<p>Oh, what to do! I have been toiling over choices and need advice regarding PhD programs. </p>
<p>I have been accepted by UCLA (top-tier for my field) with no hope of funding for at least the first year. Total out of state bill comes to $30,000. </p>
<p>Also, was offered admission and a fellowship, which includes a stipend, to SMU, unknown but growing in reputation in my field. </p>
<p>Finally, was offered admission to Seattle Pacific University (no reputation in the field). Here, I would hope to start the PhD and possibly, if the program does not end up being a good fit, get the blessing of the department and attempt to transfer to U of Washington (dream school- but was rejected this year, choose the incorrect department to apply to) This is more of a pipe dream and a big wish to live in Seattle. </p>
<p>I have a feeling what the correct choice is, but I would really appreciate a thourough discussion of prestige vs. funding and third party opinions. Many thanks.</p>
<p>This is one of those times, imo, where sucking up the debt…not an impossible amount…to get into a top-tier program is worth it. </p>
<p>Investigate funding sources. My D is also in a top-tier PhD program that also did not offer first-year funding. One of the prof’s gave her some funding from one of his academic research centers, her undergrad college gave her a fellowship. Okay, both are bits of luck. But you can’t win unless you play.</p>
<p>There’s a SPU doctoral candidate who is an instructor at UW that I know. I can shoot your question to her if you’d like. But you may not be in the same program as her.</p>
<p>SPU is like 7 min away from UW. You can see it from UW Tower in the west campus.</p>
<p>Also, how important to you personally is it to be at a Christian school? SPU and SMU are both Christian schools and my Muslim friend at SPU is not happy there at all with them proselytizing to him all the time.</p>
<p>Do not go to a university with the hope of transferring out. In many fields you will have to start over anyway, and some programs look down on people who transfer out especially in their first year - because then it looks like you planned to transfer out. You’ll be a more competitive applicant if you simply do not start a program, so IMO Seattle Pacific is out.</p>
<p>Strictly speaking, assuming that you do not have to go into debt, reputation is more important than funding. Graduate school is a training period, so you should expect the funding to be low. However, that only applies if you don’t have to go into much debt.</p>
<p>UCLA would be the obvious better choice here - if you were funded. What field are you in, and what are the chances that you will be funded after your first year? This is the question you need to ask your PI/advisor. I agree with TheDad if you are only borrowing for the first year, and stand a nearly 100% chance of getting funded for years 2-5+. (Also, I am imagining the total OOS CoA is actually closer to $50K when you count living expenses, unless they are waiving the out-of-state tuition for you. The 2012-2013 tables say the total CoA for an off-campus graduate student in-state is $50,575.)</p>
<p>My take: UCLA is the best choice IF 1) you stand phenomenal chances of getting funded in your second year and staying funded through the rest of your program and 2) you don’t already have huge undergraduate debt. Borrowing more than $50K for a PhD is foolish since you won’t make enough money to pay it back. If chances do not look good for getting funded in your second year, I would either go to SMU or I would sit out a year and reapply next year. And personally, if SMU is really “unknown” in your field, I would sit out, do some research, try to make my CV better and reapply in the fall.</p>