Quote:
Originally Posted by poleringer
I'm applying for NSF, and I read on some posts from last year that people applying to MIT didn't find out until late because they thought MIT was waiting to hear the NSF results. WHat is the relationship here? Would MIT accept only those that it wouldn't have to fund itself?
Also, if one were to win the NSF, is it true a school would not give any funding to you at all? Basically I"m deciding whether to finish the NSF app or gamble on getting full funding from admission.
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It is true that if you accept the NSF, you get the NSF money in lieu of whatever fellowship offers you have at the schools to which you are admitted. However, the NSF funding comes with fewer strings attached (i.e. no TA/RA responsibilities) and is generally larger (22.5k for the academic year, 7.5k over the summer) than most fellowship offers.
In addition, winning the NSF sends out a good signal that will probably result in offers in addition to the NSF funding.
It is true that MIT waitlists quite a few people and offers admissions with no funding initially in an effort to hold off making final decisions until the NSF results are announced. A classmate of mine was offered admission off the waitlist after being awarded the NSF.
Admittedly, it is a pain to apply for (I am in the process of re-applying), but the potential rewards are very high in terms of financial offers, prestige, fewer responsibilities during graduate school, and increased chances of admissions. I highly recommend completing your application.