So You Were Accepted to Your Dream School…What Now?
“Congratulations! The Department of X University is pleased to inform you that you have been accepted to the X program in Y to begin in September 2021.”
These words symbolize not only the hard work and dedication you have attributed to your studies, research, and applications over the past months and years, it is the optimal validation. When I was accepted to study for my PhD at Yale last year, I had just finished a Women’s History seminar at Oxford and was surrounded by my classmates and supervisor. When I saw the email that I had gotten in, I immediately broke down in tears. The self doubt that I had harbored for months was finally released with an immediate sense of relief. I had done it!
When you gain acceptance to your dream program, it is hard to consider all of the various factors which will become integral to your growth and health while in that program. Living costs, access to proper health insurance, departmental support, etc. are all things you need to consider, especially if you have been accepted to a PhD program. In the following post I am going to cover some of the key points that I urge you to mull over as you make your plans to relocate and begin your PhD journey!
The Offer
Within each acceptance, you will also receive a formal offer letter. This letter will include the terms and conditions associated with accepting your offer and beginning your graduate work. Funding, health insurance coverage, program/contract agreements, etc. are all points that you want to take into consideration. The stipend for each school may look a bit different. While some schools may cover your tuition, health insurance, fees, and stipend, others may only cover a portion or may require external funding. Not all offers are the same! Read the fine print and be sure to see what will be expected of you ahead of time.
Speak to Current Graduate Students
Graduate students are the ultimate source of knowledge within a graduate program. They know what the stipend allocation is, what is expected in coursework, cost of living, etc. Some things to ask them would be:
Which professors have you enjoyed working with the most?
Is the stipend a liveable wage?
What is the average rent cost/cost of living?
Do I need to have a car?
What does the health insurance cover
Do graduate students below to a union?
Living Arrangements
As stated above, each school will offer you different “benefits” and stipend packages. Regardless of where you go, doctoral students are grossly underfunded so make sure to go in with your eyes wide open and a strategic budget! Examine the housing market near the campus and be realistic about what your priorities are. If living alone is important to you, make sure you can afford it given the stipend you have been offered (also, be sure to account for taxes in your budget!).
Trust Your Gut
At the end of the day, you will end up in the program that is meant for you. Trust your intuition and which programs seems right to you and which you think will be the best fit for your goals
Picking Between Programs
Having the opportunity to pick between various programs is rare so congratulations if this is one of the challenges you face! It’s a good problem to have! That being said you want to weigh a few very important factors. For one, the advisor(s) you hope to work with will be critical to your success and well-being. Therefore, be sure to consider what types of mentorship opportunities either program may offer you. Second, consider the stipend compared to living costs and the length of your contract. Lastly, If you need to teach throughout the entirety of your future dissertation research, be sure to keep those demands at the forefront of your decision.
