jenali

It's not at all entirely clear that it's not the case. Does anyone know people who had a transcript requested and got rejected? Or people who didn't have one requested but got no letter as yet? I have about 10 data points. People who didn't get asked for a transcript got rejected, and people who did, didn't. But that doesn't seem to me like nearly enough to base anything on... (Yes, I got asked, and no, I didn't get a rejection. But I'm as paranoid as anyone, and I'm convinced my rejection letter got lost in the mail.)

Depending on what your program is, you won't get much in the way of government aid. That is, many PhD programs will cover your 'fully' (where by 'fully' I mean to a less than ideal standard of living, but you won't die either) such that you won't be eligible for much of anything from the government. Depending on what you're doing you'll have to revise your FAFSA to account for institutional $ to find out if you're eligible for much else. Good luck!

I am pretty sure getting a request for a transcript is good news -- for the same reason that calling references when you're looking for a job is good news. It makes 0 sense to request transcripts for people that you're certain aren't in the running. And purely statistically I know a lot more people didn't get asked than did in past years. What I'm not sure of is that not getting one is bad news. (If that makes sense.)

I had the same reaction. "In stage one, we got rid of the people lacking in basic competence, like you." I think I would be more hurt if I weren't doing something on the applied side of the spectrum. I know they hate that.

Fall of this year; I got rejected today. It's apparently a multi-round process. Their questions are really helpful for writing other grants, actually -- the sections correspond pretty well to what you'd want in most things. But it's probably the most competitive of its type. Debating whether to reapply -- I have two other things due in early March and early April that are much easier to get...

Aaaaaand rejected.

I think -- and maybe this is silly of me -- that none of these folks want to be transparent at all. They don't want us to know too much about the process because they don't want people to game it. That said, I agree with you -- if they can eliminate people already, why not say so? One thought -- rolling notifications might be more of a pain in the ass administratively than all-at-once notifications. I think they also don't do real notifications until like April or something. Let's all just hold our breath for a few months? I'm right there with you. At least I now know I didn't get the Fulbright IIE. But there's only like six other things I'm waiting on...

I know what you know. While you and I are bonding over all these grants, you wanna start a Wenner-Gren thread too? ;-) (They, I know, do crazy-ass rolling stuff and sometimes give you about four minutes to resubmit. Just cruel.)

Speaking of naïveté! Many, many, many of us ARE unionized. And most of our unionized selves are still getting paid < $20,000 / year (plus tuition etc.). The union, sadly, does not have magical powers.

Or they're requesting on a rolling basis as they get to the apps, in which case it means less than nothing.

Well, possibilities: 1) They're requesting extra material because some applications were vague or incomplete. 2) They've weeded out some small number and now want everyone else's stuff. 3) They've weeded out, I don't know, say half, and now they want to use this to help make decisions. 4) They've weeded out a much bigger number and want to make sure that nobody is lying before they give out awards. Maybe there are other possibilities, but these are the ones I've got off the top of my head. I suppose someone *could* call and ask about what percentage of people get asked for stuff, and what % get awards, and all of this ... but I suspect that will just piss them off and get no helpful information. Wait, I think?

I know at least one very smart, very competent person, who was not asked for supplementary material last year. I don't know many who applied though... Full text of email, minus identifying information: We are contacting you regarding your application to the 2010 International Dissertation Research Fellowship (IDRF) program. Please read the following information carefully. Transcripts As stated in the program Guidelines, applicants should be prepared to submit official transcripts at the request of the program. We kindly ask that you do so at this time according to the following guidelines: · Submit one official transcript for each graduate-level institution you have attended. You may submit official transcripts yourself, or request your institution do so. The transcript must arrive in an envelope sealed by the institution from which it is issued. · Do not send foreign transcripts. If you have earned a graduate degree from a foreign institution, submit a photocopy of your degree certificate. Applicants should provide an English translation, if necessary. · All transcripts should be sent to the address at the bottom of this email and postmarked by Friday, February 5, 2010. Sincerely, IDRF Program One Pierrepont Plaza, 15th Floor Brooklyn, NY 11201

they are definitely asking for transcripts. but i'll second the request for info - what % of people get asked? what % of those get money?