lisshanghuanggg

I don't think it is. I think the faculty members know how important it is, and I always discuss funding openly with my supervisors from undergrad and grad schools. One of my lecturers once commented directly that US schools have more money and discouraged me from applying to UK schools .... Also, I had a friend who spent a lot of time connecting with a Cambridge professor and he had a huge change getting in. I told him to ask about funding in the early stages and if they don't have money for him, just don't waste his time. He didn't really pay attention to it and it turned out he had to give up Cambridge, because, no, money. I would say that he wasted a lot of time and energy on the program that he couldn't afford. So yes, ask it. I'm also working on the 24 phd applications and I only look for the unis that have funding available. Trust me, otherwise it would be a waste of time for you and the school.

Thank you!!

Hi all! I'm a Chinese student preparing to apply for a philosophy phd program, mainly from U.S schools. Just wondering if I should email prospective professors first or just apply directly? I understand that in U.S universities, it is the committee rather than individual professors deciding whether to take in a student. But I'm not from US and I literally don't know anyone there. And I've heard both sides of the story, that someone emailed a professor and it turned out he liked him so he just got in and got double scholarships. Also, someone who just applied to the system and got in. Also, another question I have is, I'm a Chinese female, which makes me a minority, presumably. Would it be a factor that negatively affects my applications? Could you please give me some advice?? Thank you so much!!