Lacxa Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 Hi everybody, I want to share my situation with you and to ask for some advices/opinions. I received a fully funded offer from a low ranked uni and a waitlist from a highly ranked uni. apparently the higher ranked doesn't have much funding opportunities for 1st year. now I have been waitlisted for a scholarship as 1st on the waitlist, and so far I am not sure about whether I will be granted such an award. (1 year scholarship non renewable) Do you believe, as I do, that if I am granted such scholarship, the probability to be admitted to the higher ranked program will sharply increase? The lower ranked program has a deadline for acceptance, but I am afraid that I will not know about the scholarship by that time. Should I take the funded offer? Is there a penalty to pay if, I accept the offer and then, if I get the offer from the higher ranked program, I withdraw? Thanks a lot to everybody hope you can all help me :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teddyb Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 I think it all depends on how high is higher and how low is lower...? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lacxa Posted February 27, 2015 Author Share Posted February 27, 2015 Top 10 vs top 25 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MR14 Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 May I ask what holds you back from putting the department names in here? People in those programs might be your best choice as the answer to your question is probably very specific. Alterantively, you could PM someone one one of those programs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lacxa Posted February 27, 2015 Author Share Posted February 27, 2015 Yes you're right, sorry for that. They are UPenn and Brown Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blanket Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 Yes you're right, sorry for that. They are UPenn and Brown I think this has everything to do with what you want to study. With brown's recent hires, the two aren't far apart... At all. But still their strength lies in applied micro and development. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitt Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 I know a guy that was in the same situation last application cycle, he told me that after attending the visit day he had no doubt about choosing Brown. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
behavingmyself Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 Brown is a great department which has just added some terrific faculty. In some fields, it is clearly a better option than Penn. I wouldn't anticipate that a one-year scholarship would substantially alter Penn's willingness to admit you off the waitlist, given they are willing to make unfunded offers. If you really think you would prefer Penn over Brown, then just wait as long as possible before accepting the offer from Brown. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColonelForbin Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 Another thing to consider -- and this is all just heresay -- is the amount of attrition at the programs. I've heard UPenn purposefully weeds people out during the first year. I'm not saying this is a bad thing -- but other programs admit people expecting everyone to proceed to the second year (with some error of course). I think you should visit both departments -- they are both very good, but this is likely to come down to fit and program style. I, for one, would not do well in a hyper-competitive first year situation -- it just isn't something I would enjoy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pch Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 The reason why a department wouldn't give you money in year 1 is likely because they see a good chance of you not making it to year 2. Question is, do you want to take the risk? Brown and UPenn aren't that far apart. I concur with others, depends what field you are interested in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZYX Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 I believe that I have previously read that Brown's cohorts tend to be smaller than most other cohorts. Does anyone know if this is true? If so, that will be good for interaction between students and Profs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColonelForbin Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 I believe that I have previously read that Brown's cohorts tend to be smaller than most other cohorts. Does anyone know if this is true? If so, that will be good for interaction between students and Profs. This is certainly a good thing to check -- and yet another reason why you need to visit both schools! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fakeo Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 I believe that I have previously read that Brown's cohorts tend to be smaller than most other cohorts. Does anyone know if this is true? If so, that will be good for interaction between students and Profs. The target cohort size at Brown is 12 according to their website. So yeah, it's certainly a smaller program. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lacxa Posted March 28, 2015 Author Share Posted March 28, 2015 I actually was informed that I won this scholarship (it covers tuition and insurance only). I was also told from UPenn that I am midway in the waitlist. Do you all suggest me to inform them about the award? (There is a shortside of the award: after completion of degree I will be forbidden, for 2 years, to take job positions in the Us, not even research or postdoctoral are allowed) (I have broad interests) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Where To Go Posted March 28, 2015 Share Posted March 28, 2015 I actually was informed that I won this scholarship (it covers tuition and insurance only). I was also told from UPenn that I am midway in the waitlist. Do you all suggest me to inform them about the award? (There is a shortside of the award: after completion of degree I will be forbidden, for 2 years, to take job positions in the Us, not even research or postdoctoral are allowed) (I have broad interests) Your offer most likely states that you have to accept and notify them of any scholarship you receive. Whether you do it or violate the terms of your offer, you have to decide yourself. For the Fulbright Program, I believe, it is not unheard of for the requirement to be waived afterwards. But I would not count on that happening. (at least not without additional verification of my claim) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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