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asianeconomist · 05-30-2008, 04:31 AM

Hi everybody,

I am currently thinking about setting aside the money (instead of spending it on a hefty MPhil at Cambridge) that has been made available to me for my PhD (I'll be commencing at MPhil@Tilburg in this fall). Will mentioning my ability to fund myself through the 1st year increase my probability of admission at Econ PhD programs (especially cash-strapped ones) ?

I do have some indirect proof regarding this. This time round, OSU took me in but could not provide any funding. Hence, I was wondering that whether it is common for departments to offer admission without funding or at least consider to offer admission if evidence of self-funding is provided.

YoungEconomist · 05-30-2008, 02:51 PM

It would probably help, however, I'm not exactly sure how much. In my opinion, it probably won't help much, as I'm under the impression that most schools select who they'll admit, and then they start deciding on funding. It will also help in a different way, that is, you will actually be able to choose some of the unfunded offers.

italos · 05-31-2008, 07:55 PM

I agree with YoungEconomist.It might help in some extend but schools first decide on who to admit.For example, if you apply in the UK and in some European Departments they could take into consideration this fact.They also have an explicit question on the application form whether you accept the offer without funding or not.

sonicskat · 05-31-2008, 08:50 PM

I don't really know about non-top schools. I do know that top programs such as harvard and MIT are willing to reconsider your application if you have NSF money for example.

YoungEconomist · 05-31-2008, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sonicskat

I don't really know about non-top schools. I do know that top programs such as harvard and MIT are willing to reconsider your application if you have NSF money for example.

NSF money seems to send a much stronger signal of one's ability in comparison to willingness to pay tuition.

unitroot · 06-01-2008, 02:45 AM

I don't know about the answer, but if you have a private funding source, you should consider applying to universities that habitually offer people admission without funding during the first year. Some of those departments are MIT, Chicago, Wisconsin, Cornell, Virginia, BU, Rutgers, UCSD, etc. Many of such departments offer a whole lot of offers of admission without funding since they know that most people will not accept them. Therefore, applying to most of such departments automatically increases your chances of admission compared to applying to departments that always offer support.

asianeconomist · 06-01-2008, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unitroot

MIT, Chicago, Wisconsin, Cornell, Virginia, BU, Rutgers, UCSD,

May I know as to how you came up with the list ? TM admits, friends etc....

TruDog · 06-01-2008, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asianeconomist

May I know as to how you came up with the list ? TM admits, friends etc....

I'll definitely vouch for Wisconsin (as I was not offered funding until the end of August). I've heard that Virginia is the exact same in terms of the large number of unfunded offers.

unitroot · 06-01-2008, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asianeconomist

May I know as to how you came up with the list ? TM admits, friends etc....

Search the TM archives and also thegradcafe.com Of course, this sort of thing also may change by year due to funding situation of some departments.

econphilomath · 06-01-2008, 09:29 PM

I agree with unitroot. I would add UPenn to the list of those programs who send out lots of unfunded offers.

I would also add that if you were to be on the wait list somewhere, funding might be something that will tip the balance.

05-30-2008, 04:31 AM	#1 (permalink)
asianeconomist Loving the game Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Cambridge, UK Posts: 984	Does Self-funding (1st Year) increase probability of admission Hi everybody, I am currently thinking about setting aside the money (instead of spending it on a hefty MPhil at Cambridge) that has been made available to me for my PhD (I'll be commencing at MPhil@Tilburg in this fall). Will mentioning my ability to fund myself through the 1st year increase my probability of admission at Econ PhD programs (especially cash-strapped ones) ? I do have some indirect proof regarding this. This time round, OSU took me in but could not provide any funding. Hence, I was wondering that whether it is common for departments to offer admission without funding or at least consider to offer admission if evidence of self-funding is provided. Last edited by asianeconomist : 05-30-2008 at 04:32 AM. Reason: Ghosts in keyboard

05-31-2008, 07:55 PM	#3 (permalink)
italos Within my grasp! Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 400	I agree with YoungEconomist.It might help in some extend but schools first decide on who to admit.For example, if you apply in the UK and in some European Departments they could take into consideration this fact.They also have an explicit question on the application form whether you accept the offer without funding or not. _ _ _ _ SIG _ _ _ _ LOR is everything! _____________ The Secrets of the Temple:How Admissions are conducted? Facebook TestMagic Econ PhD Forum group Last edited by italos : 05-31-2008 at 08:28 PM.

05-31-2008, 08:50 PM	#4 (permalink)
sonicskat Within my grasp! Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 256	I don't really know about non-top schools. I do know that top programs such as harvard and MIT are willing to reconsider your application if you have NSF money for example. _ _ _ _ SIG _ _ _ _ UVA-- A first year, no longer

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05-30-2008, 02:51 PM	#2 (permalink)
YoungEconomist TestMagic Guru Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,281	It would probably help, however, I'm not exactly sure how much. In my opinion, it probably won't help much, as I'm under the impression that most schools select who they'll admit, and then they start deciding on funding. It will also help in a different way, that is, you will actually be able to choose some of the unfunded offers.

06-01-2008, 02:45 AM	#6 (permalink)
unitroot Within my grasp! Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 103	I don't know about the answer, but if you have a private funding source, you should consider applying to universities that habitually offer people admission without funding during the first year. Some of those departments are MIT, Chicago, Wisconsin, Cornell, Virginia, BU, Rutgers, UCSD, etc. Many of such departments offer a whole lot of offers of admission without funding since they know that most people will not accept them. Therefore, applying to most of such departments automatically increases your chances of admission compared to applying to departments that always offer support.

06-01-2008, 09:29 PM	#10 (permalink)
econphilomath Adriannn! Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,261	I agree with unitroot. I would add UPenn to the list of those programs who send out lots of unfunded offers. I would also add that if you were to be on the wait list somewhere, funding might be something that will tip the balance.

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