JSelfChicago

Masters or PhD?

Question: If accepted in a PhD program in the first wave of acceptances, how much time is one usually given to make a decision? I'm waitlisted at UChicago and fearful that I will have to make a decision if accepted into Northwestern before potentially being admitted at UChicago (assuming I am admitted from the waiting list). I don't expect to come off the waiting list at UChicago until late March or April.

They haven't issued decisions yet. I must check my email and the website 100 times a day. I'm hoping for any day now, although the last 2 years at least they released the decisions on Fridays. Once I hear, I'll be sure to post right away.

This is a tough process. I feel your pain. That you have a bachelor's in business is not necessarily a strike against you. Are you applying to the Master's level? Your GPA matters obviously, but your letters of rec and personal statement are huge. Have you established any relationships with professors at the school you are applying to? That makes a world of difference also. It's kind of late for it now, but that's what really matters. Hang in there. This is nerve-wracking, but you're not alone. If you stated that you wanted to work with certain professors at a university, you could send them an email and politely inquire if the admissions office/committee has contacted them about you, because you really want to work with him/her and so and so school is your first choice. It might not help, but can't hurt.

Ugh, NW is sick of people calling and not the friendliest on the other end.

Hopefully! I really expected them last Friday, since they we released on Fridays the last few years. What professors are you interested in working with?

Thanks! I'm going nuts waiting on Northwestern. Are you applying to the PhD also?

I wish you hadn't told me that. I've been checking my account every 10 minutes and was about to stop. Now, I'll be checking it for a few more hours. lol

Hoping so! The anxiety is killing me.

Just received this from the University of Chicago (Social Work, PhD) I've blanked out all names. Dear ______, I am writing to let you know that you have been placed on a very short waiting list for the SSA PhD program. You will be receiving an official letter soon from ______ _____ in the admissions office. The doctoral admissions committee saw many strengths in your application and is convinced that you are highly qualified to be a PhD student at SSA. ______ ____________, in particular, gave us an enthusiastic endorsement of your application. However, there was much competition this year from applicants with strong backgrounds in social work practice, policy, and research. About half the time we are able to make admissions offers from the waiting list. I won’t know how likely that is this year until late March or early April. I would be happy to set up a meeting to talk with you, if you would find that helpful.

Congrats on your acceptance. Generally, for PhD applications, I don't find the process as random as many people think. It's more cryptic. Each school has it's own culture and only 8-10 slots to fill with 300-400 applicants. Many people don't realize it, but at least 6 of those slots are filled before the committee even looks at the applications. Those 6 have started the informal process of relationship building way before they started the application process.

Sorry to hear about that. My advice is build relationships with professors as much as you can at the programs you really want to go to. That makes way more of a difference than people realize.

UChicago is in the final stages of consideration and should be sending out decisions very soon. I'm expecting one by this week. PM me for more details.

Did some digging on Northwestern Sociology and noticed the last 2 years, the first acceptances appeared on Fridays: (Feb 8th in 2013 and Feb 14th in 2014). This Friday is Friday the 13th! Good luck!