<p>Does opting to be considered for financial aid compromise your chance for being admitted?</p>
<p>For instance the schools limit only 50 person to be given financial aids, so those who apply and opt to receive financial aid will have to compete with persons who opt for receiving the aids too. Thus making it harder to be admitted to the school, considering that most ppl will opt for the aids.</p>
<p>Please enlighten me. Thank you.</p>
<p>Well, it’s always great to have your own money. For example, I’ve heard of stories where applicants get rejected but then win major external fellowships and ask to be let in and succeed in doing so. But I don’t think very many grad schools are going to reject you because you need fin aid. They offer you a package and then you take it or leave it.</p>
<p>I basically had no money (0 EFC) and got admitted to a program with a very nice aid package (for a MA program where most get no aid). Even then, I had to ask for more (a TAship) and got it. So I’d say in most cases, if they want you, they’ll take you and find a way to give you money (providing their rules allow it). Some programs, though, simply offer you the spot without financial aid. It’s rare they’ll reject you for that, but it happens.</p>
<p>Ultimately, though, it’s really besides the point. You ask to be considered for aid so you’re not in terrible debt when you finish your PhD, looking for the rare TT job that pays next-to-nothing anyway. Ask for aid. Almost every single grad student asks for it.</p>
<p>thx fellas!</p>