Got admission letter 3 weeks before the program deadline, and just one week after completing my application.

[mathmonk]

How is this possible? Moreover, the admission letter asks me to submit a form to certify funds in the amount of $41,100  for visa purpose, without mentioning anything about the funding possibilities. Initially, I was very happy to receive an admission letter from one of my top choices, but now I think without funding it's same as rejection.

[PsyDuck90]

This sounds very bizarre. I would call the school. It's not uncommon for programs to ask for like a $200 deposit, but that just sounds absurd.

Edited January 12, 2019 by Hk328

[mathmonk]

2 minutes ago, Hk328 said:

This sounds very bizarre. I would call the school. It's not uncommon for programs to ask for like a $200 deposit, but that just sounds absurd.

Yes, I will contact them soon.

The way I came to know about my admission letter was as follows: I received a system generated email from their graduate school stating that the admission status has been updated in the application portal, then in the application portal I found my admission letter which wasn't signed by any specific person. In the letter, I am asked to submit the proof of funds either directly to graduate school or upload it in the portal. This confused me even more since nobody from the university has directly contacted me so far.

Moreover, the admission for the specific program I applied was not supposed to be on a rolling basis, it even has two separate deadlines depending on whether or not you are interested in receiving funding. Even though I applied before the funding deadline, there is no mention of funding in the letter, and the letter is signed by "The Graduate School, XYZ University".

[PokePsych]

This sounds like a scam.. Def notify the school

[Maylee]

Definitely contact, but it may be the case that the school does two admissions phases and didn't communicate that well. Sometimes you're admitted as a graduate student or admissible in the graduate college, but there is a separate phase for the program. You certainly have every right to call the office.

[mathmonk]

20 hours ago, MayliC said:

Definitely contact, but it may be the case that the school does two admissions phases and didn't communicate that well. Sometimes you're admitted as a graduate student or admissible in the graduate college, but there is a separate phase for the program. You certainly have every right to call the office.

I sent an email a couple of days ago. Haven't got any reply yet.

I was wondering whether the funding decision will be affected by the ongoing Government Shutdown (there are various news reports stating the "Delays in research grant funding could also mean some faculty members hesitate to take on new graduate students.").

[PsyDuck90]

Even if funding is delayed, the school is still functioning. They should be able to reply to you. Can you call the admissions office? I know that's less feasible if you're applying as an international student. 

[mathmonk]

2 hours ago, Hk328 said:

Even if funding is delayed, the school is still functioning. They should be able to reply to you. Can you call the admissions office? I know that's less feasible if you're applying as an international student. 

Yes, I didn't expect such delay in reply from a top 100 national ranking university. I believe that Graduate Schools hire staff to take care of emails.

Since there is 11hrs time-zone difference, I would like to avoid calling (also it will be very costly!). If I don't get a reply today, will send a reminder tomorrow. If I can't get any reply by next week, then I will have to call.

[PsyDuck90]

That sounds like a good plan. They may be flooded with emails so it's sometimes hard to get yours to the top. If you have a specific POI, you may try emailing them as well if you really can't get anyone. 

[mathmonk]

After writing two emails and waiting for one week I got a one-line reply stating that funding decisions will be taken in March. There is no mention of the deadline (when in March?) or the monetary value (how much will they pay?) of the funding possibilities.

What is the point of sending admission letters so early when they themselves have no idea about providing funding? Obviously, people won't pay for the whole Ph.D. from their pocket.

Since there is no deadline for me to submit proof of funds or accept/reject admission offer, what is the point of sending early admission letters? I will be grateful if someone can explain the intention behind such admission techniques (not reading everybody's application before sending the admission letter, and not including information about funding in the admission letter).