Accepting early to secure funding vs. waiting for all offers

[Shoelle]

I'm in a bit of a conundrum! School A (an excellent fit for my research goals, one of my top choices) has accepted me. Unfortunately, funding is not guaranteed. To be competitive for TA-ships (which my ability to attend is contingent upon; taking out substantial debt in a humanities field like mine is not an option), the coordinator suggested I commit early....as in early March early. Like now-ish.

 

School B is also an excellent fit for me, and another top choice. They offer full funding and a few other financial benefits that School A does not. The program is very competitive, however, and I don't expect to hear back from them until mid-March at the earliest (based on a very consistent history). 

 

I definitely don't want to commit to School A only to be accepted by School B and want to change my mind! It would technically be before the April 15th deadline, but I understand the difficult position that puts a program in. The crux: do I wait it out and hope the TA-ships hold out for me (a possibility--I have a few years of teaching experience at the secondary school level that my MA cohort likely will not) or refuse the gamble?

 

School A would be more expensive overall to attend, but both programs would work really really well for me. I can't say I have a definitive preference.

 

I'm considering emailing School B to explain the situation. Perhaps if they could indicate whether I'm at least on the shortlist, I'd know what to do. Would that be an appropriate thing to ask? I don't want to be pushy, but surely they can understand that I don't want to screw over another program?

 

I'd appreciate any advice, thanks for listening! 

[rising_star]

When you say that School A would be more expensive overall, do you mean that a TA position wouldn't fully cover your tuition and living expenses? If that's the case, I would just wait on School B.

[Karoku_valentine]

I'm in a bit of a conundrum! School A (an excellent fit for my research goals, one of my top choices) has accepted me. Unfortunately, funding is not guaranteed. To be competitive for TA-ships (which my ability to attend is contingent upon; taking out substantial debt in a humanities field like mine is not an option), the coordinator suggested I commit early....as in early March early. Like now-ish.

 

School B is also an excellent fit for me, and another top choice. They offer full funding and a few other financial benefits that School A does not. The program is very competitive, however, and I don't expect to hear back from them until mid-March at the earliest (based on a very consistent history). 

 

I definitely don't want to commit to School A only to be accepted by School B and want to change my mind! It would technically be before the April 15th deadline, but I understand the difficult position that puts a program in. The crux: do I wait it out and hope the TA-ships hold out for me (a possibility--I have a few years of teaching experience at the secondary school level that my MA cohort likely will not) or refuse the gamble?

 

School A would be more expensive overall to attend, but both programs would work really really well for me. I can't say I have a definitive preference.

 

I'm considering emailing School B to explain the situation. Perhaps if they could indicate whether I'm at least on the shortlist, I'd know what to do. Would that be an appropriate thing to ask? I don't want to be pushy, but surely they can understand that I don't want to screw over another program?

 

I'd appreciate any advice, thanks for listening! 

Hi.  I was in a similar situation, in the sense that I was expecting to be admitted to school B, but I wasn't. I have a few questions:

1) In case of admission to B, how do you know they will grant your funding?

2) Are you sure A would give you funding? Because it looks more like a hook, which might or might not be grounded in reality.

[Shoelle]

When you say that School A would be more expensive overall, do you mean that a TA position wouldn't fully cover your tuition and living expenses? If that's the case, I would just wait on School B.

 

The TA-ship does not have an impressive stipend, and it's in a very expensive area. It doesn't provide scholarships to help cover my childcare expenses either. I don't expect either program's funding to fully cover living expenses, though I do have savings for that.

 

Hi.  I was in a similar situation, in the sense that I was expecting to be admitted to school B, but I wasn't. I have a few questions:

1) In case of admission to B, how do you know they will grant your funding?

2) Are you sure A would give you funding? Because it looks more like a hook, which might or might not be grounded in reality.

 

1. School B offers research assitantships to ALL candidates; they are guaranteed. I don't have information about the exact stipend. They also help cover childcare expenses, however, which is a big draw for me.

 

2. I cannot be sure A will give funding, but the program coordinator told me they were able to secure funding for "most" students last year for all four semesters of the program. There are no guarantees, which is why I feel pressured to commit early. There is also the possibility of need-based scholarships that I think I have a good chance for, but I may be grasping at straws here. I really like the program...

Edited March 4, 2015 by Shoelle

[Shoelle]

Update: I emailed School B and was told the admissions committee is meeting on Tuesday 3/10; did not answer whether I was on the "short list" though I asked...said she would have more information then. I can't tell if that's a good or bad sign, unfortunately. I guess I'll just try to be patient for now.

[Shoelle]

Ah, I was rejected by School B, hopefully in time to be competitive for funding from School A. I guess that worked itself out. Thanks!