Deferring for potentially more funding vs. entering cold -CUNY/CompLit.

[kursty666]

Hey everyone,

So I spoke with the director of CUNY's compLit on the phone (see previous post for pre-interview drama). He basically said that he really liked my application that its unfortunate that I did not apply earlier because he would have loved to give me a full fellowship package. Now they are all gone. He said that he would love me to go

Comments

fellowships for entrance only

[kursty666]

Also, is part of the problem is that the fellowships that I would be eligible next year are exclusively reserved for those JUST entering the program not those to their second or third years. Is that why the director couldn't promise to bump me to full fellowship in my 2nd year if I did well?

[roseofjuly]

Since you're communicating with the graduate director, why don't you ask him some of these questions? Ask him what the chances are for people who are not funded in their first year to get funding in subsequent years -- how often has it been done before? What are the chances for next year? And ask him the question you asked in your comment...are those fellowships reserved for first-year students, or could you get a shot at a full fellowship next year if you apply

[kursty666]

hey

[tisiphone]

If you're done with your degree, you're not going to get more competitive as an applicant than you are right now without some work experience or something, and admissions are going to get more competitive as more people choose grad school instead of the big bad world of work. My gut instinct is to say that if you want to go to grad school soonish this would be a good offer to grab. TAship with tuition + 18K is nothing to sneeze at, you won't be rolling in dough but you shouldn't starve either, even in New York. That's as good an offer as an awful lot of grad students get. They're almost certain to want an updated transcript if you apply again next year, too, which is almost certain to come around and bite you in the ass no matter how many verbal assurances you've had (I have to assume the director doesn't know about your failing those classes at this point, so he wasn't working with full information).

[freddie]

I'm unclear why you don't want to take TA aid-- that's the primary vehicle for funding for tons of grad students. Some people prefer TAing to fellowship aid, actually, because of the opportunities to interact with more faculty and to develop teaching experience. I think knowing exactly how much the TA offer would be for is very important for weighing this offer. The above commenter is right, you don't get your PhD unless you're funded-- but if this is even a reasonably well funded offer, I would jump at the chance. Next year is only going to get more competitive for grad, I imagine, and a bird in the hand....

[kursty666]

Just to be clear: He didn't say "I will give you a TAship" but that he could try, seeing, if, he can get me one. In short, He'll see what he can do for me. This is what also draws me to starting ASAP: how genuinely interested in and committed to me he seems. Will I be able to arouse his interest again next year? As for the value of the TAship we didn't get into the details but basically said it would cover my tuition. If there is anything left over, I cant imagine it being more than 5000. So obviously not enough. And that's if even one is available.

I did consider the economic situation making the competition tighter but: a. if I reapply very early (say Nov [CUNYs deadline is Feb1]) and already have docs on file I would be ahead of the pack. Plus, truthfully, while CUNY seems like they have an excellent program I dont think its that comparative or 'desired,' especially when considering other schools in the greater NYC area. I mean they don't even require a writing sample! (I submitted one, though i sense it was only casually read).

[mirandina]

They do require a writing sample; you have to get your information from the department directly because the CUNY system is bureaucratic.

[kursty666]

really? I called maybe in Jan and they said it's 'not necessary' though it obviously increased applicants chances. Maybe they thought I meant the MA program.

[kursty666]

ladykathryn, maybe its your profile picture, but you seem to be very knowledgeable about the bureaucratic process, so let me ask you: If I do accept the offer to attend this year --be it with or without the TAship --would the graduate center ask for another transcript? The transcript I sent them in Dec 08 does state clearly that I graduated in Nov08 and that these extra courses (whose marks are not yet tabulated) are NONE-DEGREE..And when you say it will bite me in the ass, what do you, truly, envision. Complete withdrawal of offer? Some people have been telling me that these are extra post-BA credits are not too determinantal and can be explained though 'personal problems' (obviously more carefully and honestly phrased). Plus, if I do have to resend the transcripts next year wouldn't be easier for me to 'distance' myself from them, saying that year since has made me more disciplined or rejuvenated my enthusiasm (and maybe I could have strengthened my languages more by then too)...

[tisiphone]

Yeah, if they see the drop in grades they could withdraw the offer - or not make another offer in the first place, which is what you're really looking at if they are making you reapply, despite verbal assurances that you wouldn't have to go through the "full process". If you didn't find out what he meant by that, chances are good you're still going to have to resubmit updated transcripts, even if you don't have to go through another interview or whatever. That offer was made assuming that you would still be as qualified next year as you were this year. They may not consider that to be the case if those grades make it onto your transcript and count in your GPA, whether they're non-degree credits or not. And yeah, you may be able to distance yourself from them a little bit (even though they're still going to count in your GPA), but you might not be able to either. Personally, I'd see about whether your school will remove the poor grades from your transcript before turning down a firm offer this year.

[lissiehoya]

Either way it's kind of a gamble. I have a story that is not quite the same situation you're in, but it might help you to hear this experience. I wanted to go to University X to work with Professor Joe. I met with Professor Joe and we had a great talk about my reseach and experience and he basically said that he saw no reason why I wouldn't get in.

Well, guess what? I didn't get in to University X. Because of the economy they could only take ONE student in my field and there was another student who applied who was better qualified than I was.

I wouldn't recommend starting the program without good funding, especially if this is a PhD (if it's a MA, then I don't think it's a big deal to go with a smaller amount of funding). BUT, by waiting a year you're taking a gamble because you don't know what the competition is going to be like... it might be more competitive next year and they might not be able to offer you a place with funding.