Negotiations...as well

[IRdreams]

So I've been admitted at two schools with good funding (Fellowships/Stipend Remissions/And 4+summers covered) packages and I've been waitlisted for funding but admitted to a third school. I know people are sometimes able to negotiate their packages up, though in these financial times this may be more difficult than normal. How does this work? Who does one talk to? Who are ones allies? How do you do it in a way that is appropriate?

[lotf629]

I have been advised to "be sure to mention" that school X has offered better funding than school Y. I think maybe the idea is that you drop it in conversation, or when asked what other schools you're considering: "Oh, I love your program but I also love Y program and their funding offer is very attractive..." Then you can see what ensues. The key to negotiating successfully, IMHO, is to have other actual options and just be open about them. So maybe the beginning is just having some open conversations as you visit these campuses...However, it seems that sometimes the more competitive schools are less likely to improve their offers. It's been true in my case (I've been told by my advisors that X super-competitive school is unlikely to improve their funding offer even if I mention my better offers, but Y less-competitive school may step up). Dunno if this is true in general, though.