An Undergrad Trying to Understand How to Get Funding For Grad School

[attackemu]

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Hey guys,

So I'm in my senior year of university, and will be applying to various competitive clinical PhD programs this fall. I haven't seen any other threads specifically addressing my issue, so apologies if it does exist and I just haven't seen it.

I've been told that prospective grad students look a lot better if they already have some form of external funding when applying to the grad programs. I was hoping some of you out there might have some advice for where to look for these opportunities, and what is involved in acquiring these hard-to-get grants etc. I've been told by an advisor that while the deadlines are pretty soon for most of the scholarships/grants, it's not impossible to pull together something at this point. Most of the grants I've seen on the NIH and NIMH websites are for current grad students who want funding for specific research, as opposed to current undergrads who are looking for funding so that they CAN go to grad school and perform research.

Help!!

 

[deleted343839]

I've been told that prospective grad students look a lot better if they already have some form of external funding when applying to the grad programs.

Well, hypothetically that's true, but I think this is relatively uncommon among accepted applicants even at top programs. Most grants at the graduate school level require an identified mentor at the same institution as the grantee (or at least closely affiliated). Clearly, it's a little hard to apply for such grants not knowing where you'll be and having no firm commitments. Some people do take that risk if there is an existing relationship with a mentor at the institution (ie, when acceptance is already informally on the table). Finding less restricted grant money - that is, not tied to a particular mentor or institution - is tough at this level.

Having received some sort of funding as an undergraduate (eg, an undergraduate research fellowship) looks terrific, but that's a separate issue. In practice it is actually rather difficult to "take the money with you" when you switch institutions, especially for trainees. I think that this is not something you should spend a great deal of your time on unless there is a known opportunity at hand. Build upon your existing strengths, nail the GRE, and invest a lot of time researching the right programs for your interests.

 

[deleted343839]

Oh, and remember - many university-based programs will "fund" you in the sense that they will provide a stipend to cover your living expenses (if just barely). Funded programs also generally come with a tuition waiver. In exchange, you will work as a research assistant and/or teaching assistant.

The main "funding" problem is in finding a little pot of money with which to carry out your actual research. You should pick an advisor who will pony up some of his or her own resources to help you complete independent projects AND help you earn your own funding after a few years in the program.

 

[deleted176373]

Well, hypothetically that's true, but I think this is relatively uncommon among accepted applicants even at top programs. Most grants at the graduate school level require an identified mentor at the same institution as the grantee (or at least closely affiliated). Clearly, it's a little hard to apply for such grants not knowing where you'll be and having no firm commitments. Some people do take that risk if there is an existing relationship with a mentor at the institution (ie, when acceptance is already informally on the table). Finding less restricted grant money - that is, not tied to a particular mentor or institution - is tough at this level.

Having received some sort of funding as an undergraduate (eg, an undergraduate research fellowship) looks terrific, but that's a separate issue. In practice it is actually rather difficult to "take the money with you" when you switch institutions, especially for trainees. I think that this is not something you should spend a great deal of your time on unless there is a known opportunity at hand. Build upon your existing strengths, nail the GRE, and invest a lot of time researching the right programs for your interests.

+1, if you are applying to competitive funded programs they will be funding you.

Mark

 

[CanPsychGirl]

Where are you located? Canada/USA? In Canada (if you are in Ontario) the OGS Program is $15k/year and does not require you to be already accepted somewhere. The federal grants are a bit trickier but can also be done without an acceptance.