I got invited for an open house visit....does it mean my chance to get funding is higher?

[Chukwu Chucks]

"Congratulations! You have been accepted to the School of Civil and Construction Engineering at <AN AMERICAN UNIVERSITY>. We are excited to have you join our School. This letter is to inform you that you are being considered for financial support from the School of CCE. This letter is to inform you that you are being considered for financial support from the School of CCE."

This is a quote from the mail they sent me....is this right? or merely saying to encourage me to visit? in order to make some "promotional" move?

What are you guys thought?

[TakeruK]

From what you've written, it doesn't sound like they are inviting you to visit at all (but of course you can probably still arrange to visit them on your own time and money).

In my field, a standard acceptance letter contains funding information -- i.e. how much money, for how long, what are the TA/RA requirements and whether or not this money comes in part from an award or fellowship. Sometimes the letter will say that X dollars is the minimum guaranteed stipend but the student is being considered for additional funds.

If I got a letter like the above, I would interpet this as "accepted without guaranteed funding". I think everyone accepted would have relived the same letter (unless they already have funding). I think the phrase "you are being considered for financial support..." could mean anywhere between 0% and 100% chance of actually getting the funding.

So, the letter means, yay you got in (congrats!) but you will have to wait and see to find out about funding information.

[ANDS!]

Something tells me he copied and pasted wrong. I doubt AN AMERICAN UNIVERSITY would send out such a poorly formatted email.

[Chukwu Chucks]

From what you've written, it doesn't sound like they are inviting you to visit at all (but of course you can probably still arrange to visit them on your own time and money).

In my field, a standard acceptance letter contains funding information -- i.e. how much money, for how long, what are the TA/RA requirements and whether or not this money comes in part from an award or fellowship. Sometimes the letter will say that X dollars is the minimum guaranteed stipend but the student is being considered for additional funds.

If I got a letter like the above, I would interpet this as "accepted without guaranteed funding". I think everyone accepted would have relived the same letter (unless they already have funding). I think the phrase "you are being considered for financial support..." could mean anywhere between 0% and 100% chance of actually getting the funding.

So, the letter means, yay you got in (congrats!) but you will have to wait and see to find out about funding information.

....my bad....forgot to include the rest of the email...my bad srsly

"

We would like to invite you to attend our Graduate Open House arriving in <a town in Oregon> on Thursday, March 1 through Saturday, March 3. This is will provide you with an opportunity to meet with the faculty, to identify potential research, and compete for a research or teaching assistantship. In addition, you will interact with current graduate students.

The School will provide airfare, and arrangements for hotel lodging (up to two nights) at the Holiday Inn in <a town in Oregon> and transportation by a Shuttle Service to and from the airport. Several meals will also be provided, as there will be both a luncheon and a special dinner reception on Friday, March 2. The Holiday Inn provides a continental breakfast. "

What u guys think?

Edited May 27, 2012 by romeo2die

[ANDS!]

I would think your chances for funding are better than those who were not invited to the Open House; but it is certainly not a garauntee. It's unfortunate that PhD candidates have to "compete" for funding posts, but that is the unfortunate reality. Was this the only acceptance you received?

[Sigaba]

....my bad....forgot to include the rest of the email...my bad srsly

"

We would like to invite you to attend our Graduate Open House arriving in <a town in Oregon> on Thursday, March 1 through Saturday, March 3. This is will provide you with an opportunity to meet with the faculty, to identify potential research, and compete for a research or teaching assistantship. In addition, you will interact with current graduate students.

The School will provide airfare, and arrangements for hotel lodging (up to two nights) at the Holiday Inn in <a town in Oregon> and transportation by a Shuttle Service to and from the airport. Several meals will also be provided, as there will be both a luncheon and a special dinner reception on Friday, March 2. The Holiday Inn provides a continental breakfast. "

What [do you] guys think?

I think that if you can make this event as scheduled, you don't need funding. You just have to implement Marty McFly's plan, hop into your DeLorean and pick winning lottery ticket after winning ticket.

However, if there's a second cut and paste issue involved here, I think TakerUK has given you useful guidance. If you do go to this open house and they've not announced decisions about funding, consider the entire visit as a period in which you're being evaluated by faculty members, administrators, and, possibly, even experienced graduate students.

[Chukwu Chucks]

I think that if you can make this event as scheduled, you don't need funding. You just have to implement Marty McFly's plan, hop into your DeLorean and pick winning lottery ticket after winning ticket.

However, if there's a second cut and paste issue involved here, I think TakerUK has given you useful guidance. If you do go to this open house and they've not announced decisions about funding, consider the entire visit as a period in which you're being evaluated by faculty members, administrators, and, possibly, even experienced graduate students.

Oh ya, I got this mail like 2 months ago, and yes, I DID attend it.....My level of anxiety has forced me to put this email here, wishing to get some clues. Well, I've cleared some fogs so far

[Chukwu Chucks]

I would think your chances for funding are better than those who were not invited to the Open House; but it is certainly not a garauntee. It's unfortunate that PhD candidates have to "compete" for funding posts, but that is the unfortunate reality. Was this the only acceptance you received?

Yes, this is the only acceptance they gave....no sealed official letter. The thing is that they spend quite amount of money for me (nice hotel, food, transport,etc).....hopefully I'll also win the "jackpot"