Have no clue about assistantships

[nohika]

So I received my first funding offer today - and it's a 25% assistantship with a 9-month stipend that's not really liveable (about $740 a month or so). 50% off resident tuition, etc. I'm not super enthusiastic, but I could (in theory) make it work month to month with some small loans and an outside job, potentially work study.

 

My bigger question - once you're admitted and have done well for a year, do they normally offer you a bigger assistantship? I don't really know how that works. I know the 25% was guaranteed, and they aren't giving out final assignments until they know how many students in the cohort, etc - but is it possible the 25% could go up, or since it's guaranteed, it won't change?

 

I don't really know much about this at all. A bit disappointed, but I think I'd be allright if I absolutely had to be with it.

[iowaguy]

Is this for M.S. or Ph.D.?

[Bearcat1]

If you have other offers but really want to go to this program, you can play them against each other (like you would a job) and tell them program X offered you Y and see if they can match it, or at least come up. I know it's unethical for them to pull anything they've already offered, so asking never hurts. And a little later, when there's a possibility other admits have declined, there very well may be additional funding available. 

[nohika]

It's a combined MS/PhD. I'm still waiting on three other schools, but this program is pretty much my top choice of the ones I applied to - however, funding will likely win (if I end up lucky enough to have multiple acceptances).

 

Thanks. That answers quite a few of my questions.

[mbs191]

Well, first of all you have until 4/15 to make a decision, but you'll probably want to do it before then (and so will the school that made you the offer).

 

If I were you, I'd thank the school very much, and just verify that it would be 25% for the 'x' amount of years for your MS/PhD.  At that point, you can let them know (although they'll already know) that its January, and you put a lot of work into your applications and need to decide what is the best opportunity for you academically, which includes the financial situation of things.  

 

I kind of had a similar experience, and I told them I'd let them know in a few weeks.  I bought myself some more time by actually taking the train and visiting the school (if you have the opportunity) and meeting the professors, etc.  When they wanted a decision in March (because otherwise, they were going to offer it to someone else), I emailed the 2 schools (I had professors I had met with to check out those programs and had their emails) I was still waiting to hear from, letting them know that I had to make a decision in the very, very near future, and if there was anyway they could let me know if I was in or not, it would make things much easier.  When they responded, it made everything much more clear.

 

So, in total, yea, maybe the offer isn't amazing, but if you're in a combined program and its the best one out there after you hear back from others, it may be worth taking.  Hope that is helpful.....

[iowaguy]

I personally would not do a PhD unless it was fully-funded.  If that ends up being your final offer I would decline it & reapply to your top schools again next year.  25% assistantship means you will either be taking out loans (more cash flow stress when you graduate) or that you will have to find employment on the side (which means your PhD will probably take longer to complete since less time for research, more opportunity cost & stress that way).  Once you hear back from other schools (if you don't get a better offer) you could just shoot them straight that you need a fully-funded assistantship or else it doesn't pencil out for you...

[nohika]

It's just the 25% for the first year. Sounds like it might be common for social sciences to offer more funding the second year, from a couple of the PhD students I've talked to. I still have two more schools to wait on, so I'm (hopefully) not going to have to worry about it, but we'll see. They're flying us out (500$ worth of travel support) in Feb for a welcome weekend and I'll know more then (and I'll wait to make any type of decision until then too).

 

Thanks, guys.