No funded PhD program--what are my options?

[atlas]

Hi,

I have been accepted into a PhD program that I want to go to. It is at a public university, so eventually, when I get in-state residence I will pay very little tuition. It is also in a small size cheap town. So I think that I am going to accept this PhD program. However, I have some doubts and I am wondering if accepting this PhD program is going to drive me deep in debt. I would like to hear stories from people who have done this. Also I am wondering if schools sometimes change their minds about funding you once you show up on campus....for example if I personally secure a TA position once I arrive. Thanks for any assistance!!

[zxcv]

In general, it is an awful idea to go into a PhD program without funding, although this might depend on your field. Your job prospects are not significantly improved by a PhD, so you would take on debt that you would likely struggle to pay off -- and which cannot be discharged in a bankruptcy (in the US). Keep in mind that almost everyone who will win the future faculty positions you might hope for are those who are entered a top ranked program with full funding.

Usually, schools give the best up-front funding package they can, so future funding only goes down, not up. If your program did not offer a TA position, one is unlikely to appear, unless you have an undergraduate major in a department for which there is a strong demand for TAs. Of course, you should ask the students and administrators in your prospective program to get the full story. If you ask for it, it may also be possible to obtain more funding.

[bhdavis1978]

In general, it is an awful idea to go into a PhD program without funding, although this might depend on your field. Your job prospects are not significantly improved by a PhD, so you would take on debt that you would likely struggle to pay off -- and which cannot be discharged in a bankruptcy (in the US). Keep in mind that almost everyone who will win the future faculty positions you might hope for are those who are entered a top ranked program with full funding.

Usually, schools give the best up-front funding package they can, so future funding only goes down, not up. If your program did not offer a TA position, one is unlikely to appear, unless you have an undergraduate major in a department for which there is a strong demand for TAs. Of course, you should ask the students and administrators in your prospective program to get the full story. If you ask for it, it may also be possible to obtain more funding.

I completely agree with zxcv. If you don't have a stipend, don't do it- it's not worth it. Not only are your job prospects not likely to be significantly improved with a PhD, they may be diminished, since you will be perceived as being over qualified. Thus, they don't want to pay you what they think a PhD is worth, and they're worried that if they hire you at what they can hire an Associates, Bachelors, or Masters for, then you'll bolt as soon as something better comes along.

It's a bitter pill to swallow, but zxcv is right- almost everyone who becomes a faculty member will be from one of the few top ranked programs, and have full funding- and even then- having full funding all the way through your PhD at a top school still doesn't guarantee a faculty job.

I love what I'm doing right now (I'm a postdoc)- I had full funding all the way through my PhD (never had to TA), I easily got a good postdoc position at another top University, and I'd say my chances at getting a faculty position are 50% at best. Despite the fact that I really enjoy what I'm doing now, I'm not sure I'd make the decision to go to graduate school again, and if I did, I'd probably go into economics instead (of population genetics). I like to tell my friends that the only good thing that came from my PhD was meeting my wife. However, ymmv.

[diamondsky07]

Hi,

My situation is like yours in terms of school and lack of funding. I am still planning on going because this is somethign I have wanted for a long time. I contacted the school and they said they are exploring other options of funding. One of the current PhD students told me of a friend who did not get funding the first year and then became a TA the next year. It depends on your school and how badly you want to go. Think about what is the most important thing to you. If you went without funding would you regret the debt later? Or, would it not bother you? Best of luck in whatever you decide.

[bhdavis1978]

If you went without funding would you regret the debt later? Or, would it not bother you?

I think that's a good question, but I don't think it's one you can answer until later, when the debt comes due.

[Phyllis Stein]

Hi,

I have been accepted into a PhD program that I want to go to. It is at a public university, so eventually, when I get in-state residence I will pay very little tuition. It is also in a small size cheap town. So I think that I am going to accept this PhD program. However, I have some doubts and I am wondering if accepting this PhD program is going to drive me deep in debt. I would like to hear stories from people who have done this. Also I am wondering if schools sometimes change their minds about funding you once you show up on campus....for example if I personally secure a TA position once I arrive. Thanks for any assistance!!

Without having read what others on this thread are saying, if it was me I would not do it. Take the next year to get more research experience, possibly take more advanced undergrad courses and do well, etc., and then reapply and get into a better program that will fund you. Otherwise, think about some other career options. It is not worth it to go into serious debt to get a PhD, only to be faced with the real possibility that you will not be able to get a job afterward. If you are confident that you are a good student and PhD material and want a career in academia, then take your time, put in more effort into making yourself a more competitive applicant, and get the funding you deserve! Good luck!

[Firled]

Hi,

I have been accepted into a PhD program that I want to go to. It is at a public university, so eventually, when I get in-state residence I will pay very little tuition. It is also in a small size cheap town. So I think that I am going to accept this PhD program. However, I have some doubts and I am wondering if accepting this PhD program is going to drive me deep in debt. I would like to hear stories from people who have done this. Also I am wondering if schools sometimes change their minds about funding you once you show up on campus....for example if I personally secure a TA position once I arrive. Thanks for any assistance!!

I disagree with the posters but I do agree that you don't want to get into debt for a Ph.D. It depends on the institution and on your work experience. If there are TA-ships outside of your academic department that you can apply for, then you may be able to fund yourself this way. My Ph.D. program does not provide guaranteed funding and I find outside funding by going outside my academic department.

[aginath]

This situation depends entirely on the discipline and school. I agree with Firled. I was accepted to three programs last year and none of them could guarantee funding due to the economic climate hitting schools. One immediately started bombarding me with applications for assistantships outside the department (before I even accepted or declined the admissions offer). The other two said they would be glad to help me find something after accepting the offer. The school I chose had been hit by significant budget cuts thanks to a major reduction in state funding and was having a hard time continuing to support already admitted students. Knowing the risk, I took the leap. I spent countless hours scouring the university website looking for leads and investigating outside financial aid sources. I even stumbled onto a little known out of state tuition waiver that might apply to me. I arrived in town at the end of July. My advisor screened all sorts of possibilities and gave me a few leads to work on independently. I applied for the waiver and it was granted, decreasing the burden significantly! By the week before classes started, my advisor got a call for applicants for an assistantship with the Graduate School itself. I interviewed and had an offer shortly after classes started and began work Sept 1; it's valid for 21 months with reduced tuition and a monthly stipend, supporting me right up to the point of starting my dissertation. It is risky, but it can be done.