Reinventing

-sane -able to focus on work -hopeful ("it's gonna happen!") -less chip-on-shoulder-y, distracted, dark-circled, occasionally grumpy -wealthier -not addicted to Twizzlers

Dear [Fill in Candidate Name], We were thrilled by your application, and very much impressed by your background. But we have decided to give your seat to someone who can pay for it. I know you probably think education should be available to members of the hardworking-but-financially-challenged masses like you, especially if you are willing to work for it by contributing to the department, but the truth is, we're just not that into you if you aren't spitting money from your hindquarters. It's nice that you worked in a non-profit, but hey, show us the money, you know? We gotta eat, too. So don't think of this as a kiss off, but as a new day dawning. Maybe you'll use it to go out and make some money. See you when you have some dough. Maybe. Muah Hahaha

(((HUGS)))) nandelle. I think circulating means it's going around the department being read. The "even Washington" comment made me laugh. They are not exactly warm and fuzzy--but you're right, at least they've got their ducks in a row enough to send you a notice. It may be that the UBC one is in the mail, or something. Crossing my fingers for you.

At one point, I wished I'd applied to more schools. But: -I didn't really have time (in my field, the application processes and requirements are all different for each school) -It is expensive (I'm just now learning how expensive this can all be. . . No wonder my parents didn't drag me on a cross-country college tour when I was looking at schools for undergrad) I ended up applying to my solid/safety schools because I thought they were my best chance to stand out and hopefully get financial aid. It's still up in the air at this point (which I take as not a good sign); and I may think about changing my career aspirations a bit, but if I could go back in time, I don't think I'd change anything.

Wow, lab_rat, they did that to you in a group interview situation? That sounds weird, and a little callous.

Hah hah, I scanned the first post and misread "funding limbo" as something else--but I'd say both words accurately describe the limbo I feel I'm in. I was just about to make a new topic called, "Getting in with no funding is an awful lot like not getting in at all." But there was already a topic like this. There's this weird psychological shift--you don't feel half as mad at them as you would if you'd just gotten rejected. You don't get to hold it against them in the same way. But I'll still feel like I've had the rug pulled out from under me, if I'm "in" but unfunded.

Rankings are not that important and my guess is "major rank" (not sure where you got this) is for the undergraduate program. I wouldn't sweat the difference between 54 and 70 (these numbers change, but even if they don't, they still suggest these two schools are in the same basic "tier"). I do think Syracuse is more well known. There are plusses and minuses for both of these schools, but I can't say which is better, because I think it really depends on what you're looking for. Do you have any other information from which to make this decision (interactions with faculty, course of study, quality of labs, etc)?

I agree with BradL, it sounds like maybe they are just trying to explain why you should fill out the FAFSA now (so if they do accept you, they will be able to tell you the aid you qualify for in the acceptance package). It is a bizarre letter.

Most of the deadlines have passed, and I'd think twice before applying to a school just because it has a late deadline. But--one thing you might try is a Google search for: PhD electrical engineering "rolling admissions," or PhD electrical engineering deadline March (or April, or May). I am in a similar situation with another school (no word on funding, but a request to let them know if I accept)--and I have to say, if you do not get funding (and you need funding) then don't pay the deposit, and don't worry about them bugging you. To me, them bugging you says a lot about what's most important to them. . . My school doesn't ask for a deposit, but I wouldn't dream of paying one in this situation. This may mean losing an offer, but if you can't afford to pay and you don't have an assistantship, well, you can't afford to go. And you shouldn't accept. This may seem harsh situation, but to some schools, it's more important to fill the seat with a student who can pay them. In this situation, I think you'd be better off trying again next year than accepting out of desperation and paying more than you can afford to pay.

Wow, those are fantastic results--congrats! My schools have experienced some shifts in their budget over the last 3 months, so hopefully the delay is more related to that than their enthusiasm for me. But even if it is the latter, better to know sooner than later. :>

Yes, but I 1) loved undergrad and 2) would be in a different department. I've heard a lot of people say "just don't do it," but I don't think it's that simple. Probably the best reason to leave would be to broaden your network, but if you've found the best community/network already, there may not be a compelling reason to go anywhere else.

Definitely feeling anxious, but mostly about funding. Am still waiting to hear back about funding on all my programs. The weirdest thing was sitting around thinking about my options, and realizing that my not-so-top choice might swing wildly into first place if I got funding from there and nowhere else. . . I have a strong academic record/scores, but I avoided applying to top-10 schools because I knew it would give me a heart attack if I got in--for many reasons (and, also, funding/keeping costs low was key for me).

I'm expecting the same thing to happen with one of my schools. Decisions on TA positions have been put off indefinitely, but we have still been asked to let the department know ASAP if we're not planning to attend. This seems odd from my perspective (don't want to put the cart before the horse, so to speak), but I guess schools are really crunching for tuition money.

Wow, I think it's great that people are tapping into these creative options to save money. I certainly saw creative money-saving amongst my grad TA friends when I was an undergrad, so I think it will look more resourceful than transient. Am I the only one who'd feel a tad uncomfortable couch surfing with a near-stranger? Maybe it's just part of being an older grad-school applicant (haven't done communal living in a while).

Applying to two state schools. Just wondering, is anyone getting TA/RA offers with their acceptance letter? My acceptances haven't made any offers of funding, so far--still waiting for a formal letter from one of the schools, though.

I don't know, it's tough. I don't think I'd be as good at paying off all that debt in 4 years, though. It would take me longer. Talking to other folks in programs similar to mine helped me figure a few things out--are there people you can talk with who've been down these roads? Maybe post on the Chronicle of Higher Ed (I'd be careful about offering too much detail, though)?

The faculty in this department appear to have dual administrative roles--they have been the ones I have interacted with primarily (or tried to anyway ).

I hope one of the schools you are waiting on comes through. *crossing fingers* I'd have a tough time paying full tuition.

Thanks, tritonetelephone, I saw that topic--I'm just worried that all indicators seem to be pointing in the opposite direction with this school. It's not a lack of information/lukewarmness that's discouraging me, it's the interactions I've had so far, like: -online application crashed several times wiping out all my data, echoing comments I've heard by others about nightmarish web systems at this school -the system used to track application materials had a message directing me not to contact the department to follow up (other schools encouraged me to do so) -e-mails not responded to, calls not answered (this was after acceptance); while they say "get in touch/ask questions" it seems like they don't mean it -several key roles in the administration held by adjuncts, which I don't understand; and which may account for the bumpiness of this experience All of this is very different from my experience with my undergrad U (helpful, engaged, functional, proactive), and quite surprisingly in contrast to reputation and marketing materials ( ). I know it could be a valuable learning experience, but going back to school will leave me very short of money, so I'm trying to save where I can. Ah, decisions, decisions. . . I'm not in a field where people expect to get financial assistance for visits, I just hope they won't hold it against me if I don't go. I really didn't expect it to cost so much to travel out there--but the hotel is twice as much as anticipated, and because of the timing, I'd end up having to pay for 5 days of rental car.

Thanks for this, tritonetelephone, I think this is what I needed to hear. . . Ironically, the visit is to one of the schools where you were also accepted (different program), and the things you said I should look out for are ones I have concerns about already (thus the cold feet). But you're right--I'll never know for sure unless I visit. Another nod to your "don't copy and paste" in the "How do I say no" topic. I see this sort of thing a lot, and it always makes me shake my head a little. I mean, I get where they're coming from, people are busy--but when my colleagues and I get together to compare thank-you notes, for example, it always makes us all feel somewhat less special when they all say the same thing.

Hmm, maybe it's specific to your area of engineering. . . I've worked with hundreds of BS Engineers seeking their MBAs over the last 10 years, and no one told me they were held back in their career because they didn't have an MS. Also, the companies that hired them were happy to have BS Engrs who understood the basics of engineering, but who also had high-level business skills, too (as the latter was their main focus moving forward). Just saying this is what I've seen, and from observing a larger number of BS -> MBAs than most people would run across. Don't want you to spend time/money if you don't have to. Again, maybe the area you are targeting is specific and requires this; but it is not what I have observed "at large" with your regular ol' BS->MBA. Okay, now I'm off my soapbox.

I, too, am magnetized by full funding. (Tritonetelephone, I like your thinking--if you have thoughts about when to shell out dough for a campus visit, I have a post currently located a few rows below this one.)

If someone else asked you that question, what would you say? (Just thinking it might help to look at the question objectively, but putting your own knowledge to work.) I'd start by looking at the jobs you could get with the master's, and the salary info. Then consider your debt with respect to the number of years you'd be working. Are you comfortable with those numbers? Also, is $120,000 just the present value of the debt you would take out? Or by the time you pay it off, will it look like more like $180,000?

Is the competition for the roles in which you are interested steep? I know in some areas, design jobs are plumb and can be hard to come by. Also, what about part-time study options?

Could you go for the MBA right now? I've seen lots of engineers do it (granted, mostly EEs), and I believe that BS->MBA is actually much more common than BS->MS->MBA. Especially if you're okay moving into the business side of the company, going direct to MBA makes sense. If for some reason you need the more specific technical knowledge (let's say you're managing a very technical process, and making judgment calls about which epoxy, etc) or you like a company that has tons of MSs and you'd need one to "join the club", then maybe an MS would make sense; but with the more general areas of the business (or managing a process that already has MS engineers you can consult in your decision making), if you have the BS that might be enough, when combined with your MBA.