MammaD

I just emailed the department. Now I'm going to take a shower, do a load of darks, work on my thesis, and eat some expensive prosciutto I bought yesterday in an effort to cheer myself up (it works). I'll let you all know if I hear anything back.

Thanks, everyone. I wrote to the faculty member who I'm hoping to work with. Maybe she knows of some internal hold-up (and she's said more than once "let me know how I can help" but she's not on the adcom). My problem is I put on the application that I only applied to two programs at the one school ... so they know I'm not holding some other program up and they know it. I am, however, going to consider jobs if this doesn't pan out, so I'm definitely ready to know what's up.

Friends, It is March 18. My program website says: All Doctoral (Residential) applications received by December 11 will be reviewed by the admissions committees. We must receive all materials by this deadline for you to be considered and nominated for a Graduate School award. While we continue to review applications beyond this date, we urge you to apply early. Admissions are conducted on a rolling basis which informs the ultimate closing date for admissions. Decision dates: Most decisions are made between January 15 and March 15. The Graduate School will mail the official decision letter no later than July 1 for fall admissions. This was updated on December 4, 2012. Rolling admissions? Does this mean bad news for me at this point? Should I email the graduate student services coordinator who is listed on the other Web page that says "allow 4-6 weeks for review of your application" (it has been 12 since the deadline and I was in 3 weeks early)? I'm at the end of my rope here. What should I do? Should I email?

If I don't hear anything by Tuesday, I'm going to email. If I might not get a decision until July, I don't know how I'll relocate my whole family, buy/sell houses, etc. before school starts ... Just trying to breathe.

The website for my program said most decisions would be made available by March 15 ... but all students would be notified by JULY 1!! Losing my mind doesn't even begin to describe how I'm feeling. The results page had one acceptance to the Master's program (about a month ago) in that department, but not the PhD.

It's March 15. For the love of all things holy. It's March 15.

The person I want to work with (faculty) just got a NIH grant for $2.9M over 5 years. I am so excited for her and for our field! I want to get in even more now!

Hmm. For what you want to do, I'd think the DrPH would be better prep than the SD, but that's just me going on limited knowledge of that part of the field. Some advice I got was to look at the class requirements for both programs and choose the one that has the fewest that make you feel dread.

acdelco, I bow to you. I can't imagine going through this process again ... not so much because of me, but this uncertainty has been so rough on my family. I'm really inspired by your persistence and I look forward to cheering for good news that comes your way. And yes, March 15 is soon! My program says most decisions are made by March 15 ... and all notifications are made by -- wait for it -- JULY 1. If I'm in that July 1 pile, there will be nothing left of me! How on earth does anyone (forget the kids part for a minute, ANYONE!) pull off a move like that with 6 weeks' notice, then jump into an academic endeavor to end all academic endeavors? I am stressing out about whether 4 months will be long enough to sell a house ... I'm super excited for everyone with acceptances. Is there a way to make a doc or something when everyone knows where they're going? I know we represent many fields but I'm really encouraged by the idea of leading a profession with you all.

Just to show what a state I'm in: I'm going to an optional lecture tonight on logistical regression (biostats). I live an hour from school. I'm all "maybe I'll need this next year. Or maybe I won't. Or maybe I will. It'll stink if I won't." And so on. I don't even want to be in my own head anymore.

Sigh. Still waiting here, too, and I'm having a tough time staying positive. I'm encouraged that I'm not the only one still hanging, but very confused about what could take this long. I am thankful for the rejection I got, though -- people are still getting rejections from that program today.

There aren't many places I could have applied with my research interests, and I chose the school I did because a researcher/faculty member there has been very encouraging of the work I'd like to do (similar to the work she's doing). I also have to consider where I'm going to raise my 3 kids. There are other means to the end I seek, but a PhD is the most direct one. The uncertainty has been really rough on my family -- we can't make plans for anything about next year until we have a decision. Everything is on hold. If it were just me, I suppose I could apply to programs that are even remotely related to my area of research interest without regard for where I could end up, but I don't really have that luxury at this point in my life. I also don't think I could put my husband and kids through another season of uncertainty like this one has been. So, I wait, but I feel like at this point, my odds seem pretty slim.

Thanks, everyone. I'm trying to think in terms that it's not going to happen for me and a PhD. I'm older, and probably not up for putting myself through this process again if I'm not successful this time. I applied to 2 programs at 1 school, and was rejected from the other program in mid-February.

You all are wonderful. I am very thankful and hopeful for you all!

I'm totally serious. If we haven't heard yet, is there even still a chance? I applied to a Maternal/Child Health program that I haven't seen any results posted for yet. My numbers are strong compared to their averages from last year's enrolled class. I'm losing hope, though.

Is anybody still waiting on anything at this point? Is there any point in hoping? I've spent the last two days trying to imagine what is going to become of me (under the certain assumption that I'm waiting on a rejection). It's really bleak.

17-year Veteran here, and trying to go into a completely different field! Good luck to all.

This represents my biggest concern in this hideous process.

I got a rejection on a Sunday afternoon around 1:00 p.m.

Thanks for the encouragement. It is also really great to see some of you are still getting acceptances at this point, too! Alas, I've made arrangements to register my littlest for first grade here in NY for next year, and the band directors will be happy to keep my kids (my husband and I are/were both professional musicians). It feels a little bit good to let go of this dream. I know I'll find some way to make good somehow ... in the meantime, I have to finish this MPH, thesis/study -- there's plenty to stay focused on. I'll be sure to let you all know when the rejection letter finally comes, and I'll be checking in to see how you all fare and where you decide to go.

Still waiting on Maternal and Child Health PhD at UNC. I've pretty much written off any chance that I'll be in school next year.

Do these people know it's MARCH 3rd? What on earth could the hold-up be?

Awwww, right back atcha, Gael. You really brightened my day! Lots of big dreams in this group -- I'm eager for the waiting to be over and we can cheer each other on. My sort of OT good news: I launched my thesis research last week and it is HUGE already. It's a pretty involved questionnaire distributed via social media and it's getting a tremendous response from the study population. I'm super excited and my advisor thinks we have several options for publication and a real impact on clinical practice.

Do schools ever just not tell rejected applicants that they've been rejected? Maybe my fear of being in a trance in September, still wondering if I got in, isn't so far-fetched?

Yay mpheels! I'm glad it worked out for you! Me? I'm cooked. I can't take the waiting any more. Why would a rejection take so long, if that's what it is?