How do I ask for more money? Should I?

[MacZeeZee]

Got an offer of acceptance from a great school, with a fellowship (no teaching responsibility). Is it appropriate to ask for additional money? A few things to consider:

 

1. I was accepted off of the wait list. 

2. This is the standard offer made to ALL incoming folks.

3. They accept 3 people every year (and have only been in existence for 5 years). 

4. I can live off of what they offered me, although it REALLY isn't very much for living in NYC.

 

I'm tempted to say that I should just leave well enough alone. It is a fair fellowship, and I'm probably not in a great position to ask for anything, haha. But I've been working in the industry for so long, I can't imagine NOT trying to negotiate a starting salary. It's just a habit!  But I guess I have to get used to not being out in the workforce anymore 

 

If I SHOULD ask for more money, then how would one do that? How likely is it to actually happen?

[ak48]

I had a similar question to my situation:

 

There's a part of me that says "it can't hurt to ask politely. It's not like they will rescind/lower their offer because you asked."

 

But there's a part of me that can't bring myself to do it as well haha. Especially since their offer seems more than fair to me.

[budgie]

If you were also accepted to other programs with more generous stipends, you can ask if the institution you're interested is willing to match the stipend offered to you from another university. 

Remember, they picked you to come to their school. They want you to accept and are often willing to fight for you =]