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What "perks" aside from $, can make an offer better?

Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2014 3:09 pm
by pi_man
So, long story short is that I am currently deciding between two schools, one is slightly better in most respects, research, location, people, resources, industry contacts. while the other one is only very slightly not as good. its like a 51%-49%, or maybe it would be better to say that the first place has 99% of what I want, while the other one is at 95% (maybe 90%). the problem is, the second place has offered me a much better package, around $5000 a year more after the first year, and would let me do research full time my first year instead of having a TA. I told the first school about this and they said that they had no more money and my offer remains the same. I like to think of the first school as high-risk, high-reward, i think there is a possibility of me doing MUCH better in the long run coming from the first school, but with the lesser financial package, there is the risk that if i don't do so well, then I've just screwed myself over for 5+ years.

My Questions:
1. Are there any non-financial "perks" i can ask for to make their offer better?
2. How far do i push in any negotiations?
3. At what point do I say that the money and quick research opportunities are more important to me than the research?
4. Is a "High-Risk, High-Reward" graduate program worth it, or should i take the safer choice even though my career prospects might be 'slightly' less?

Oh, and due to one of the offers, I only have until april 10 to make my decision.....FML

Re: What "perks" aside from $, can make an offer better?

Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2014 3:18 pm
by mrfotih
The same situation with me, but I do not want to ask my 1st(higher profiled) school more money and look a money idiot.

Re: What "perks" aside from $, can make an offer better?

Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2014 3:34 pm
by pi_man
yeah, I tried to make clear when i talked with them that money was only a factor because they have a 20-30% higher cost of living, and that the research opportunity was of greater importance to me.

Re: What "perks" aside from $, can make an offer better?

Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2014 7:49 pm
by admissionprof
pi_man wrote:
Oh, and due to one of the offers, I only have until april 10 to make my decision.....FML

What does this mean? All schools in the US must give you until April 15th. Google council on graduate schools resolution

For the rest, in the long run, money won't matter much. Go with the place you're most comfortable and where you think you'll be happiest.

Re: What "perks" aside from $, can make an offer better?

Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2014 8:35 pm
by mrfotih
Hi admissionprof,

Can I ask a school to admit or reject me before april 15? It seems some shools want to keep my app even more.
Won't it be rude?

Re: What "perks" aside from $, can make an offer better?

Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2014 11:28 pm
by bfollinprm
admissionprof wrote:
pi_man wrote:
Oh, and due to one of the offers, I only have until april 10 to make my decision.....FML

What does this mean? All schools in the US must give you until April 15th. Google council on graduate schools resolution

For the rest, in the long run, money won't matter much. Go with the place you're most comfortable and where you think you'll be happiest.
I had an offer of a fellowship from a school that expired sometime before the 15th. I presume that's what's meant.

Re: What "perks" aside from $, can make an offer better?

Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2014 11:49 pm
by TakeruK
bfollinprm wrote:
admissionprof wrote:
pi_man wrote:
Oh, and due to one of the offers, I only have until april 10 to make my decision.....FML

What does this mean? All schools in the US must give you until April 15th. Google council on graduate schools resolution

For the rest, in the long run, money won't matter much. Go with the place you're most comfortable and where you think you'll be happiest.
I had an offer of a fellowship from a school that expired sometime before the 15th. I presume that's what's meant.
I thought the intention of the CGS April 15 resolution was exactly for this case: to prevent a school from offering a fellowship but requiring the student to decide before April 15.

Re: What "perks" aside from $, can make an offer better?

Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2014 12:30 pm
by admissionprof
mrfotih wrote:Hi admissionprof,

Can I ask a school to admit or reject me before april 15? It seems some shools want to keep my app even more.
Won't it be rude?
No you can't. We often keep a few files undecided until the 15th, in case we get a whole bunch of declines in the last couple of days. I usually tell them, and keep them informed of the situation, but offers on the 16th or 17th aren't that unusual.

Re: What "perks" aside from $, can make an offer better?

Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2014 3:09 pm
by mrfotih
admissionprof wrote:
mrfotih wrote:Hi admissionprof,

Can I ask a school to admit or reject me before april 15? It seems some shools want to keep my app even more.
Won't it be rude?
No you can't. We often keep a few files undecided until the 15th, in case we get a whole bunch of declines in the last couple of days. I usually tell them, and keep them informed of the situation, but offers on the 16th or 17th aren't that unusual.
Should they at least update infomation about my application before april 15?