Asking About Funding

[Happington]

The other day I received an acceptance to my top choice University, following a successful interview with a POI.  I was receiving some very encouraging remarks from both the professor I spoke to, as well as the department in general.  When I received the notification letter from the department it was a generic letter, detailing the required courses I should look at, and reminding me to transmit the outstanding documents to Graduate Admissions (specifically my transcripts.)

The decision letter posted to the web portal mentioned the department would directly contact me regarding any funding positions I've been nominated for.

The impression I got from the professor I interviewed with was that international students weren't admitted without funding, however I am nervous about clicking that "Accept Offer" button without a funding offer in hand.  I sent an email to the academic co-ordinator (the only contact I have had with the department aside from the professor) yesterday morning asking if the offer was funded, and if not, if any TA/RA positions are available to apply to.  I have not received a reply to this email.

Would it be improper to send a follow up tomorrow, even though it's only been two full business days since my last request?  Should I sit on it for a few more days/a week to see if an offer is forthcoming?

[johnnycomelately]

If you don't have any other offers you are needing to respond to, give them some time. Admissions committees/program admins know this is important info for prospective students, and they will get back to you when it's all figured out. Should you have other offers requiring a response soon, however, give them a call, or contact the other program's DGS asking for an extension.  

Edited April 14, 2016 by johnnycomelately

[preantepenultimate]

First of all, you generally shouldn't accept an offer without knowing what your funding will be. If you do, you lose any implicit leverage you have, and of course you are committing yourself somewhat blindly.

If you have funding offers for other programs, then you are probably obligated to respond to them by April 15, so you need to know ASAP what your other funding offers will be in order to make an informed decision. In either case, you should definitely get in touch with your top choice again to see what their offer will be. If they haven't responded by tomorrow, consider giving the POI a phone call instead of emailing.

[TakeruK]

Don't commit until you have a funding offer in hand (unless you are willing to go without funding). If you have a April 15 deadline, I would contact the school directly in person tomorrow (April 14) during the school's business hours. Since you would want to know the information on the same day, don't rely on email---make a phone call.

[Happington]

Alright.  I have another offer, but it doesn't expire on the 15th, so I can sit on that for a bit.  I assume this school will try to get funding offers out before the 15th regardless, as they can probably guess that students like me would have that choice to make soon.