Canadian thinking of US schools... pardon my ignorance!

[emmh]

After four years of dropping my jaw when overhearing the price of US university tuition, I am tentatively looking into applying to US grad schools. My main question is finances/ funding.

My undergrad CPGA sits at 3.57 with one ridiculously low mark in a different program. My GPA last year was 3.82 and in my field (English) I sit at just over 3.7. I did well in a competitive research seminar in my department. The experience really made me confident that I will enjoy research at the graduate level.

My grand plan was to apply again to UT for my MA, shell out the "cash-cow" 7000.00 for tuition and suck up living with my parents for my MA and then hopefully find generous financial assistance wherever I find my PhD program.

1. Are terminable MAs in general unfunded for a person of my academic standing? (I have yet to battle with the GRES) Also, what percentage of tuition does "funding" in general for an average candiate cover? I like the idea of doing my MA somewhere other than Toronto, since I won't be getting any financial assistance there anyway, but I'd like it to cost under 20,000.

2. What are the chances I could get substantial funding for a PhD track program at a decent school? (I want to keep my total debt under 50,000 Cdn. Note: I am mega frugal and have managed to live on 850.00 a month before, with 725.00 rent.)

I apologize... I know these are a ridiculously broad questions but I am quite unsure of the financial side of things.

For example, UC Irvine offers a 15,000 TA ship/funding package but the website states: "Applicants should also be prepared to document at the time of application sufficient funds to cover all fees, non-resident tuition, living expenses, and transportation. Currently the required amount for single students for one year of academic study is $37,755 (this is subject to change)."

I presume this amount only covers academic fees. So that leaves you paying almost 20,000 per year in tuition alone which is totally unfeasible for me, personally.

Is this about average, or is there better funding/ cheaper tuition out there, United States of America?!

[Minnesotan]

Don't accept an unfunded or underfunded offer from a US grad school. Generally speaking, one should not pay for an advanced degree. My program (English, as well) doesn't even accept people unless they can guarantee full funding by means of fellowship, TA, or RA. Most reputable programs are the same way, with the exception of blatant cash-cow MA programs.

One piece of advice I was thankful for was to always apply for the PhD program, if there is an option. If an adcom thinks you need more work, they'll offer you an MA spot anyway. Either way, you're earlier in line for funding considerations at some programs (though this does not apply everywhere), just because you checked the PhD box. Silly, but true.

[frankdux]

Generally speaking, one should not pay for an advanced degree.

i've heard this many times before on here, but don't you think we should have a more specific mantra?

i agree that you shouldn't pay for a research oriented graduate degree, but professional degrees like teaching degrees, law degrees, medical degrees, and business degrees are much less likely to offer funding, and isn't it pretty much the norm to be in debt when finished with one of these? don't most doctors and lawyers typically have anywhere from $50,000 to $150,000 in debt when finished?

[thepoorstockinger]

English is insanely competitive and you may be better off going to a good or decent Canadian MA program rather than going to a less than decent US one. (UofT is certainly in the "good" or better category for English). UofT's lack of funding is only an issue if you can't get a SSHRC (they top up MA sshrcs with an extra $4k). I will say this: I really, really regret not applying to some good US PhD programs (I am in history) this year instead of just the Canadian MA programs I did apply to - I think I underestimated my application and would have gotten some offers from schools I would have wanted to go to. Apply widely.

Also remember: the PhD SSHRC the PhD CGS from SSHRC (aka the super SSRHC/Uber SSHRC) can be downgraded to a regular PhD SSHRC and brought across the border, so if you can get a tuition fee waiver you can potentially get some SSHRC funding to cover other fees.

i've heard this many times before on here, but don't you think we should have a more specific mantra?

i agree that you shouldn't pay for a research oriented graduate degree, but professional degrees like teaching degrees, law degrees, medical degrees, and business degrees are much less likely to offer funding, and isn't it pretty much the norm to be in debt when finished with one of these? don't most doctors and lawyers typically have anywhere from $50,000 to $150,000 in debt when finished?

None of the degrees you mention are graduate degrees. They're professional degrees. This advice is not applicable to professional degrees.

[frankdux]

None of the degrees you mention are graduate degrees. They're professional degrees. This advice is not applicable to professional degrees.

1. the originally quoted post was regarding "advanced degrees", and those certainly are advanced.

2. teaching degrees like an MST, MAT, MEd, or an MA + teaching certificate are all graduate degrees.

[kent shakespeare]

If I were you, I'd do your MA at UT, and that should make you a stronger candidate for funding south of the border.

if you do apply to a US U, apply right to the PhD program - US schools are less likely than Cdn ones to offer much of any funding for an MA, and more programs seem lined up where you get your MA on the way within the PhD stream (as the other poster said).

Unless there is such a unique program/supervisor that's caught your eye, I'm really not sure why you would want to spend the extra cash when you've got great programs close to home that are cheaper and better-funded.

[Minnesotan]

Nothing is cheap in Toronto.