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[aus1983]

Hello,
I am in a strange situation now. I got admission into two equally good PhD programs, lets say, A and B. School A offered me partial funding (about 85% tuition waiver) in March itself along with the admission mail. Another school (school B) just gave me an admission without any funding, at that point of time (around April 1st week).

I had to inform my decision about joining school A by April 15Th. Since A was the best option (with good but partial funding), I sent them my confirmation about joining.

In the last few days, I got a funding offer from a Professor at School B and I got the RA-ship letter with full tuition waiver and monthly stipend. I am yet to accept/deny to the prof at school B; may be, in 2-3 days.

In terms of research both are highly reputed. School A has a lot of people who work in my area of interest. In School B, its only this professor. Even her work is not very closely related to what I want to do in my PhD. But, if I join, I will be getting money and not have to worry about it at all. 

I am more inclined toward school A because I got attached to it in all these 3-4 months plus nice weather, big city, close match in research. But, I only have partial funding. I contacted a lot of profs in school A, every one told they will consider me in future, but no one gave any assurance.

Now, here are my questions:
1) If I want to go for School B, can I still do that? If so, how should I go about it? I have already confirmed school A about joining.

2) Should I contact graduate admissions chair at school A and explain that I really want to come there, but I have this problem that arose lately?

3) Should I just stick with school A ?

Your advice is greatly appreciated.

[msparticularity]

It's dangerous to go to a school with only one faculty member who could possibly advise you. That person could leave (or die--I know someone who experienced this), or you could just hate him/her.

The question of whether to go with partial funding is highly field-dependent. If you are in most humanities fields, it is a bad, bad idea to take on debt to go to grad school. However, if this is a program where grads get good jobs immediately, then it might be worth it. You might also find out what percentage of their PhD students manage to get additional funding after the first year, supposing that they do well. In some programs that is common, while in others it is nearly impossible. 

[midwestgrad]

You have a lot on your plate right now, and a great number of factors to consider. 

First, what do you mean by "partial funding"?  Is it just an 85% tuition waver with no stipend?  Or is it 85% tuition waver with a stipend in addition?

Ceteris paribus, you are in the wrong to go to B and renege on your offer from A.  But if A's offer is really so lousy that it comes with no stipend at all, then I'd say you have solid ground to renege anyway.