fully funded programs

[smeevil]

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I received an offer from University of South Carolina. It would come with an assistantship with a stipend of $15,000 for the 9 month academic year plus a tuition grant to cover the whole cost of tuition. Also it has a summer stipend of $5000.

I am interviewing at a number of other places still-Auburn U (clinical phd), baylor (psyd), Ruters (psyd), Virginia Consortium, etc.

I just don't see how any of these other programs can compete financially with what I'm already offered.

I guess I was just curious is this the maximum that people usually get in terms of funding? What other programs offer this much or more? I know University of Pennsylvania offers like $20,000/yr and free tuition, but they are as research oriented as it gets.

University of South Carolina is unique in that they were totally cool with me leaning towards practice. Are there any equal or practice oriented programs that offer this level of funding?

 

[irish80122]

Baylor and Rutgers may be competitive and if you are research focused they may be better options. Don't write any schools off yet, and for your own benefit, try not to make this decision solely on money. Grad school is too long and too hard to go to a school due to money and be miserable! Check out the other schools, see how you like them and where you get in, and then decide (at least that is what I would do). I have heard good things about Auburn, Baylor and Rutgers, I don't know much about Virginia Consortium other than I think they are losing a member school.

 

[smeevil]

Yeah. You are right; I will try to keep my mind open when going on these interviews. Thanks!

Baylor and Rutgers may be competitive and if you are research focused they may be better options. Don't write any schools off yet, and for your own benefit, try not to make this decision solely on money. Grad school is too long and too hard to go to a school due to money and be miserable! Check out the other schools, see how you like them and where you get in, and then decide (at least that is what I would do). I have heard good things about Auburn, Baylor and Rutgers, I don't know much about Virginia Consortium other than I think they are losing a member school.

 

[Jon4PsyD]

First off, congratulations on that amazing offer from South Carolina. You probably will not find a school that will top that offer. Including your summers you are getting a free Ph.D. + 20k a year. You should be very proud of yourself.

That said, please do give the other programs a shot. I do not know anything about Auburn but I have heard great things about Baylor. Like Irish stated, its worth being happy at the program you attend not miserable, so there is more to the decision than money.

I applied to Counseling programs. But a few years ago I applied to some Psy.D.'s before deciding to go the Master's route first. I did not get an interview with Rutgers (Out of those 400+ applicants only a select group DOES get an interview) but I did attend their open house. There were so many students speaking in front of the group, giving testimonials about the program, and most said they received full funding. I understood then why it is called the "Harvard of PsyD's" as I was just so impressed by their program, organization, and sense of community. I don't think they will give you $20,000 a year but if they offer you full funding, it's definitely worth weighing your options.

Jon

 

[Ollie123]

Can't speak to those programs in particular, but 20k a year + tuition is not exactly outlandish. Don't get me wrong, its great, but unless you're contrasting it with professional schools its not exactly jaw-dropping. This is probably on the upper-middle of what you should expect. Even at the balanced programs, funding is kind of an expectation in this field.

If anything, what makes it a good deal is not the dollar amount, its that I'd bet cost of living in Columbia is pretty good. Run the numbers through a cost of living calculator, you're probably earning more than the Penn students, relatively speaking. Actual dollar amount matters a lot less. $20,000 in Manhattan is a terrible deal compared to $15,000 in Idaho.

 

[Elle758]

Can't speak to those programs in particular, but 20k a year + tuition is not exactly outlandish.

Yeah, I'd agree with this. Not to take away from your offer...congrats on that! But, I'd say what you quoted is the "going rate." You might want to keep your options open and see what else you get offered.

One last tip, it would also be good to find out if the funding was guaranteed for more than one year. Some programs might only guarantee one year, then you have to look for your own funding sources after that. When I was deciding where to go, I remember that I had School A that offered me a nice package (for year 1). They said I could "likely" find additional funding after that. When I let them know I was still undecided, the TD came back a few days later will a better offer and gave me 2 years guaranteed. However, School B (where I decided on) funds all their students fully for 4 years (tuition, stipend, and tons of extra mini-projects where we can make extra money). They were both great programs, and money wasn't my main motivation...but it definitely played a big roll in my decision process.

Good luck, but I think I'd suggest not ruling out the other schools just yet.

 

[Ollie123]

Just to clarify, since my program won't "guarantee funding"...just because a program won't doesn't mean you won't be funded after your first year. It has to do with whether the money is set aside upon your entering or expected to come from continuing funds.

 

[Psych1212]

If anything, what makes it a good deal is not the dollar amount, its that I'd bet cost of living in Columbia is pretty good. Run the numbers through a cost of living calculator, you're probably earning more than the Penn students, relatively speaking. Actual dollar amount matters a lot less. $20,000 in Manhattan is a terrible deal compared to $15,000 in Idaho.

That was the first thing that came to mind for me as well...15k at one place can easily be better than 20k at another.

Sadly, quite a few students don't realize this until after they have accepted what they believe to be a more generous offer, only to realize that the cost of living is much higher than they expected.

 

[Elle758]

Ollie - thanks for clarifying. I didn't mean to suggest otherwise. It's absolutely true that you could be funded for multiple years without it being guaranteed at the beginning. That is probably how many schools work. My point was just that it can be nice to know whether or not you have to think about funding for additional years.

Perhaps just asking the program the percentage or number of students that have not been fully funded after their first year would give someone a good idea of that. However, people may not feel comfortable asking that and would just be happy knowing they got accepted and their first year is covered! I can understand that, too. 🙂

 

[smeevil]

Yeah, I'd agree with this. Not to take away from your offer...congrats on that! But, I'd say what you quoted is the "going rate." You might want to keep your options open and see what else you get offered.

One last tip, it would also be good to find out if the funding was guaranteed for more than one year. Some programs might only guarantee one year, then you have to look for your own funding sources after that. When I was deciding where to go, I remember that I had School A that offered me a nice package (for year 1). They said I could "likely" find additional funding after that. When I let them know I was still undecided, the TD came back a few days later will a better offer and gave me 2 years guaranteed. However, School B (where I decided on) funds all their students fully for 4 years (tuition, stipend, and tons of extra mini-projects where we can make extra money). They were both great programs, and money wasn't my main motivation...but it definitely played a big roll in my decision process.

Good luck, but I think I'd suggest not ruling out the other schools just yet.

I agree. I don't think it's outlandish or anything. I guess what I was really trying to ask was, which schools in particular offer this same amount or more. I was just kinda curious.

 

[smeevil]

Can't speak to those programs in particular, but 20k a year + tuition is not exactly outlandish. Don't get me wrong, its great, but unless you're contrasting it with professional schools its not exactly jaw-dropping. This is probably on the upper-middle of what you should expect. Even at the balanced programs, funding is kind of an expectation in this field.

If anything, what makes it a good deal is not the dollar amount, its that I'd bet cost of living in Columbia is pretty good. Run the numbers through a cost of living calculator, you're probably earning more than the Penn students, relatively speaking. Actual dollar amount matters a lot less. $20,000 in Manhattan is a terrible deal compared to $15,000 in Idaho.

Do you happen to know the names of programs that offer more? I guess it doesn't really matter. For some reason I was just curious hehe. Thanks!

 

[Ollie123]

Honestly can't remember, I just remember seeing some that were over 20k (though I'm sure many were in expensive cities where it isn't as good).

No stipend sets you up for a life of luxury, so I wouldn't make any decisions about what school to attend based off differences of a couple k, especially without consideration for cost of living. A few less trips to Starbucks, a little more attention to what is on sale, etc. Tightening the belt a bit for a few years is not a big deal (at least in my eyes)...the main goal is to avoid being saddled with a huge debt load.

Then again, if two schools really are a complete tie and you'd be happy at both, it makes perfect sense to consider that.

 

[smeevil]

Honestly can't remember, I just remember seeing some that were over 20k (though I'm sure many were in expensive cities where it isn't as good).

No stipend sets you up for a life of luxury, so I wouldn't make any decisions about what school to attend based off differences of a couple k, especially without consideration for cost of living. A few less trips to Starbucks, a little more attention to what is on sale, etc. Tightening the belt a bit for a few years is not a big deal (at least in my eyes)...the main goal is to avoid being saddled with a huge debt load.

Then again, if two schools really are a complete tie and you'd be happy at both, it makes perfect sense to consider that.

Makes sense! Thanks!

 

[JockNerd]

Do you happen to know the names of programs that offer more? I guess it doesn't really matter. For some reason I was just curious hehe. Thanks!

It's not really possible to do that because even within programs people get paid different amounts. So, where I am, RAs usually get the least, TAs get more, and Fellows get the most. Programs might have access to a special fellowship that one person in the entire college gets, that might boost a grad student up to, say, $30 or $40 k, or some fellowships that get attached to other funding so that one person gets a TAship + small fellowship for 5 or 6 k more than the guy in the next office is getting. It's perfectly reasonable to just ask the progam what the range of funding is.

 

[deleted176373]

University of South Carolina is unique in that they were totally cool with me leaning towards practice. Are there any equal or practice oriented programs that offer this level of funding?

Yes, USUHS has a civilian track Medical/Clinical program that has full remission and a $27,500 stipend + Medical (IIRC). I would call the Medical/Clinical equal focus, but they want people who will go into leadership, research, and policy positions and not just private practice.

It's in DC Metro, which is a more expensive place to live.

Mark

 

[GiantSteps]

Smeevil,

I assume you are also considering how much money South Carolina has committed to you in the future, i.e. how many years is the funding guaranteed. One school may offer less initially, but may guarantee money for more years which may be better.

By the way, perhaps you can get South Carolina to sweeten the deal with basketball and football tickets!

Or maybe you can ask for the money in cash - unmarked bills!

 

[speedyzoom]

It's not really possible to do that because even within programs people get paid different amounts. So, where I am, RAs usually get the least, TAs get more, and Fellows get the most. Programs might have access to a special fellowship that one person in the entire college gets, that might boost a grad student up to, say, $30 or $40 k, or some fellowships that get attached to other funding so that one person gets a TAship + small fellowship for 5 or 6 k more than the guy in the next office is getting. It's perfectly reasonable to just ask the progam what the range of funding is.

Right, I agree with this. I would suggest keeping your options open until all the facts are in. I've found that programs usually give the average stipend rate to applicants; however, this number is very mutable. Once you've been given an offer, schools can sometimes find a great fellowship for you which offers more money. You just don't know until you get to that point. This whole process is so arbitrary that I find the best way to go about it is to try not to over think it and just go ahead and try everything and see what rises to the top. It's exhausting, but gives you the most options.