Accepted to a School without Stipend

[thatguy999]

Hi all,

 

My undergrad transcript and stats are not stellar. They don't match my capabilities currently due to the difficult transition I had from a poor public high school to a top tier college. 

 

 

Anywho, I have been accepted to a school's Ms/PhD program with a full tuition scholarship but I am currently waitlisted for funding. If I don't end up getting funding, do you think it'd be doable for me to start the program without a stipend and peace out after I get the Ms tuition-free? I figure at that point I could either apply to other PhD programs since I"ll have a Masters transcript to back me up with better grades and more experience overall. (or maybe at this point i'd just get an industry job)

 

It'd obviously be rather impossible for me to stay and do a PhD for 5+ years without any stipend. I also wouldn't feel as bad about leaving after the Masters since the department isn't using a stipend on me, only freeing me from tuition requirements. I don't think any of the school's profs would be too upset about me leaving either since they've all acknowledged to me that funding at this university isn't plentiful.

 

What do ya'll think?

Edited March 10, 2015 by thatguy999

[epimeleia_heautou]

If you aren't awarded a stipend this year, is there the possibility that you can receive one in following years after demonstrating your ability?

 

Also, you should investigate the opportunities for procuring a research assistanship either during your first year or later. RAs are often funded by grants that professors have been awarded and control, so it may be possible for you to receive money during your time there even if it is not awarded directly by the department.

[Karoku_valentine]

Hi all,

 

My undergrad transcript and stats are not stellar. They don't match my capabilities currently due to the difficult transition I had from a poor public high school to a top tier college. 

 

 

Anywho, I have been accepted to a school's Ms/PhD program with a full tuition scholarship but I am currently waitlisted for funding. If I don't end up getting funding, do you think it'd be doable for me to start the program without a stipend and peace out after I get the Ms tuition-free? I figure at that point I could either apply to other PhD programs since I"ll have a Masters transcript to back me up with better grades and more experience overall. (or maybe at this point i'd just get an industry job)

 

It'd obviously be rather impossible for me to stay and do a PhD for 5+ years without any stipend. I also wouldn't feel as bad about leaving after the Masters since the department isn't using a stipend on me, only freeing me from tuition requirements. I don't think any of the school's profs would be too upset about me leaving either since they've all acknowledged to me that funding at this university isn't plentiful.

 

What do ya'll think?

 

I guess you are American (since international students can get TA jobs teaching their languages; that is how many of my fellow classmates in my Master funded their studies). Either you could try getting a position as a grader, in case you receive no stipend.

 

Overall, I would recommend you to go to school now instead of later. You could try getting a TAship next year, or just leave.

[thatguy999]

If you aren't awarded a stipend this year, is there the possibility that you can receive one in following years after demonstrating your ability?

 

Also, you should investigate the opportunities for procuring a research assistanship either during your first year or later. RAs are often funded by grants that professors have been awarded and control, so it may be possible for you to receive money during your time there even if it is not awarded directly by the department.

 

This is currently my plan. If I don't receive a stipend by the time i'm an awarded an MS, I think I'll leave and either apply to other PhD programs or get an industry job. Does this seem like a solid/acceptable plan? I dont know how it is looked upon to leave a program if they're giving you a tuition waiver but no stipend.

[lisa8191]

international students can get TA jobs teaching their languages; that is how many of my fellow classmates in my Master funded their studies

 

 

Is it common for international students being TA teaching languages even if they are science major?? Mandarin is my native tongue but I didn't major in languages though...

[rising_star]

You might still be able to get a TA position teaching Mandarin or maybe teaching discussion sections in that language. It's definitely worth contacting the appropriate language department and asking. You can also look into positions in student affairs or general student worker jobs on campus that pay by the hour. Your plan to leave rather than get no stipend for the PhD is a good one. You'll want to make sure you're doing everything you can while there to position yourself well for a funded PhD program elsewhere.

[thatguy999]

You might still be able to get a TA position teaching Mandarin or maybe teaching discussion sections in that language. It's definitely worth contacting the appropriate language department and asking. You can also look into positions in student affairs or general student worker jobs on campus that pay by the hour. Your plan to leave rather than get no stipend for the PhD is a good one. You'll want to make sure you're doing everything you can while there to position yourself well for a funded PhD program elsewhere.

 

Thanks for the advice. I'm an American student, however. I'm not particularly fluent in any other languages. I'm glad you think the plan sounds good though!

[rising_star]

Sorry, thatguy99. I should've been clearer that the part about Mandarin was directed at lisa, not you.

[thatguy999]

Sorry, thatguy99. I should've been clearer that the part about Mandarin was directed at lisa, not you.

 

Oops no worries, didn't notice Lisa's post.

 

Anywho, so does everyone think the department where I'm accepted would be cool with me leaving after the masters?

 

I'm not sure what the protocol is on this, since normal MS students pay tuition. I'm accepted tuition free because I've been accepted to the MS/PhD program where you transition after doing the MS requirements to PhD ones.

 

There aren't any conditions where I"d have to pay back tuition if I left, right?

Edited March 10, 2015 by thatguy999

[bayessays]

I'm not sure of the exact details of your program, but if it's a MS program that feeds into the PhD program, you have no obligation to stay after finishing your masters, especially if they're not going to fund you.  You should make it clear to your professors that you want to pursue a PhD and get to know them well so they can write you letters; ask them if they have any research positions available.  During your second year, you can let them know that if you will not be funded in your current program, you plan to apply other places and get the opportunity to have a funded PhD (well, you can say this in a way that doesn't sound like an ultimatum).  I think any reasonable person would understand your decision.  Nobody is supposed to pursue a PhD without funding.

[lisa8191]

I once talked to a professor about leaving with terminated MS in a PhD program. I told him it seems like a fraud but he said it's actually not and completely okay since people change their mind often and it's also possible that the environment of the program doesn't really match up your expectation. I think the professors all understand that. Also, you don't have to pay back tuition if leaving with a terminated MS in MS/PhD program.

[lisa8191]

You might still be able to get a TA position teaching Mandarin or maybe teaching discussion sections in that language. It's definitely worth contacting the appropriate language department and asking. You can also look into positions in student affairs or general student worker jobs on campus that pay by the hour. 

Thanks for your advice! I'll consider applying for TA language job only if I can't find a research assistant job. Maybe during the first year in MS.

[Karoku_valentine]

Is it common for international students being TA teaching languages even if they are science major?? Mandarin is my native tongue but I didn't major in languages though...

 

In UCSD, students from different backgrounds were language TA's. So you had people who studied business, accounting, and others teching Chinese. So, I guess it depends on the school and the demand of language TA's. So in UCSD, it was pretty common. I was even offered a language TAship without even asking for it. Just ask the department before going there and tell them about your situation.

[rising_star]

Thanks for your advice! I'll consider applying for TA language job only if I can't find a research assistant job. Maybe during the first year in MS.

I would apply now so that you don't end up without any funding at all. 

[lisa8191]

sorry, to be more clear, I'm going to master program not PhD.

[thatguy999]

I once talked to a professor about leaving with terminated MS in a PhD program. I told him it seems like a fraud but he said it's actually not and completely okay since people change their mind often and it's also possible that the environment of the program doesn't really match up your expectation. I think the professors all understand that. Also, you don't have to pay back tuition if leaving with a terminated MS in MS/PhD program.

 

Thanks, this helps a lot! I"m glad everyone thinks my plan seems good

[aberrant]

In UCSD, students from different backgrounds were language TA's. So you had people who studied business, accounting, and others teching Chinese. So, I guess it depends on the school and the demand of language TA's. So in UCSD, it was pretty common. I was even offered a language TAship without even asking for it. Just ask the department before going there and tell them about your situation.

 

That is more of a deal between specific departments, and do not apply to all the departments at UCSD, hence, it was not common to my knowledge. I know enough international graduate students who are/were in physical science, natural science, engineering, and history, that are/were TA'ing in their home department. I also know, however, that when necessary, one can TA for an undergraduate language class.

 

So is it possible to have a different academic background and become a TA in the language department? Absolutely. Is it common though? Absolutely not.

[Karoku_valentine]

That is more of a deal between specific departments, and do not apply to all the departments at UCSD, hence, it was not common to my knowledge. I know enough international graduate students who are/were in physical science, natural science, engineering, and history, that are/were TA'ing in their home department. I also know, however, that when necessary, one can TA for an undergraduate language class.

 

So is it possible to have a different academic background and become a TA in the language department? Absolutely. Is it common though? Absolutely not.

That might be the case. Still, for IRPS  it was pretty common, and none of those students had a major in linguistics or education.

Edited March 13, 2015 by Karoku_valentine