managing cost of applying

[Student4Life0]

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Hi all,

I am looking for some advice regarding the astronomical cost of applying to grad programs. As a full time MA student, I don't work enough to pay all of the bills, so I use loans to supplement my cost of living. I am applying to aprox 12 programs this winter, and as I started to total the cost of GREs/applications/possible flights/hotels to interviews...it's well into the $3000-4000 range. My question is this..how did everyone else do it? My solution is to take out gradplus loans. The thought of spending THOUSANDS of dollars in order to MAYBE get into a program is really scary. It is daunting, and it is anxiety provoking.

 

[PsychApps2009]

I don't have much advice to give - I had saved up the money (3k) before applying. However, in terms of your anxiety, if this is really what you want to do, then you have to focus on the idea (at least I did) that the money spent on applying and going on interviews is an investment. Loans suck, and I wouldn't necessarily take out 100-200k loans to get my PhD, but 3k in the long run (hopefully) will be fine.

The only other things I can think of: 1) Most programs you interview at will host you, so don't worry about hotels too much, 2) If you end up traveling a lot, consider a third party travel insurance that includes 'cancel for any reason', and 3) depending on where you are applying, and where you get interviews, consider various forms of transportation (bus, train, etc.).

Finally, even if you get a lot of interviews, some dates will conflict and you'll need to prioritize which ones you want to or can go to in person... so be ready to do the same if it comes down to cost conflicts.

 

[deleted176373]

Hi all,

I am looking for some advice regarding the astronomical cost of applying to grad programs. As a full time MA student, I don't work enough to pay all of the bills, so I use loans to supplement my cost of living. I am applying to aprox 12 programs this winter, and as I started to total the cost of GREs/applications/possible flights/hotels to interviews...it's well into the $3000-4000 range. My question is this..how did everyone else do it? My solution is to take out gradplus loans. The thought of spending THOUSANDS of dollars in order to MAYBE get into a program is really scary. It is daunting, and it is anxiety provoking.

Stay with students, drive, and apply for application fee waivers.

It's easy to spend a lot of money, but careful planning can save you a bunch. Southwest Airlines is my choice for cheap airfare, get their "Ding" application, it can be a lifesaver.

A few programs reimburse travel (University of Kansas did.)

Mark

 

[Student4Life0]

Stay with students, drive, and apply for application fee waivers.

It's easy to spend a lot of money, but careful planning can save you a bunch. Southwest Airlines is my choice for cheap airfare, get their "Ding" application, it can be a lifesaver.

A few programs reimburse travel (University of Kansas did.)

Mark

How do application fee wavers work? Are they easy to get, and does it look bad to try to get them?

 

[Student4Life0]

Also...does one apply for assistantships when applying to the program, or after being accepted? I would assume it was after acceptance, but U of Miami seems to want it at the time of application. This seems strange to me.

 

[deleted176373]

Also...does one apply for assistantships when applying to the program, or after being accepted? I would assume it was after acceptance, but U of Miami seems to want it at the time of application. This seems strange to me.

Some do it as part of the app process, others do it after acceptance. Regarding the app waivers, each school has it's own process, so you will have to inquire with each school.

Mark

 

[deadmau5]

save on shipping by getting them done early so you don't have to spend $20 on 1-day or 2-day shipping.

some schools actually have free applications and/or let you do everything online so you don't have to mail anything.