Negotiations

[immersion]

Hi Folks,

Does anyone have any advice/stories about negotiating for more money. Let us hear them!

[lovewillcather]

Hmm.. well I would always try to call EVERY SINGLE PERSON AT ALL RESPONSIBLE FOR SETTING YOUR AWARD AMOUNT.

So maybe this is obvious to other people and I am asking a silly question here, but why would you talk to every person responsible for setting your reward amount? Wouldn't the DGS know what the program could offer?

[engguy]

Hmm.. well I would always try to call EVERY SINGLE PERSON AT ALL RESPONSIBLE FOR SETTING YOUR AWARD AMOUNT.

This is either a joke or very bad advice. Don't do this. For one thing, yes, as the previous poster mentioned, there's ultimately only one person responsible for your stipend amount. Of course, there may be a professor advocating on your behalf, but really it's up to the DGS -- who is likely a professor him- or herself, working in a very thankless job in addition to teaching duties, acting as a lightning rod between the stressed budget of the school and the will of the higher-ups and a hundred yapping students and applicants. You don't want to annoy this person by appearing to go behind his or her back and bugging everyone on staff.

As has been mentioned on similar threads, your best ally right now is time. Sit tight, see what other offers come in, and as it gets closer to apr 15 there may be some movement. Some DGS will get in touch with you to find out what other offers you have and see what they can come up with to match that. If you initiate the conversation now, you will only appear desperate and annoying.