donasen

Congrats to you for your funding offer. And best wishes to those who didn't make it this year. I cannot tell if mine came with a better funding offer. Initially I was quite disappointed when I saw it. Then I joined this group on Facebook "PhD in US Fall 2021" and I was shocked to see the kinds of stipends people were reporting. Some departments of University of Arkansas for instance, were offering $14k plus something and I was shocked. That's because I saw that schools like University of Southern California were offering $32k in all. But when I wen to the websites where living cos rations were calculated, I was shocked to find that living costs in Arkansas were incredibly low compared to California for instance, which almost makes the $14k of Arkansas almost worth more than that of USC. So I think basically, schools calculate the package according to what could just sustain the student based on living costs of that location. But not much more for saving etc. What I like about my package though is the health insurance and travel support. Other than that, I think comparisons are not very effective just looking at the quantity of the cash. I think we should just be grateful, just like you said, that we got funded offers in these difficult times.

I've already seen about four people here going to MSU already. Maybe we can start something!

Sorry that things didn't exactly work out this term. But keep trying. I'm sure you'll finally get in. And also let's help each other by sharing our experiences, particularly those who succeeded this term. Maybe someone's experience might help someone tomorrow. All the best.

Wow! Congrats once again. You had a lot of choices and that's good. I also finally got a fully funded offer to Michigan State University. Got the decision on April 9 and I plan to attend this fall. By the way, one thing I found about funding packages is that, unless you take the living cost of the location into account, the mere size of the amount doesn't really mean much. The living costs of the place really determine how much the amount is really worth. I'm very happy with my package, which includes full health insurance and guaranteed travel support! I'm so excited to enroll this fall. Best wishes to you too.

Congrats on the UT Dallas offer and acceptance. At the end of the day, you can only attend one school. So the other rejections don't mean much. You've got your PhD dreams on a good footing and that's what matters. I hope that your offer at UT Dallas came with funding?

Keep being strong! I'm in a similar situation. I have been in touch with my POI, who happens to be the head of the department I'm admitted to. They said they would clarify everything by the end of this week. Today is Thursday, and still I haven't heard anything yet. That leaves me with tomorrow. The anxiety is unbearable! Meanwhile I made it clear to them that my ability to accept the offer would depend on the funding decision. It is a depressing situation. But my faith is strong and so should be yours. I pray we all get positive resolutions to this nightmare. It would be a beautiful story. All the best.

May I know the offers you're declining?

Congrats! Is it funded and are you accepting the offer? If I remember correctly, you also got an offer for Michigan State University

That's fantastic! I was admitted into the Information & Media PhD program. But I've been waitlisted for funding. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Would be nice to meet you there.

Anyone here who won admission to Michigan State University's Information & Media PhD program?

Hey Barbara, what programme did you get admitted to at MSU?

Wow! Congratulations. I'm happy for you.

I certainly would like to go. But I've been placed on funding waitlist and my hopes of attending depend on that. Have you been offered funding?

I have quite been in touch with my supervisor who happens to be the director of the school of journalism. The previous Friday, he wrote to me to assure me that they're working on funding for me and I shouldn't think that they've forgotten me. Indeed the pandemic has really wrought havoc. Do you mind sharing your school with me? Mine is Michigan State.

What program or level did you apply to? Information & Media PhD? I was admitted into that program without an interview. But from the gradcafe results, I know some other people were interviewed.

What program were you offered at MSU? And was it a PhD?

I applied to MSU for a PhD too, but to the school of communication arts and sciences. Got my admission offer in late January. Didn't attend an interview. I'm not sure how it is with other departments.

I'm in a similar position in a US university. I was offered admission in January, but placed on a funding waitlist sort of, at the end of August. My Potential supervisor who happens to be a director of the department earlier gave me firm assurances of funding, only for him to later inform me that I'm on a wait list sort, that they're working to secure funding for me or that, if one of the offer holders decline the offer, I might enter. So everything now depends on two factors, either they get additional funding to take me or one offer holder declines. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I also hold an offer for top London School, but I really like this American school. Let's keep up the faith and hope for the best and if possible, let's connect elsewhere to see how things progress.