negotiating with Harvard?

[lotuspetal7]

I've been accepted to a master's program at Harvard with full tuition but only a 5K stipend. I've also gotten into another school (UW) with a TAship that would mean I wouldn't have to worry about money at all.

Should I try to negotiate with Harvard? I guess I will have to talk to them anyway about how to cover the remaining approximately $20,000 a year of living expenses. While I'm at it, should I mention that I have a better financial offer at another school and see if there's anything they can do? In a way I feel foolishly ungrateful to ask for more when they're already giving me more than tuition. But the idea of taking out a total of $40,000 of loans just for a master's program is daunting enough that I'm a bit on the fence, though leaning toward going to Harvard anyway.

If I try to negotiate...any advice on what to say? Also, do I call financial aid first, or my program?

[NeuroGal]

My guess is (and this is just a guess) that Harvard is not in a position to want to negotiate. Given it's reputation, I'd imagine there is a line of people behind you who are more than willing to take out the loans necessary to pay for full tuition and/or living expenses. Unless you bring something to the table that they have to have, I doubt that there is much wiggle room on that front. Schools negotiate because they want you, in particular, to go there. It sounds like they want you but they may not have to have you in the same way that UW does.

Edited March 19, 2012 by NeuroGal

[Busti Bustamante]

You might want to negotiate a tad bit, but remember these are the people within your program whom you will study under, work with, and need help from... wouldn't want to burn any bridges.

[ImGrumpy]

If you approach it as genuine concern and not demand, you should be okay at least seeing if there is anything possible that they can offer. Won't hurt to tell them that you truly do want Harvard but that you have another offer that would pay all tuition costs and is offering a TA that will be enough to cover all your expenses so you have to weigh your options. In the discussion, you might ask if there are any additional funding opportunities that might be available for the second year.

I'd start with the program. As long as you aren't demanding and making ultimatums but just persuing your options, you shouldn't create any problems for yourself if you do decide on Harvard.

Edited March 19, 2012 by ImGrumpy

[lotuspetal7]

Thanks so much for the advice everyone! I'll ask nicely and maybe focus more on finding out what 2nd year options may be available. I really appreciate all your thoughts!

[Busti Bustamante]

If you approach it as genuine concern and not demand, you should be okay at least seeing if there is anything possible that they can offer. Won't hurt to tell them that you truly do want Harvard but that you have another offer that would pay all tuition costs and is offering a TA that will be enough to cover all your expenses so you have to weigh your options. In the discussion, you might ask if there are any additional funding opportunities that might be available for the second year.

I'd start with the program. As long as you aren't demanding and making ultimatums but just persuing your options, you shouldn't create any problems for yourself if you do decide on Harvard.

Exactly.

[Tsujiru]

Hi Lotuspetal7,

First off, I absolutely LOVED the Japanese department at Harvard and I hope that you will have as amazing an experience if you attend. The opportunity to take a class like Translating Modern Japanese Literature with Jay Rubin (one of Haruki Murakami's translators) was unforgettable

That being said, it never hurts to ask questions about funding. A lot of the East Asian Studies masters students I met at Harvard had been offered fellowships that just covered HALF of the cost of tuition, but I feel that if they had asked that the department could have come up with the other half.

I don't know how much time you've gotten to spend in Japan recently, but if you are interested in being there more I remember that students admitted to the master's program were eligible for a full scholarship to attend the Inter-University Center in Yokohama (http://www.stanford.edu/dept/IUC/). They were always looking for students to go, but many of the masters students didn't want to go after their first year and miss out on graduating with their class. Anyway, if it is something you might be interested in it might be worth asking about

[lotuspetal7]

thanks so much tsujiru! The opportunity to go to IUC does sound great. (I just got home half a year ago from four years in Japan, but I miss it terribly and want to get back as soon as I can!...and I was living near Yokohama so I'd love to go back there and hang out with my old buddies.)

The upshot is that I asked all around very nicely, and they answered really nicely, reiterating that they really wanted me to come and that the professor I want to work with really wants to work with me, and have been very helpful with discussing all other types of funding options. but they say they have no more money and have little hope there will be more next year either. Work-study at Harvard seems to be plentiful and pay decently though, so maybe I should go for it...still a hard decision but kind of leaning that way...glowing reports like yours do sway me in that direction!