Help!! How to Accept??

[Inka dreams]

Its a rather peculiar problem I have. I have been admitted to a masters program in an Ivy league school, basically the best in my field, but with no funding. I have been asked to accept the offer by April 15 and to pay a nominal deposit by April 22nd to confirm my place.

 

Now quite simply, I cant afford the school. But during conversations with the programs contact, she informed me that TAs/RAs are indeed available but they are usually given to students at least a semester old. But that said, some of the students got a TA/RA offer even before they joined by contacting profs.

 

She also mentioned that a few profs are looking for TAs currently and that the list will be available for me to see, IF I accept the admission offer.

 

Now off course I think I can simply click "Accept" and get to see the list and contact the profs for the TA/RA. But if I do so and still am not able to get any TA/RA and hence will not attend, does that mean I wasted someone's chance in the waitlist?

 

Or should I accept ONLY if I have full funding available? Personally I think I need to take the chance and ask for TA/RA through submitting my acceptance but I don't want to f*** it up for someone just cuz im selfish.

 

Help me make a choice please...

 

 

 

 

 

 

[PhDerp]

By the April 15th rule, you can accept now and rescind it later. It sounds like you may be notified of funding soon after you accept. As long as it happens before April 15th, you're good!

 

I told someone else about this earlier, so here's a link to my earlier response (which includes a source):

 

 

Congratulations, by the way, and good luck! I hope you get that assistance-ship.

[Inka dreams]

By the April 15th rule, you can accept now and rescind it later. It sounds like you may be notified of funding soon after you accept. As long as it happens before April 15th, you're good!

 

I told someone else about this earlier, so here's a link to my earlier response (which includes a source):

 

 

Congratulations, by the way, and good luck! I hope you get that assistance-ship.

Thank you! Now I am much clearer in the head.... I was so confused as to what to do... I think I will accept for now and try to grab one of those TA/RA offers. If not I will rescind by April 15 and let someone deserving take my place. 

 

Though I sincerely hope they offer me something... This is like the best school in the world for my field... I'd be heartbroken not to attend there

[Don't Panic]

but I don't want to f*** it up for someone just cuz im selfish.

 

I just wanted to say 'Thank You' for being a considerate person in this cut-throat, selfish world. 

[smpalesh]

What about student loans?  That's how I am having to pay for my Master's degree.

[Inka dreams]

What about student loans?  That's how I am having to pay for my Master's degree.

I am an international student. I am not able to get loans without a co-signer. I do of course have cousins with Green cards and such, but I'd rather ask a friend to co-sign than ask relatives...

 

So far, my search has come to a nought and well my dreams of attending Cornell is receding... but well if not this year, I'd come back with a much better score next year for a fellowship...