JSM_InspiredMe

Thanks for the advice, folks. I got off the waitlist at my top choice school and am planning on attending!

Hi everyone, I've been waitlisted at two Statistics PhD programs that interest me, and I'm not exactly sure how to proceed (both are top tier schools). I was wondering if anyone had advice for best things to do when you're waitlisted? I don't have any current faculty contacts at either school. I'm wondering if it makes sense to follow up with someone in the department or to reach out to the department head, just to emphasize my ongoing interest in the program. I was also considering having a current professor write to the departments on my behalf. But I'm afraid any communication might hurt me if it came off as desperate or annoying. Has anyone been in this situation? Do you have any idea what the "right" kind of outreach looks like? Also, for high caliber programs, is a waitlist generally a "soft no," or do people actually sometimes get accepted after being waitlisted? Any thoughts would be much appreciated. Thanks!