gradschoolstinks

Do you know if PLUS loans are unsubsidized or subsidized? Anybody know the limit to subsidized loans for the year? My interest from my Master's degree is already accruing since I deferred for 3 yrs. What's worse than student loans? Credit card debt! Ugh. That's a whole other story.

Totally. I'm going to be balancing 4 classes/research/outside job, and a dog (is that even possible???), so it'll be nice not to have to deal with somebody else when I get home at night. On the other hand, it's nice to have someone to vent to or who you can talk with. But, I would have to find my roommates on craigslist, so it's really a crapshoot as to whether or not I'd get good ones. Who knows. The dog factor is the biggest issue with me, only b/c I don't want to have to worry about him when I leave the apartment. Thanks for your input!

Dude. Hallelujah. Well, my tuition award requires me to work on campus for 10-15 hrs a week, so I will probably end up taking out a loan AND getting a PT job outside of school. Hopefully. Yeah, I figure less bills in therapy, too! :-) Plus, I want to hang with my dog, and I don't want to worry about what he's getting into when I'm gone. With my stuff, I don't care, but I don't want him all up in my roommate's business, if you know what I mean. Done deal, dude. Thanks for the advice.

LOL! I like my username. I have a Master's degree, and let me tell you--when you're in the depths of graduate school, it can stink! I've had some TERRIBLE experiences with roommates--mainly my last one, who burned me bad. I'm willing to work my a88 off and take on a little more debt to have my own space. Plus, I have a dog, so it'd be easier to find a place to myself where my dog can run free. That's all. No feelings of entitlement here. Jeez. Harsh much?!!

Oh...right. There goes that idea! :-)

Ok, so I got a full tuition scholarship at a school that I'd like to attend, but no graduate stipend. While I'd entertain the idea of living with roommates, I'd *love* to have a place to myself and my dog, but that's gonna cost me. Is it ridiculous to 1) Take out federal loans to pay off a credit card debt? and 2) Take out federal loans to pay for rent? In a nice apt that I otherwise couldn't afford? I figure I can work my you know what off during grad school, but all in all probably won't amount to enough to pay for a 1BR apartment. Who the heck wants to live with roommates when you can have a place to yourself?? Anyone planning on taking out student loans to pay for living expenses? Is this normal?? Help!!!

Agreed. I don't understand why they didn't suck it up and dish out a stipend. Stinks. I think my application is pretty strong now, and I'm really afraid that if I prolong going back to school that I just eventually won't go. Ugh. Ph.D. w/o stipend, or throwing in the towel and getting a job? Just have no idea what to do!!!

You think it could mean C?? Even with a full tuition scholarship? Jeez, I hope not! Actually, I was accepted to a #1 school in my field, but with 0 funding and 0 potential for funding. In fact, I asked about 2nd year funding and they said it was unlikely! That, I considered a 'polite' rejection, although no living stipend is totally uncool!

I hear ya. I don't have kids, but I do have a dog, which is definitely an added responsibility and expense. Can't believe they didn't give me a stipend! I don't understand how they expect you to juggle 4 classes and work enough to pay rent and eat. Crazy. I'm thinking about dropping the Ph.D. idea and just getting a job. It might feel good to make some money for a change.

A'ight folks. I was accepted to a nice school with a full tuition scholarship (I have to take 1 year of classes before beginning research), but no living stipend. How do these schools expect us to pay rent w/no stipend? 4 classes + 20+ hours of work is going to be near impossible. Has anyone done this before? Did you survive? I once worked a 20 hr job outside of school w/3 classes and almost couldn't pull it off. What to do?!!! Take out more loans? I told myself if I had to take out more loans I wouldn't go back for the Ph.D. Too much debt. HELP!!! Any advice would be really appreciated.

Ok folks. Got accepted to a Harvard School of Health DSc program, but with no funding. How can I turn down Harvard?! But, why would I go to a program that doesn't have confidence enough in me to fund me? Haven't heard from my other 2 schools, but will most likely get in to one of them (less prestigious, non-Ivy) w/funding but has an excellent reputation in my field. But it's not Harvard! What would YOU do?!

I'm in the exact same position. Admitted to an insanely wonderful program, but no funding. I've been speaking with the Department Secretary, which is proving not very helpful at all. I'm planning on drafting a letter and sending it to the Grad. Program and/or the Dept. Chair. to ask for tuition remission, and use my offer at another university as leverage. I'm going into this program with a Master's degree in the field, and I just don't think it's right to ask for tuition at this point, and for 2 yrs! These guys are crazy if you ask me. Let me know what you end up doing and if you hear any good advice on the subject--would be *much* appreciated. Thanks!!

I'll tell you one thing--debt *sucks*. However, if you think it's worth it to pay for your 1st year and then try to get funding along the way, then go for it. I'm in a similar situation (offered a Ph.D at Harvard with no funding--not even a prospect of funding down the line), and have decided it is probably not worth the stress to take out the loans to cover tuition. Also, my argument is that I'd rather be at a school that feels confident enough in me to fund me. But, that's just my argument. Only you know what it's worth to you! Good luck!!

I'd probably have to go into 80K debt for the 1st two years of classes.....that is, if I didn't get *any* funding the second year. Then there's an added 3 or so years of research. Oy. I am starting to think it is just not worth it. I've heard from others that one should *never* pay their own way for a Ph.D. Also, do I really want to be in a place where the school doesn't value me enough to fund me??? I mean, while it *is* Harvard, I'm leaning towards going somewhere else if they (hopefully) offer me any funding. Kind of disappointing, but what can you do?

Hey all, I applied to 3 different schools for a Ph.D degree- Harvard, Tufts, and UC Davis. So far, I've heard from Harvard--accepted, but without funding. Big bummer. No word yet from the other schools, although I'm inclined to think I'll get some sort of funding from Tufts (I did my Master's there). So, my question for you all is: Would you turn down an offer for a Ph.D. at Harvard if it weren't funded? Or would you bust your b*tt to get through w/loans and 1+ jobs? I realize my thinking is probably premature, since I haven't heard from the other schools..but Harvard is my dream school and I really want to go. However, I've also heard things like students who are unfunded tend to fall through the cracks more often than those who are funded, etc. What to do? Any advice is appreciated! Thanks in advance!