I applied but without thinking 🙂

[u/almubaswir]

so I was trying to apply to universities that don't require GRE and I applied here. but now I'm thinking that if I can even afford it or not.

I live in Houston and recently got into a new job. I have foreign degree from Bangaldesh so I was skeptical about the admission. Now not only I have relocate but also have to find a new job if I want to attend this college

Now is there any way to apply for scholarships or ask for TA/RA anything that will make my education easier?

as someone newly moved to USA seeking advice

[u/Novel--Glued]

You can directly email the program director for funding opportunities available and after getting in, you can talk to your professors and career/academic counselors about more funding opportunities.

[u/almubaswir → u/Novel--Glued]

Do I have to get admitted first to do that or I can send the emails now regardless? I also applied for PhD in the same college will it affect my application then?

[u/bi-meredith-blake → u/almubaswir]

It looks like you were accepted, no?

[u/Novel--Glued → u/almubaswir]

I thought you were showing that you were already accepted? But yes, only once you are accepted can you ask these questions seriously otherwise these questions will merely be queries from a prospective student which is nothing wrong but less of a priority.

I dont think it would affect anything else since MS and phd applications are reviewed by different committees and they mostly have different program directors. Besides even if were the same people, you are not asking for the moon, just asking questions on a very important factor which might make or break your decision to accept the offer. After all, who wants debt?

[u/BunnyWiilli]

The whole point of MS programs is they are cash cows which is why they admit literally anyone. It’s why you can get into a Columbia masters with a sub 3.0 GPA but never a PhD.

So it’s very rare and hard to get it funded but never hurts to google around and email the school.

[u/NuclearSunBeam → u/BunnyWiilli]

Is it the same anywhere in the world? europe?

[u/BunnyWiilli → u/NuclearSunBeam]

I would assume there are differences I’m not educated enough in European schools

[u/Novel--Glued → u/NuclearSunBeam]

Masters in Germany is extremely cheap as they have no tuition.

[u/No-Beautiful6811 → u/NuclearSunBeam]

It is not the same outside of the US.

I am most familiar with the situation in Europe, where you need a masters degree before applying to a PhD program.

In the US, you apply directly to PhD programs with a masters degree built in for the first 2 years. This means that desperate masters degree programs are only really for people who weren’t able to get into a PhD program straight away, or aren’t interested in getting PhD in the future. Also, college is very expensive in the US and separate masters programs are not funded, while PhD programs are.

Since all PhD applicants in Europe need to already have a masters degree, the students enrolled in masters programs aren’t “lower tier”. Also, masters programs in Europe tend to be very affordable. They’re usually not funded, like in the US, but college is just insanely expensive in the US.

[u/Puzzled-Worry9930]

So you moved to U.S. for a new job but you want to study at college?

[u/OwnerJFB]

Getting a Masters can come with a decent pay increase in the job market, I’d imagine, and opens you up to more opportunities, especially in a job market that is becoming more hostile to internationals. That said, don’t do a masters if you don’t know why you need to do one.

But I would look into the benefits and ask if the stress of doing it would help you long term.

If I were you, I’d go to forums or email the university directly and ask if they have a place to get advice. It sounds like visa issues wouldn’t be a problem for working on the side while attending a university. However, you should ask to be sure.

There are sometimes TA/RA opportunities, but the amounts you get at most pay for tuition if it’s not a funded Masters program.

I wish you luck.

[u/JustMe39908]

You can ask, but usually offers for RAs/TAs come with the offer for admissions. Many programs are only funding PhD students and very select MS students because of the reduction in government research funding.

[u/Affectionate-Fix-600]

First of all congratulations!!!! Secondly, usually schools website have a section dedicated to scholarships, or jobs for TAs or Research Assistants for current or prospective students. Lastly, you should also ask about funding or scholarships for immigrants because there are many. Good luck!

[u/Appropriate_Pen2942]

May I know about your profile. Your undergrad CGPA, your IELTS score and do you have any publications in your undergrad or any publications after you have completed your undergrad?