline...*heartbroken*

got $14,000 grant...not sure how to feel about it...

Got a response: "aid information will be available by the end of the month" Which we knew already...

my sentiments exactly... I emailed yesterday, no response yet...

I'm having this same battle with Harvard GSE, as a fellow international student I understand your worry about debt as it is mine also... It's always great to jump a step up the ladder academically and hope it'll pay off in the long run and cover whatever debt you've accumulated, but I think as international students our case is a little different...Where do your job prospects lie in the future? How manageable do you think it'll be for your debt to be paid off? How comfortable are you with where you're at now, versus if you get the degree... I also got into Vanderbilt which is a hefty sum on it's own. How I'm rationalizing it is if I get financial aid from Harvard, maybe I can take out a small(er) student loan to cover living expenses. I got no aid from Vanderbilt but have applied to scholarships based on that acceptance letter as it came in January. Now it's just a waiting game... I haven't received word from them yet about financial aid - should be hearing back from them soon (hopefully) Apologies for not being of more help - all I can leave you with is "I'm going though it too...".

Funding is the word of the day for me....I feel like everyday is a battle with anxiety and endless waitinnnnggggggg....

Any idea when financial aid notice is happening? I'm so anxious about this...

Thanks! replied

I'm leaning toward Vanderbilt to tell you the truth...i know it's crazy but I am soooooooo drawn by the response I've gotten from lecturers, administrative staff, students...basically everyone I've reached out to has been extremely supportive and helpful...as an international student I'm really looking for more than just a brand name. On the other hand I literally just got a call from HGSE PSP's Program Director wishing me congratulations! So that's also quite warming. Financial aid notices may sway it, but I've also applied for other scholarships from my government (I'm from Trinidad in the Caribbean) for full funding. I think it may all come down to how flexible Vanderbilt's program is - I got into the M.Ed. CDA and I'm also planning on doing a Special Ed Concentration. So there's that freedom and versatility versus Harvard's rigid PSP program. One year is great but my question is, will I get as much out of it? or will it be so rushed and intense that I lose out on some of the practicum and networking opportunities at Vanderbilt? What do you all think?

got into CDA - on the hunt for apartments...any suggestions?

Did you get in? I got into HGSE's PSP and Vandebilt's M.Ed. Community Development and Action programs...what to do now...