UCLA funding

[tryffelgris]

*

[waitinginohio]

Given CA's financial situation, and that you'll be getting more money for years 2 and 3, it seems like a pretty decent package. Maybe once you know you have more funding from another program you could mention that to UCLA and see if they take the hint, but I wouldn't just write back asking for more money.

[tryffelgris]

The $23,229 per year stipend from U of Maryland (just posted on results) makes me feel like maybe they just don't want me very much...

[ewurgler]

15k is about average for a public university. Don't feel bad--they still want you.

[migrationdude]

Ewurgler, didn't UNC also offer $15k? I mean, it's much easier to get by on that money in Chapel Hill than it is in LA. UCLA sounds ridiculous IMHO -- I guess they pretty much expect you to take loans. Also, if you're an international student, they might end up CHARGING you non-resident tuition. For some reason I don't get all the anti-foreigner discrimination thing when it comes to PhDs.

[Tritonetelephone]

Yeah, I don't think that's bad at all, especially for a UC school. Maryland's stipend seems outrageously high for sociology, IMO, so I wouldn't use it as a comparison. Don't take that healthcare for granted as part of the package, either!

That being said, without knowing the cost of living in LA, be sure to do your research about how much you'll need to sustain yourself while you're there before accepting!

[tryffelgris]

Hmmm...I just saw that UC Berkeley is giving $25,000 stipends for Poli Sci. So much for the budget excuse?

Not that I'm going into Sociology for the money (ha), but that's a huge difference. $15,000 in LA means you have to choose between rent (very high in fancy Westwood, where UCLA is) or food.

Has any one else received a funding offer for UCLA?

[ewurgler]

Yeah, UNC was 15k.

Yes, LA is pricey, but I wouldn't say they are dissing you. My guess is that instead of dramatically reducing their cohort size, they decided to take a few thousand a year off of the funding package.

[scsuh]

  tryffelgris said:

Hello all,

I just got a funding letter from UCLA. I think it's a bit disappointing.

First year: $15,000 fellowship + fees/health care/etc

2nd year: TAship 50% at 16,637

3rd year: TAship 50% at 18, 569

What about year 4? Also, $15,000 seems very low, considering what they say in their own FAQs:

"How much financial support is usually given to incoming students? Award offers have typically been for five years at varying levels of support that include one or two years of fellowship (stipend, fees, and non-resident tuition for the first year if needed) and three or four years of assistantships. The level of support has ranged from $16,000-20,000 (2007-08)."

I recognize that this might be budget crisis related. Anyone else heard?

What would you recommend I do? UCLA is my first choice (I'm done with the cold East). Should I wait to see if I get another offer (not super hopeful about that) so I can negotiate better? Write them a letter now or closer to April 15 to see if there's any wiggle room?

Thanks for any help

Also, you may want to take into account the high cost of living in Westwood and its vicinity. A studio apartment can cost well north of $1,000 a month. Also keep in mind that SoCal probably has the highest avg. gas prices in the US along with mediocre public transit (although the Downtown LA public transit is not too bad). $15,000 certainly isn't a small amount of money, but you'll be surprised at how quickly that could disappear, especially in a town like LA. You should definitely try negotiating, especially if you get a better offer from another program.