Gather your letters of offer and sit down at the computer to compare financial offers. Then, read about critically comparing campus and community resources between programs.
Financial Considerations
It is understandable that the state of today's economic markets may be putting dollars and cents at the front of your mind. Before looking at only the bottom line, take into consideration two important sets of costs: cost of attendance and cost of living.
Cost of Attendance
It's important to know that not all financial offers are the same. For example, at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, assistantship appointments include a monthly stipend, resident or non-resident tuition remission, and 79% of the student health insurance premium. The number of credit hours available for tuition remission will depend on the terms of the assistantship offer. For instance, some appointments cover 6 hours each term, while others cover 12. Summer tuition remission is also available in most instances.
However, what is covered by an assistantship offer can vary significantly among universities. Some institutions pay a higher stipend but require students to pay for tuition costs while others may only waive the non-resident portion of the tuition bill. In addition, your out-of-pocket costs will vary so you will want to pay particular attention to this when weighing your options. Start with collecting the total amount of fees: program and facility, technology, distance education, registration, lab, library, etc. Don't overlook the fees associated with getting to and from campus, such as the cost of a parking permit or bus pass.
It's important to also factor fellowships or other merit-based scholarships into your total financial package. The terms and benefits of fellowships vary greatly. You may be able to take your fellowship to any school you choose if it is awarded by a foundation or other entity. Other fellowships are awarded through a specific institution and are only applicable to your program of study at that institution.
Cost of Living
Consider the cost of living in each city in your comparison. We provide a look at how the cost of living in Lincoln compares to other cities. Using the city you currently live in as a comparison point, try a cost of living calculator. We recommend Best Places to translate your total income into a consistent scale. As you might have guessed, your money will go farther in Lincoln, Nebraska, than it will in Boston, Massachusetts. By using the city in which you currently reside as a comparison point, you will get an idea of the kinds of lifestyle changes you might have to make while attending graduate school in other cities. The calculator will provide costs of living indexes for food, housing, utilities, transportation, health, and other miscellaneous expenses.
For more details about the individual cities you are comparing, visit chamber of commerce sites or realtor sites (even if you aren't thinking about purchasing a home). These sites provide great information about the details of relocating and the costs of living in their city. For information on living in Lincoln, visit Lincoln's Chamber of Commerce and the city's most comprehensive realtors, Woods Bros Realty and Home Real Estate.
Think about the average cost for rent or median home price, energy costs, insurance prices, and even sales taxes, which can vary from city to city and considerably impact your monthly budget. Also consider the costs associated with moving from one city to another, which are rarely covered by graduate programs.
Comparing Offers
We've created a spreadsheet that will assist you in fairly comparing your offers and determining total costs and benefits.
Comparing Offers (Excel)
When completing the spreadsheet, be sure to enter the base offer of the assistantship or the total salary offered. Do not include any fellowship dollars in the spreadsheet yet — unless the funding is for each year of the program. Determine the costs for fees or tuition by credit hour by visiting the website for the university's student accounts office. Add the overall cost of living index by using the information provided by Best Places.
Campus and Department Considerations
Perhaps foremost in deciding which admissions offer to accept are the department and the campus. You've likely already researched the program and may have visited the campus and department, too. Now the challenge is to synthesize the information you've gathered. Your success in graduate school depends not only on your academic ability, but also on your environment.
Research opportunities, curriculum, faculty, and facilities are basic department considerations, but support structures, resources, and outlets for the assistance you may need will inevitably shape your experience. Take a step back and engage in a deeper analysis with these factors in mind, contemplating how each compares with your choices for the right graduate school for you.
- Know the nature of the research you will be doing as a graduate student. Will you be able to explore the questions that are of the utmost interest to you? Will the program prepare you for your intended career?
- It's critical to consider whether the department will provide the support and resources you need to accomplish your work and goals. Resources that could significantly impact your success might include weekly seminars, preparation or study sessions for qualifying and comprehensive exams, and assistance with creating syllabi and teaching.
- To improve your productivity and development, you will need a good relationship with your faculty advisor and the availability of appropriate mentoring. Will you work with faculty who can truly mentor you? What are the roles of mentor and student? Check out our mentoring guidebook and resources.
- Be aware that in graduate education, the potential for conflict exists in a number of areas: curriculum, funding, workload, intellectual property, access to information, and relationships. How does the department handle conflict between faculty and the students? Are avenues in place to discuss negotiable topics?
Don't forget to look beyond the department and consider the campus resources, too.
- Preparing Future Faculty programs, teaching assistant and international teaching assistant workshops, orientation programs, grant writers' seminars and workshops, and mentoring workshops for students and faculty are great resources for all graduate students.
- Individual interventions like teaching assistant observations, teaching documentation and curriculum vitae assistance, and mock interviews are tools that will help you be successful and are indicators of a vibrant graduate student community. Look for academic and professional development opportunities.
Community and Other Considerations
A major challenge in graduate study is that it often finds you already balancing your career and family. Different families have different priorities, but you should research the community surrounding the university that you're considering. After you've considered the campus and department and have a clear financial picture, add these elements into the mix:
School districts
If you have school-age children, children who will eventually start school in your new community, or are thinking about starting a family, it's important to research and compare school districts and individual schools. Standard and Poor's SchoolMatters offers comparisons of school districts and individual schools on several levels. If you are looking into schools on your own, ask for information about the average student-teacher ratio. What programs are available for students with special needs? How do students perform on national reading and math tests or college entrance exams? Alternatively, how many private schools are located in the area, and what are the costs for tuition? Visit school district websites like Lincoln Public Schools for detailed information.
Weather and climate
Another factor that could affect your decision is the climate of the area. Research the average number of sunny days the city experiences. Some cities are known for gray skies most of the year and that may affect your disposition. Other factors to consider include average winter temperatures and the average monthly energy costs for heating a home. Check with residents to see how much snow the city usually receives and how it affects transportation. On the other hand, how hot and humid does the city usually get in summer? How much does it cost to run an air conditioner? A city's climate may impact your clothing budget, especially if you are relocating from consistently mild temperatures to a city with either extreme. It is also helpful to know if the area experiences severe weather seasons and, if so, whether they affect homeowners' insurance rates.
Lincoln enjoys an average of 230 sunny days a year and offers a variety of festivals, outdoor sporting events and concerts, and even a popular marathon and half marathon. Many graduate students and their families partake in the local recreation and entertainment. While Lincoln does have its share of snow and colder days, many students relocating from milder climates say they have a renewed appreciation for the seasons and that it can be "good for the soul."
Public transportation
The location of a campus — whether downtown, in the suburbs or in a small town — affects transportation to and from campus. Ask about the cost and convenience of parking on campus. Also, research average traffic delays and commute times to nearby communities. Ask about rideshare programs that match people commuting to and from the same locations. Most cities have a public transportation system, but you'll need to research how close routes are to the university, how often buses or trains run, and when they end for the day. Check the weekend schedule, too: Some smaller cities have shortened, combined, or less frequent weekend routes. See if the university offers free transit passes or ask about a student rate.
Lincoln's public bus system, StarTran provides details about their services online and all enrolled UNL students receive a free bus pass.
For warmer days, research the city's support of bicycles, rollerblades, and skateboards. Many cities encourage alternative transportation with paved or groomed trails, and some provide "bike share" programs. The Great Plains Trails Network provides information on Lincoln trails.
Don't forget to factor the costs of registering vehicles and bicycles into your financial considerations.
Diversity
Beyond finding a community that is welcoming and has an appreciation of cultures, there may be specific things that you and your family will need to feel "at home." Do you prefer a particular ethnic style of cooking? Ask about local specialty markets where you'll be able to find the foods and ingredients you like. Restaurants, shopping centers, salons, even activity centers may be factors to consider with regard to your culture. Churches or places of worship in the community may also be something to take into account. If your contact at the university isn't familiar with what you're looking for, ask the university's ethnic studies department, international affairs office, or multicultural center, which may have guides or other resources.
Location relative to the airport
Graduate school may take you away from your hometown and your family. The proximity of the university to major airports is another element to consider. How much does it cost to fly back to your hometown at Thanksgiving, Christmas, or just so the kids can see the grandparents? Check out direct flights and which airlines fly out of local airports. Don't forget to ask about a shuttle service and the cost of a round trip if you won't have a car.
Lincoln's airport is only minutes from campus. The city of Omaha, 50 miles northeast of Lincoln, offers a larger selection of direct flights at Eppley Airfield. In addition, OmaLink provides daily shuttle service between Lincoln and Omaha.
Crime and safety
Safety is another issue to consider when relocating. A variety of resources will aid in your understanding of the communities you are considering. On a campus level, study university emergency procedures and resources such as emergency alert systems. For instance, at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, you can find resources at http://emergency.unl.edu, including information about UNL Alert, a service that provides consistent communication during emergencies.
For detailed crime statistics, university and city police department websites will provide the most up-to-date information. You can get the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's campus statistics from the campus police and city statistics from the City of Lincoln Police Department. These sites provide a wealth of information about Lincoln. For comparing cities, you may want to use Best Places. While this site offers more generalized statistics, be aware that the data may be a bit dated.
Culture and shopping
Fortunately graduate study will not consume all of your time, so another consideration is the proximity of campus to the places you will want to spend time unwinding. Ask about shopping centers and entertainment in the community. What kind of community events and festivals take place and how do they fit within your interests? Are there professional sports teams that play nearby? Also explore distances to nearby cities and other towns for a quick weekend or road trip. Your favorite restaurant or store may be just a short drive from the university community.
Lincoln offers cuisine from all regions and two large shopping centers, in addition to a number of community-wide festivals and celebrations. The central location also makes travel possible when students are ready for a weekend trip or a longer break.