Good School with Partial $ vs Safety School with full $

[Grad Panic]

I am deciding between three schools...

One is at a safety school with full funding. Not exactly jumping for joy at attending this particular school, but grateful nonetheless.

Second school: A top 20 research one school with partial funding. They are flying me for a visit, so the jury's still out on this school.

Reach/ top school: One of the best Liberal Arts schools (step below an Ivy, but great) with partial funding.

Oh, and I was offered an admit to UPenn, but 0 funding. They must either think I'm independently wealthy, are trying to take me for a ride or think I'm on crack.

Any advice?

[Switzerland]

I am deciding between three schools...

One is at a safety school with full funding. Not exactly jumping for joy at attending this particular school, but grateful nonetheless.

Second school: A top 20 research one school with partial funding. They are flying me for a visit, so the jury's still out on this school.

Reach/ top school: One of the best Liberal Arts schools (step below an Ivy, but great) with partial funding.

Oh, and I was offered an admit to UPenn, but 0 funding. They must either think I'm independently wealthy, are trying to take me for a ride or think I'm on crack.

Any advice?

First of all, congratulations! I am in precisely the same boat you are in...and I just don't know. I waver back and forth. Ultimately, I believe I will go with the full funding as I am also in the humanities/social sciences, and it seems very foolish to rack up debt in such an uncertain economy. However, I am not planning on pursuing the phd ( I may, but it's not a decision I've made at the moment), so reputation seem to be less important than the degree and internship/experience. I will be graduating with two masters however, and the opportunity to graduate debt free doesn't seem to come twice in a lifetime!

I would also say that the fit between you and the schools, as well as the reputation and accessibility of the professors are at LEAST as important as the general reputation.

Have you spoken with any current or former students? What was their experience like?

Best of luck to you as you make this choice!

[a fragrant plant]

Are you going to do a MA with an intention to apply to the PhD programs later? If so I'd choose the school with full funding. There is no point to get into debt for a master's degree especially when your ultimate goal is a PhD.

[shakespearebro]

How big is the difference in funding between the reach and the middle option?