Formal Acceptance, Before Funding is Provided?

[Whitmanhopeful]

Hi, all, frequent reader, new poster. I was just accepted into one of the doctoral programs I applied to (yay!), but in the official acceptance letter for the department, they state a funding package can only be prepared for me once I have accepted, and that it is advisable to do so as soon as possible. I'm thrilled to be accepted and for this to be the first response I've received (8 rejections are on their way - guaranteed), but it seems strange to have to accept before funding is provided! Has anyone else encountered this same kind of situation? Perhaps I am simply reading the letter way too literally, or the wording is badly chosen?

I do not actually expect to get into any further programs (it's honestly more than I can hope for - to actually be able to CHOOSE between schools), but at the same time it feels waaaaaay too early in the process to accept, particularly without funding details. I have my MA, and cannot afford to take out any loans in the fall, ergo the funding needs to be enough to live off of in order for me to enter into the program.

Any advice? I have emailed the graduate director to ask for clarification, but am unsure how to handle this going forward. I don't want to seem ungrateful or for them to rescind their acceptance, I'm just a bit in the dark on how to proceed! Thanks for any insight.

[LJK]

I haven't dealt with a situation like this. However, I will toss my opinion out there. It's good that you emailed the graduate director for clarification. If they won't put together a formal package for you, you need to at least find out what the funding possibilities are. Is there limited funding on a first come, first serve basis? Will the funding be guaranteed after the first year? Are there some positions that pay more than others? Maybe they can't tell you whether you will have a fellowship or work as a TA but they should be able to give you an idea of whether you will be paid regularly throughout your years in the program or if it will be a constant worry. If it doesn't sound like they are going to guarantee funding, you should wait and see if you get another acceptance. I wouldn't worry about them rescinding their acceptance because you are concerned about housing and feeding yourself while in their program - with the exception of those lucky enough to be independently wealthy all of us have these concerns.

Also, conduct this conversation via email if possible so you have a record of it. If at some point the GD wants to talk on the phone about it, after the conversation put the key points into an email and have him confirm them.

[Whitmanhopeful]

Thanks for the advice. That was definitely along the lines of what I was thinking i.e. find out as much as possible, hope for more information, and other comparative offers (if I can only be so lucky!)

It seems like an odd predicament, but I'm certain this has happened to others as well. And thanks for the tip regarding email - I had not thought of ensuring I have things on record, but that makes sense just so I can track what is promised and then actually provided.

[Medievalmaniac]

Hi, all, frequent reader, new poster. I was just accepted into one of the doctoral programs I applied to (yay!), but in the official acceptance letter for the department, they state a funding package can only be prepared for me once I have accepted, and that it is advisable to do so as soon as possible. I'm thrilled to be accepted and for this to be the first response I've received (8 rejections are on their way - guaranteed), but it seems strange to have to accept before funding is provided! Has anyone else encountered this same kind of situation? Perhaps I am simply reading the letter way too literally, or the wording is badly chosen?

I do not actually expect to get into any further programs (it's honestly more than I can hope for - to actually be able to CHOOSE between schools), but at the same time it feels waaaaaay too early in the process to accept, particularly without funding details. I have my MA, and cannot afford to take out any loans in the fall, ergo the funding needs to be enough to live off of in order for me to enter into the program.

Any advice? I have emailed the graduate director to ask for clarification, but am unsure how to handle this going forward. I don't want to seem ungrateful or for them to rescind their acceptance, I'm just a bit in the dark on how to proceed! Thanks for any insight.

Definitely, either call and record the conversation, or email. You want a record of whatever is told to you. I think it is probably a case of, they have limited funding and want a good idea of what they need to come up with. This suggests that they may have accepted more than they can reasonably expect to fund expecting that some won't enroll, or if they have a long wait list and want to know what they will have to work with, or some combination of the two.

Since they mention funding, I don't think they are going to expect you to foot the bill, but I do think it is reasonable to say "You know, I'm very interested, but economy as it stands, obviously I need to have some idea as to what you can offer me. I don't necessarily need a binding offer as regards a funding package right now, but I'd like to know what's possible before I commit one way or the other". And sooner is better than later, especially if they are doling it out first-come, first-serve.