<p>I don't know how to answer this... If I say yes, will it hurt my chances of getting financial aid?</p>
<p>In the sciences for a non-international PhD it is very very rare that there won't be funding. I only came across this question once in my applications and it was for a very expensive private school. I was honest, I said no. For the record, I got in with full financial support. So I would just answer the question honestly and worry about it from there.</p>
<p>Another question, should I waive my rights to see my LORs? What purpose does that serve?</p>
<p>You should waive your right to see your letters. If you do not waive the right, schools will assume you have seen your rec letters, and that they're not confidential communications between your writers and the program to which you're applying.</p>
<p>I see.. thank you</p>
<p>1) You should definitely waive the right to see your letter.</p>
<p>2) It depends on the type of program. An unfunded PhD really speaks volumes about how much that school wants you. Remember a PhD takes anywhere from 4 to 6 years, that's easily over $100k in loans in just TUITION. </p>
<p>I believe a lot of masters programs in Engineering, compsci are all unfunded. But unfunded PhD to me, is basically a rejection. If the school does not believe in you enough to give you funding, why should you believe in them enough to take out major loans, especially in a horrible credit market?</p>
<p>Other people view it differently, but unfunded PhD admit = reject, in my opinion.</p>
<p>A lot of schools have in their application: "Check here if you cannot attend University _______ without funding" or you can make a note saying, I cannot attend unless I get funding.</p>
<p>I always wonder if that's there for people that are applying with the backing of a company or something of that sort. I know there's a few companies out there that'll pay for you to get your MS/PhD while you work there as long as your project is involved with the company's active research.</p>
<p>I think I'm gonna check "yes." </p>
<p>I don't want to screw with my chances</p>
<p>But if you can't fund yourself, what's the point of getting in? Wouldn't you rather only get in if you know you're going to be able to attend? Not only that, but what if you could get in with a stipend, but since you said you would attend without aid, they decide not to offer it to you?</p>
<p>I thought getting a master's paid for wasn't very common</p>
<p>Masters /are/ difficult to fund. PhD's...not so much if you're a good candidate.</p>
<p>There are ways to get a master's taken care of though: a lot of schools have research assistantships or other tuition remission packages (like work-study plus). If push comes to shove, though, a two-year program isn't terribly expensive in the long run. I anticipate a $40k loan max for tuition, which I can pay off in three-five years easily after I get my degree and still save more than I could have with the salary of a new-minted Bio BS.</p>