How to ask for more funding for MS degree

Graduate School
1

<p>Hi guys,</p>

<p>I just received my admission to Columbia's CE MS program today. I haven't received the mail package quite yet, so I'm not sure what the decision on funding will be. In case that no RA/TA is offered, would it be prudent to call their admissions department and tell them that I've been given a RA position at the University of Washington, and try to bargain for a similar package?</p>

<p>It would be disheartening to have to turn them down because of money. :(</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<p>Speak to the grad director in your program about this. I had to do this - I emailed the grad director and CC'd my advisor. I got a TAship. The worst they can say is no, right?</p>

3

<p>Hi DeskpSeekPhd,</p>

<p>That's something I plan on doing. How do you suggest I word my E-mail or phone call? I'm a bit worried that I may come off as too forward when I bring out the UW offer.</p>

4

<p>Hm. Well, when I did it, I said something like, </p>

<p>Dr. GradDirector,</p>

<p>I am very excited about my admission to your program and want to attend. However, I am concerned about the financial feasibility. Is is possible to have a TA or RA position as a masters student? If so, how would I go about applying for one? I appreciate your help, and I hope to be at X University in the fall!</p>

<p>They told me that it was unlikely I would get a TAship, but then a few days later I got an email giving me a partial TA. Given that it was a program that also had funded PhD students, as well as the fact that they had already given me a tuition waiver, I was pleased. Be friendly, be excited about their program, be patient and polite.</p>

5

<p>Thanks for the response!</p>

<p>How do you suggest I should incorporate the UW offer into the E-mail?</p>

6

<p>Just mention that you have another offer with a better financial package, but you prefer this program and are trying to make it feasible. You don't have to specify the program or the package.</p>

7

<p>r u an engineering student?</p>

8

<p>Columbia's financial offer if one exists in the mail is final. There is no negotiation.</p>