what would you do if you had no funding?

[AryaStark]

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What would you do if you were accepted into your dream clinical PhD program but were not offered funding for the first year?


Would you go for the first year, biting the bullet, and paying the costs yourself or would you decline and reapply to the same program next year hoping to god that they accepted you again? Clearly this is my predicament at the time being. I am straight from undergrad and have received no other offers to date. Luckily this program was actually my number one choice and I absolutely fell in love with it during the interview. I am pretty torn and would appreciate any advice via PM or post.

 

[FranklinR]

I was admitted this year to a program without guaranteed funding. I'll get some money next year, and some money each year after that - but not enough, and with a lot of risk.

I'm taking a year and trying again next year.

BUT you should only do that if there's going to be something different about you and/or the schools to which you're applying by next fall. For me, I'll get in more publications, more experience, more research - and am applying to a different set of schools.

Happy to discuss further here or via PM, if you'd like.

 

[CDub2008]

Sounds like you really want to go to this program; why run the risk of not being accepted next year when you reapply? I think it depends on how much you want to begin at this program this year. If its worth the cost of the loans to cover this year (and hopefully you'll get funding next year), then I say do it.