<p>With a lot of departments lacking funds to support students, I was wondering how external funding is regarded in the admissions process. I noticed that on some applications, there is a section in which you fill out if you are applying for financial aid. If you can secure external funding (fellowships, etc.), do you think that you will have a bit of an advantage over other applicants?</p>
<p>The reason I am asking this is because I am currently a Junior who is looking to apply to a several IE PhD programs in the fall with a fellowship secured. My research advisor tells me to mention the fellowship in my SOP because he thinks the admissions committee would look at external funding positively (in addition to showing research potential). Holding other factors constant (i.e., competitive metrics like GPA, etc.), do you think I should mention the fellowship in my SOP and/or apply saying I do not need funding?</p>
<p>Of course you should mention it. Not only does it show that some other decision board thought you were worth of their time and money, it’s also free money for the school. The amount of students a grad school can take is large limited by funding so they’re not exactly bumping anyone to let you in.</p>
<p>Absolutely mention it. While schools will not generally admit “underqualified” applicants, the fact is that most good schools turn away many students that they consider well-qualified, just because they cannot guarantee funding. If your funding is prestigious, all the better - schools love showing how many NSF fellows they have.</p>
<p>It definitely will not hurt you - if they are going to admit you ANYWAY they are not going to change their minds just because you bring your own money. Conversely, if you have the funding then you may be a great match for a professor that has a need for a grad student but lacks current funding. Heck, external funding is so good that it is one of the ONLY things that merits contacting the department between application and admission offer.</p>
<p>Go for it. And congratulations! </p>
<p>May I ask what fellowship you secured so early? There is a caveat here that I should have mentioned - the funding needs to be reasonably secure and sufficient for a suitable period. My comments above were for a full-ride 3+ year fellowship - a partial or 1-year deal means much much less…</p>