Funding for MS students

Colleges and Universities A-Z Stanford University
1

<p>Hey, I've been accepted for the MS program in Stanford but without funding. A lot of people want me to go there but I want to make sure it will be worth it. Firstly, I am keen in getting a PhD. Do do you guys know if MS students who want to continue to PhD have no trouble finding an advisor for PhD? This is the most important as my parents are willing to pay.</p>

<p>But I would really prefer if I can get an assistantship as soon as possible to help me through my M.S. I know Stanford rarely gives assistantships to newly admitted students but how does it look for continuing MS students. Do most of them get funding for MS? What are the chances of me becoming a TA or a RA after the first quarter or at most the second? </p>

<p>What is the course of actions that I should undertake to find a professor for a TA or a RA? Are professors ok with hiring MS students for research even if they haven't completed a lot of graduate course work? Should I suggest doing research for them for credit before asking them whether I can become a RA? Will I be able to find a professor for whom I do research for credit before my first quarter? How about TAs? Are they hard to get? Don't MS students TA for undergraduate courses? One of the professors said he picks from students who take that class...how would that work for undergraduate classes?</p>

2

<p>TAships are not hard to get for masters students and they pay 50% or 100% of your tuition for 10 or 20 hrs of work per week, respectively. I’m not sure what dept you’re in, but usually you’ll be doing research for a professor, and you’ll know that professor well enough to probably ask to TA one of his/her classes. To become an RA or TA, you honestly just have to take the initiative to ask professors. If you come to an admit/visit weekend, you get the opportunity to meet all the professors and see what they work on.</p>

<p>this was a really general answer, but to basically, it’s not difficult to find a TA or RAship, especially as a incoming MS student. People TA classes they haven’t taken. Unless you’re in Mechanical Engineering (in which case you can ask me), I would recommend asking some current students (easy to find via email) your questions!</p>