Masters TAships? RAships? Tuition Waiver

[mdhutson]

Hey everyone,

I just got back my first admit for the Brown Masters in Public Policy, and they've offered me a financial package (but i don't know how much it is yet).

What can I expect for a financial package in a Masters program?

And more importantly, hiw possible is to get TAships and RAships that waive the tuiton fees as a Masters student? And can we get these for the first semester, or do we have to get there and then impress faculty in order to get one for second semester? I really don't think the financial pakage will cover the whole costs so I am searching for ways to fund myself.

Any comments would be well appreciated!!!

Thanks,

Michael

[Gunner24]

Michael,

I can't speak specifically to your field, but in general it is very possible to get solid financial packages and TA/RA jobs as a Master's student. Most universities I looked at in my application process had funding available for MAs, not just PhDs. For example I am an MA applicant, and to one of the schools at which I was accepted (a related field) I was offered a TAship w/ stipend and tuition waiver (including OOS). To another school from which I haven't heard back, I know they offer full funding to all of their accepted MA students. As a Master's student, you don't necessarily have to "prove" that you are worth funding...you may have excellent credentials and aligned research interests right out of undergrad that show your promise as a graduate student...you aren't somehow useless until the day you become a PhD student

Good luck, man.

Edited March 4, 2011 by Gunner24

[mdhutson]

Hey, thanks for the info; that's extremely helpful to know!!

When you say you were 'offered' a TA-ship, did you chase one up or did they just offer you one in the original admission email; i didn't have any reference about a TA-ship in my original email, so I am trying to find out ways to chase up a position.

Michael

Michael,

I can't speak specifically to your field, but in general it is very possible to get solid financial packages and TA/RA jobs as a Master's student. Most universities I looked at in my application process had funding available for MAs, not just PhDs. For example I am an MA applicant, and to one of the schools at which I was accepted (a related field) I was offered a TAship w/ stipend and tuition waiver (including OOS). To another school from which I haven't heard back, I know they offer full funding to all of their accepted MA students. As a Master's student, you don't necessarily have to "prove" that you are worth funding...you may have excellent credentials and aligned research interests right out of undergrad that show your promise as a graduate student...you aren't somehow useless until the day you become a PhD student

Good luck, man.

[Gunner24]

The school offered me the funding about a week later. It was unsolicited. The department automatically considered all applicants (MA & PhD) for funding; there was no separate application. My acceptance email said that funding offers would follow shortly after offer of admission.

Did your original email say when they would be sending out funding offers? Usually, if the funding offer doesn't come with the offer of admission, they will either say "no funding for you" or tell you when funding decisions would be made. If you haven't heard either way, I'd politely ask the grad coord./DGS/__________ when they expect to make funding decisions.

Edited March 4, 2011 by Gunner24

[Gunner24]

I see. Yeah, that's not the best funding offer...I don't think your chances are great of getting a TAship at this point, as they were likely offered to other admitted applicants. But you never know- perhaps you can put in your ear that you would be seriously interested in a position, and then maybe if someone else declines a TAship, they'll think of you. Perhaps someone else has some first-hand experience with a scenario like yours.

[UrbanWonk]

Similar situation, also got $ from Brown for MPP...my award notice didn't mention TAships or RAships, so I was thinking of contacting the department as well once I heard from other schools and had more bargaining ground. Does anyone know how to solicit TAships/RAships as an incoming grad student? Is that in bad form?