Start the PhD without funding?

[confusedstudent]

In short, I was considering a program in the humanities for my PhD.

I e-mailed an inquiry about deadlines with a short bio, and I got an e-mail asking if I was interested in starting next month (non degree seeking until the next quarter). Obviously, no funding in this status.

Would you do it? I love the field and am happy with the school, but I don't know if I want to gamble the money.

Thoughts?

[do_not_pass_go]

A prof at my school advised that you should never go into debt for a phd program, but this sounds different. I would ask them about funding for next semester (try to get something definitive), but this doesn't sound different from an MA program.
Even if you don't get funding at this school you can always transfer your credits to another program (all the schools I know of will take at least 9 credits from another university).
If you are for sure want to go into a phd program, this is a great way to not waste a year; even if your first semester isn't funded, it might be worth paying for.

[CalmLogic]

Even if you don't get funding at this school you can always transfer your credits to another program (all the schools I know of will take at least 9 credits from another university).

Yes, most grad schools allow 6-9 credits to be transferred into a masters program and up to 30+ credits for transfer into a PhD program.

Would you do it? I love the field and am happy with the school, but I don't know if I want to gamble the money.

I wouldn't get a PhD in the humanities even if I got a fellowship That's because I would only want a PhD in the humanities to be a professor, and, at least for me, I wouldn't be able to compete for the few university slots without moving to somewhere cold and far away from my family. Even to get a professorship in the humanities at a community college seems too competitive considering the salary.

OTOH, there's the Joseph Campbell line to "follow your bliss."

[shemz]

I wouldn't get a PhD in the humanities even if I got a fellowship

I thought he asked considering finance in mind !

Well my cents will be very cautious to go for this. Generally, though not in all cases, people get themselves financed after even a year. However, it may well be purely a gamble. Better option will be analyse the present financial situation of the department you potentially want to attend; possibly contact some senior there to get an idea.

But nonetheless, I would wait if its only a matter of one quarter. Later move on with confirm assistantship or fellowship.