sonnyday

This is great advice. :-) I really wanted to make a decision well before April 15th (for the sake of other waitlisted students), but it seems like I might have to wait till the very last minute.

Wow, I've had the opposite experience. I think I've downplayed graduate school before being accepted, possibly because I didn't think I'd get in, and just two years before I couldn't imagine ever having options for good schools. Maybe even a bit of imposter syndrome was creeping up on me. So when I saw the schools I visited, they were absolutely great to me, more than I'd expected, and I got the feeling of "wow, I'm actually going to do this" Even the stipends I was offered, though they aren't great, the fact that I am getting free money seems like more than I would have asked for.

I'm in the same position. I've been told that's its okay to ask for an extension, but I have no idea how to word that myself. I assume that if they are trying to keep you in the running, they will honor that request at least a little. I'll need other opinions on that though.

PROFILE: Type of Undergrad Institution: Small Tier 3 University Major(s)/Minor(s): Political Science Undergrad GPA: 3.6 Type of Grad: None Grad GPA: N/A GRE: 620 V, 640 Q, 5.0 W Any Special Courses: Not really Letters of Recommendation: I suppose they were good. I'll never know, but I asked those professors most closest to that I had good personal and professional relationships with. All political science professors (one research mentor). Research Experience: Undergraduate independent research at summer institute, Publication in school undergraduate research journal Teaching Experience: None Subfield/Research Interests: Comparative and American Politics, Race and Gender, African Diaspora studies SOP: Worked really hard on this, probably my best asset Other: Part of McNair Scholars Program, Pi Sigma Alpha, Studied abroad for 6 mths in South Africa, Attended APSA research conference RESULTS: Acceptances($$ or no $$): University of MD, Rutgers, Ohio State (all fully funded) Waitlists: UCLA, Johns Hopkins Rejections: Princeton, U of IL Urbana Champ, Columbia, Brown, UC Berkeley Pending: None Going to: Don't know yet! What would you have done differently? 1. Apply to programs much earlier than deadline. I would have started getting applications ready in the summer and submitted them all in November, ignoring the deadlines. 2. Made personal contact with professors I'd want to work with at APSA conference. I was overwhelmed and afraid, but in retrospect, a simple smile and recreational conversation would have been fine. 3. I think my GPA and GRE is what it is, and there is no point in stressing out over it. This almost kept me from applying for grad school. Overall, I'm happy with the results because I have great schools who chose me for me! They saw promise in my abilities through my SOP and research 4. I'm glad I did independent research (I was told my research paper was one of the main reasons I got in). Really helps those interested in a Ph.D stand out.

I wouldn't call this a suburban area at all, its just a little less urban, if that makes sense. The campus is more spacious and flat, but that's about it. Outside it gets urban again, but its in a part of DC that's not "gritty" urban but more yuppie urban, I guess. I wish I could explain it better, but your definitely still inside of a city and its easy to go off campus to more urban areas.

Harvard. Its name alone is a huge advantage that you didn't mention. Considering the payoffs on the job market, if I got accepted to Harvard, I'd find a way to make it work no matter what. Although you don't have this problem, because it sounds just as good for you as Cornell, and you do sound like you are leaning towards Harvard anyway (as another poster said).

Yes! Once you start debating semantics, the argument's been long over. (I suspect they are having loads of fun though).

I second this, and think its a good wrap up. The whole situation sucks (For both schools and students/applicants) and its okay to try to negotiate funding but we should also keep in mind other more important variables than funding in our decisions like the faculty and strength of program. Schools should try their best to make sure you can live comfortably while finishing a Ph.D program on a timely basis, but students should also realize that no one's case is special over others and also that not everyone is on an equal playing field. Regardless, we all make due with what cards we're given. Lisz, I generally understand your argument, but the cattiness and particularly the chauvinist jabs about rising's "mood swings" and gender are a huge no-no, IMO. You are being just as condescending as anyone else.

I don't think there is anything wrong with attempting to ask and negotiate with them, but I think showing up in person out of the blue might be a bit off-putting. They may need time to reply back, or you may just need to call them a little more. But to show up at their office and ask for more money is rude. They may need more time to respond or are working on it. Like I said, try calling them and email again, or try to set up an appointment to visit the school and just happen to mention funding while there. But honestly, if you find the professors are refusing to speak to you or ignoring your calls/emails, you may not want to work with them or go to that school at all.

That just seems a little to pushy and desperate to me. You should send another email a week later saying "You may not have received my last email, so I am forwarding it again..." and give them time to respond. Otherwise call and leave a few messages. After speaking to them over phone or email, then you should try to arrange a visit. And if by admitted you mean accepted their offer, it may be too late to try to negotiate for funding.

It hasn't worked for me. But I've heard that if you wait, more people than they expected might drop out and they may be able to up the offer to retain you. I doubt that will happen in my case, but it I guess it happens to some people.

I think that since this is a Master's program (and you are generally allowed to work in a masters program) this may be a good offer. Plus, most people don't get funded for a masters from what I've heard. But I would definitely ask and see--since its a private school they might be more flexible with funding. You should also ask if there are other departmental/school awards that can be applied for throughout the year or even if there is a position you can work at the school that will give you tuition remission on the rest of what you owe.

LOL! No I don't think that will be happening here. (I hope)

Sadly, this is probably very true for many schools. I guess it would help if they conveyed that to students though, because I've heard from too many faculty (including faculty at the exact school I was trying to bargain with--a person on the adcom) that I should try to negotiate and that they can be flexible in the long run.

Definitely no contest, but unless I state that fact, some will assume that I am some spoiled person who doesn't know how much they really need and asks for too much. I assume you didn't want to come off that way either, hence your need to state your background and experiences feeding your cats and dogs. I don't think you're trying to fight for who's who of the most poor, but I acknowledge your experiences. The problem is that rising did not need to remind us of any of this in the way that it was done, without even knowing enough about the schools we are choosing from, our background, etc. I wasn't saying that you or rising had cushions, but pointing it out that some do and some don't, and it makes perfect sense for those that don't to at least try and negotiate for what's best for them. I completely agree that money isn't everything, that there are long-term decisions and sacrifices to make, blah, blah. We are all adults and most of us understand these difficulties, else we wouldn't be agonizing over the decision for school and spending hours refreshing this forum (yes, I admit, I am pathetically addicted ) The condescending tone of this quote was the problem. Especially the bolded part. Up until that, everything rising said was fine and understandable: Funny, I assumed rising was a woman.

While I understand your POV, I'm a little tired of hearing this same response whenever someone mentions a need for more funding. You have a great understanding of the University's perspective, but not a good one of other people that are different from you, or even an acknowledgement that we all come from different backgrounds. Unwillingness on their part is no different than not being able to. Either way, a school is unwilling to negotiate. There is no way for me to know what happened behind the scenes, as according to the school's response, nothing happened (if so it would be in their interest to say so). And I am left to make this decision in light of that. Its great that you were able to give up so much money for school, that clearly was doable and workable for YOU, and hopefully it will pay off. But not everyone is in the same boat. Believe me, I have had ample experience living on much less than most and less than the stipend actually, and have no problem managing my finances. I doubt there is any amount of stretching left that I could do that could "amaze" me. This experience is why I am trying to AVOID ever doing this again, especially while working and studying for 5+ more years of my life. I am married (we are both applying for Ph.D programs) and also have plans to have children (and I don't plan on putting them off any longer while struggling). We've sacrificed the health care, the leisure time, worked full-time while attending school, took turns supporting each other while spending more years in school... it is NOT cute, nor is it a badge of honor. During campus visits, I talked to a few graduate students about how they live off of their stipends. The typical response: yeah, its low but if you find a roommate, and eat ramen you'll be fine. Many have parents and family to back them up if they fall, no debt, no children/spouse to support, and all sorts of "cushioning" so to speak. Although uniform stipends/funding seems fair, to pretend that those with a wealthy/middle class background (as most grad students are) don't have an advantage over those without is a little offensive. Anyway, the lack of funding is a bummer and I have a right to be bummed. Wow, I'm surprised you've made so many assumptions about other people's choices. BTW, it might help you to know that both schools are very good (there is no one advisor that's much better than the others), and if money was my only deciding factor, I would have instantly rejected the lower one. I think that to NOT try and ask for more funding when you need it would be stupid. While I don't blame them if they don't have any more funds, or if I am not as competitive as those students who they've offered fellowships (the funding is not equal across the board), I'm going to do what's in my own interests. That only makes sense, right? And I'd say not having to work during school and stress out over finances also helps to make one the best scholar they can be.

I couldn't help but feel the same way. I tried negotiating a bit for a higher stipend, to no avail. The response seem to be along the lines of "the other schools offer is so much better, there is no way we can compete, so why bother? Sorry." I'm not sure if that means "No" outright or what, but the unwillingness to even come up a little is enlightening yet disheartening for me (I was set on choosing them before I realized that the funding would take a lot to stretch). I was also in a position like the OP: having one school with a great package, but lacking a little in other areas while the other is better (with a higher ranking) but has a very low stipend. I don't want finances to control my decision, but then again I don't want to have to struggle either. And I get the feeling I would be with the package I was given. Both are great schools (that's what makes it so hard!) too. *sigh...* :-(

So I was thinking (and I am probably wrong), could you rely on external funding to supplement a small stipend? Is it common for grad students to receive grants and scholarships later, or is it best to go with the school who offers you more money? And if you have an assistantship, can you add external funding to it without the school decreasing it?

I plan on moving ASAP!

No point, since you already accepted admission. And I doubt they would fund you when they don't have to (unless there is money leftover). It seems like a waste of money. But I can understand your enthusiasm. Maybe you should plan to arrive early at the end of summer instead.

It would be in your interest to tell them, as they can possibly offer some good feedback and you will need them to write recommendations next year. Much harder to find new recommenders IMO. They may even write stronger letters and suggest ways to improve your chances later (like enrolling in some classes or attending a summer research program). Either way, if you DON'T tell them, they'll automatically know that you didn't get in anywhere (or else you would say something). But letting them know this way just looks juvenile and unprofessional. Better to just do so the professional way and tell them, then confidently and optimistically ask for help to on how to move forward. And honestly, not getting in the first round seems to be quite normal. Especially if you applied to competitive schools. They will understand. I'm sure they've seen this with plenty of other students and they probably went through the same thing years ago.

Just received my rejection also. It was worded very nicely I must say. Although I was not accepted, it was a relief, no doubt. Just waiting for two more so that I can breathe a bit more freely. (I've actually started to warm up to the schools I am choosing from).

Wow that was horrible! You should be GLAD you were rejected.

I've pretty much chosen the school I want also, but I am still waiting on a few decisions from other schools. Once I get those (and if they are negative) I think I'll have my decision ready. But I would give it a few days if I were you. Just in case. Otherwise, go for it. I plan on at least rejecting an acceptance in less than two weeks at most. Definitely before April.

Thanks for letting us know Penelope! We do appreciate it (I wish there were more faculty/grad students/staff here to give advice).