Funding at MIT

[jdoe192]

Hey guys, 

Im wondering if anybody knows anything about funding at the CS program (area 2, CSAIL if we're being specific) at MIT. I got into the program; their acceptance letter vaguely said something about guaranteeing funding in the first year but then it's almost up to the student to find funding. They also say that no student has ever had to drop out because of lack of funding. After talking to someone (someone big) over at MIT, she said that in her long stay at MIT she's only known one student that had problems with funding. She did say that I would be taking a risk and that funding is not guaranteed. The problem is; I have another offer (from a very VERY prestigious school; not going to mention what it is. I am this paranoid about my identity!) which doesn't fit my research interests as nicely as CSAIL does (but they do REALLY exciting things too) yet they flat out tell me in the acceptance letter that im guaranteed funding for my first 4 years (unofficial conversations with faculty indicate that I'm actually guaranteed funding for all 5 years) 

 

Advice on how to proceed?

 

[thissiteispoison]

I'm not positive, but I know a lot of schools say that funding isn't guaranteed after x years as some sort of legal protection to themselves, when really at most of the top schools you should be fine for the entirety of your Ph.D.

[controlc]

Nope, no word on detailed funding information yet for me either. And yes, I too received the exact same email as well outlining the fact that no one had to drop out of MIT due to funding, etc.

 

I can't give you any advice on which school to pick since the information you provided is very limited. But in light of last year's events and from posters here, MIT should relay funding info around late February/early March i.e. perhaps next week so you can probably make your decision then.