sideorderofchuckles

If the peace of mind of accepting to A now > a similar or better offer at B or C later, then accept A. If not, wait. It's just a matter of what is important to you, not anyone else. Best of luck!

There should absolutely be no harm in negotiating so long as you're tactful. Don't overthink it. This should be a very straightforward conversation. You want to study at such & such school. Such & such school wants you. But you need some security in being able to make ends meet so you can keep the focus on your education. That's about all there is to it. If a school rescinds an offer because you've broached that subject, I'm fairly confident that's not the school for you and you're better off having found that out at the outset.

For some reason I was expecting a letter. That's how I understood that I would be notified. I don't like the mail, it's always junk, but for the last 3 weeks I was checking it religiously, even on Sundays . It got to a point that I would check the mail anyway but not really expect to see anything. And I started to prep myself mentally for not getting in. So I am in a master's program now (I am applying into PhD). I have a group project in one of my classes and went to check my school email this morning which I haven't checked in a week. I open the email and the top email in my inbox is subject line 'Good News from I/O Phd Program!' Totally took me off-guard. I yelled to my wife 'I got in!' and read the email aloud to her word for word (but really wasn't processing anything other than I got in) and then called my mom. I really wanted to have a beer or some champagne but it was noon on a Sunday. So now it's later and I'm having my beer now instead

I'm 34. I was more worried about the age mattering to me than to the school. Or more accurately, the responsibilities I have rather than the age. I have a mortgage and an 18 month old son. I applied to a PhD program understanding I'd have to quit my job. And I'm finally making good money (but the work isn't meaningful to me). Going from 'good money' to a $16k / year stipend is something I can't just jump into given my commitments. Luckily my wife has a good, stable job. They pay teachers well here in CT. So we can probably make this work, but my choice to go back to school will require sacrifices from my family. I found out I got accepted to my program of choice today. Which is f-ing awesome, but it makes all the money stuff real now. Had I had my epiphanies when I was 25 I would not have this conflict. For me, this is why age is relevant.