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

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pi_man
Posts: 6
Joined: Wed Feb 19, 2014 5:03 pm

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

Post by pi_man » Thu Apr 03, 2014 3:09 pm

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

mrfotih
Posts: 56
Joined: Wed Jul 06, 2011 6:02 pm

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

Post by mrfotih » Thu Apr 03, 2014 3:18 pm

The same situation with me, but I do not want to ask my 1st(higher profiled) school more money and look a money idiot.

pi_man
Posts: 6
Joined: Wed Feb 19, 2014 5:03 pm

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

Post by pi_man » Thu Apr 03, 2014 3:34 pm

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.

admissionprof
Posts: 369
Joined: Sat Feb 02, 2008 7:50 pm

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

Post by admissionprof » Thu Apr 03, 2014 7:49 pm

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.

mrfotih
Posts: 56
Joined: Wed Jul 06, 2011 6:02 pm

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

Post by mrfotih » Thu Apr 03, 2014 8:35 pm

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?

bfollinprm
Posts: 1203
Joined: Sat Nov 07, 2009 11:44 am

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

Post by bfollinprm » Thu Apr 03, 2014 11:28 pm

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.

TakeruK
Posts: 941
Joined: Mon Jan 02, 2012 3:05 pm

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

Post by TakeruK » Thu Apr 03, 2014 11:49 pm

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.

admissionprof
Posts: 369
Joined: Sat Feb 02, 2008 7:50 pm

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

Post by admissionprof » Fri Apr 04, 2014 12:30 pm

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.

mrfotih
Posts: 56
Joined: Wed Jul 06, 2011 6:02 pm

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

Post by mrfotih » Sun Apr 06, 2014 3:09 pm

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?



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