Full Funding at Safety vs Partial Funding at Top Choice

[Grad Panic]

Hey All,

I'm at a crossroad right now and would welcome any input. I've had my share of acceptances as well as my rejections/ ejections/ dejection. So I'm paring my choices down. At this time I am seriously considering two schools. One is at my safety school, and they offered me full funding (assistantship, fellowship, scholarship). The other is my top choice and offers many advantages if I attend due to consortiums offered, potential connections, etc. That school offered me two scholarships and they are also requesting that I be considered for more aid. Here's where it gets even trickier... They do not offer any new MA students a TA position, and wait until at least the second semester to offer these to students. There are also several jobs I can apply for on campus. The top school also is for one year only, and selects only their MA students to be considered for the PhD program. If I am matriculated to a PhD program, then I will be considered for full funding.

I am not entirely thrilled about the safety school, but full funding is definitely enticing. However, I love my top school, and I know it offers many more opportunities for me in the future. So... there's my quandary.

Any thoughts? Opinions?

Any advice pertaining to my query would be greatly appreciated!

Edited March 26, 2010 by Grad Panic

[Jae B.]

In your case, I would probably go for your top school, since you say it really will be better for your future -- as long as that means it's going to help you pay off your debt, fast! It sounds like they are trying to help you, and there are things you can do on campus to offset your costs. A lot of schools don't like to give TA positions to first semester students, so just be on the horn to get one your second semester. Plus, this situation is just for a year.

As long as you can get funding in a PhD situation, paying a bit towards your MA at your top choice isn't so bad.

That said, I haven't seen the numbers, and am personally completely uncomfortable with any debt whatsoever. I hope the two scholarships you have make a significant dent in your first semester costs.

Maybe you will get qualified for more aid or fellowships. One of my schools qualified me for an additional fellowship after sending my initial financial aid offer. Keep after them.