Need Advice about Michigan State/ anyone declining their offer?

[BunnyWantsaPhD]

I've been accepted to MSU, but with no guarantee of funding. I think some of the applicants were funded and others weren't. Not sure what I should do...I really don't want to do another round of applications. I'm just wondering if anyone who has been offered funding is going to turn it down....anyone want to claim to be that person? 

 

What do you guys think? Should I reapply? Should I defer for a year? Should I do one year unfunded and hope for funding in the future? Help!

[Porridge]

Your questions should be directed to the department.

 

1. Is there a funding waitlist and is that waitlist ranked?

2. Is funding available and guaranteed for the second year if one is declined funding in the first?

3. Are there any additional cross-university competitive funding opportunities?

[BunnyWantsaPhD]

Thanks. Of course I am also contacting the department, but I didn't know if anyone else had any thoughts on the matter. I've heard from many that an unfunded offer is a joke, and I shouldn't even consider it. On the other hand, if it only turns out to be one year, I think it might not be that bad. Part of the issue is that I'm also not sure that MSU is the best school and this is only making me think that further. There's no guarantee with reapplying that I'd get into anywhere else though. Man, this application process is so soul-crushing. 

[ComeBackZinc]

Unless you have a guarantee of funding, absolutely do not go. 

[thatjewishgirl]

I've been accepted to MSU, but with no guarantee of funding. I think some of the applicants were funded and others weren't. Not sure what I should do...I really don't want to do another round of applications. I'm just wondering if anyone who has been offered funding is going to turn it down....anyone want to claim to be that person? 

 

What do you guys think? Should I reapply? Should I defer for a year? Should I do one year unfunded and hope for funding in the future? Help!

 

My husband was also accepted to MSU. He received an email the other day specifying that not one single incoming student will receive funding this year. Hope this helps! Maybe you could defer and see what their funding situation is next year and apply again to other programs, as well?

[BunnyWantsaPhD]

My husband was also accepted to MSU. He received an email the other day specifying that not one single incoming student will receive funding this year. Hope this helps! Maybe you could defer and see what their funding situation is next year and apply again to other programs, as well?

 

Interesting that that's what your husband heard. I talked to the secretary and she said that some PhD applicants were offered funding and that if someone declines then there's a list they would look at to see who's next in line to get some... I wonder what the deal is with the conflicting information. 

 

So what is your husband planning on doing?

[BunnyWantsaPhD]

Unless you have a guarantee of funding, absolutely do not go. 

 

Gah, I know, that's what I'm thinking... I'm still hoping something will work out. 

[thatjewishgirl]

Oh, perhaps he misread the email! He declined, in any case. I agree with everyone else on here, I wouldn't take it without funding. 

[BunnyWantsaPhD]

Oh, perhaps he misread the email! He declined, in any case. I agree with everyone else on here, I wouldn't take it without funding. 

 

I wonder what his email said. Mine said that no funding could be offered "at this time."

[blakeblake]

You can wait until mid-April to make a decision.  Here are a few things that you can do: 1) Wait to accept or decline and hope that funding will materizalize before you have to decide, 2) Look into GAships, scholarships, and other sources of funding that universities sometimes make available to grad students without funding from their particular departments, and 3) Be very wary of accepting an offer for which you will not get funding from any part of the university (or outside fellowships).  Depending on the cost of attendance at an institution and your current student debt rate, you could consider going into an MA program without funding.  If you were accepted into a PhD program, however, then I would not under any circumstances advise going without funding.