aebh615

I am struggling with this and would really love some input! Some backstory: I left a job last October, was hired at my current position in early December, and began in January. I applied to PhD programs during my "down time." Throughout the interview process, I was never asked if I had plans to go back to school (I know this because I was always nervous about how I would answer!) I didn't sign a contract, but my offer letter did say that most incoming hires at this level were expected to stay for two years. My state is "at will," so I can quit/be let go with little notice. I love my new company and job, and if I hadn't gotten a strong offer, I would have been happy to commit to a career here. I'm even interested in returning at a more senior level after getting my PhD. So now I'm not sure what to do. Should I.... keep my acceptance to myself and give the recommended two weeks notice in August? This would probably screw over a lot of people on my team and end my professional relationship with the company. We work on 6 month research cycles, so work and coordinating events are scheduled way in advance. tell them about my acceptance and risk being let go? This way they could plan around my departure and not waste time assigning me to projects I won't be here to complete. It could also mean I'm without income for a few crucial months before beginning school (which I really can't afford). It's a big company, and onboarding is expensive, so I'm having a hard time determining if they would cut their losses and just let me go instead of devoting more time to my career development here. I'd like to believe that my strong contributions in the short time I've been here will outweigh that, but I realize the people I work with directly might have little say in the decision. Help!!

Another wait list success story here!! I was actually pretty pleased with being wait listed by my top program after a less-than-impressive application cycle and hearing that the program had only offered three acceptances this year. I emailed after being wait listed just to say that it was still my top choice and I wouldn't make a decision until hearing from them. My POI contacted me to schedule a call about a week later, and offered me a spot while we were on the phone. I got an amazing fellowship offer a few days later. Like I said, I didn't feel so great about my chances this year, and was beginning to consider back up plans before getting off this wait list (my only other acceptance provided a generous first year fellowship, but it wouldn't have covered the full cost of living, and funding for subsequent years wasn't guaranteed). This totally feels like a one in a million chance that is the result of finding a really close research match and someone else happening to decline. PhD apps are SUCH a crapshoot!

I didn't think there could possibly be anything more agonizing than waiting on a response from my top program....until I was wait listed. This is worse. WAY worse! But, in a small victory, my POI told me that my SOP was "really compelling." Totally made my day!

I emailed admissions after seeing all of the results postings about POME offers already having been extended Their response: "the review process is currently underway and decisions have not been sent out to HDE applicants. We're fortunate to have so many qualified applications so we appreciate your patience at this time. Decisions are expected between March and April. "

Just logged in and found my admissions decision through the online portal, didn't get an email (or at least not yet). I'm waitlisted -- better than an outright no, but only slightly. I hope someone takes advantage of another offer so I can sneak in!

@CIShopeful - I wouldn't count on it: https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2016/02/11/berkeley-announces-major-strategic-planning-process-address-long-term-budget-issues I was really hoping for an acceptance here to use as leverage for funding at a slightly lower ranked program; it would take a miracle fellowship to make Berkeley a feasible choice for me financially.

Judging from the past years on the results board, this looks like the Berkeley MO -- anyone who's rejected will likely see "submitted" until March/April, when it's updated to a rejection. It could be a sort of waitlist for second round picks if admitted students decline, but I could also see them just not wanting to put resources into updating rejections until they've taken care of the admitted students. Kind of crappy to be in limbo as a likely rejected applicant, but not surprising based on the volume of applications they receive. I wouldn't be surprised if this is the standard response from the admissions office. You'd likely get better information contacting a POI directly.

I'm still waiting to hear back from three of the schools I applied to, but since I have an acceptance, I'm really only waiting to hear back from my other top choice, which is also where I went for undergrad. I think I have gotten more emails about reunions, alumni events, and university news in the past two weeks than I have in the entire five years since I graduated! It is terrifying, then a relief, then a disappointment every time I get yet another email from the school that is not about my PhD application. If they could just stop sending me anything until they make a decision, that would be greaaaaaaaat

To use some of the language of my field, you seem to be approaching this from an achievement (I must get an acceptance!) rather than a growth (I must engage in activities that further my educational goals!) mindset. There's nothing objectively wrong with any of the choices you outlined here, but it sounds like you need to think about your long-term career goals and determine what action you should (or can) take towards them right now. If this is true, then what's the rationale behind applying to additional Master's programs? Is it because you could more quickly reach your career goals by enrolling somewhere--anywhere--by fall 2016? Would one of these programs substantively add to your application and make you a better PhD candidate later? As someone with a psych background, I know many career paths are heavily limited without a PhD -- can you get where you want to be without one? Again, no right or wrong answers here, but it does require some introspection and realistic consideration of your options. Finally, don't throw a sloppy, last minute application together just for the sake of trying to salvage a disappointing application cycle! If you can thoughtfully prepare applications for programs you identify as strong alternatives to waiting another year and re-applying to PhD programs again, then do it. Good luck!

I think this is one of the most helpful posts I've seen here. Thank you for this perspective!

Also waiting on Berkeley, I applied to the Human Development & Education PhD program. From previous years on the results board, it looks like acceptances have gone out in late February/early March, and rejections don't go out until late March/early April. @SilentObserver, did you interview prior to your acceptance?

Seeing lots of movement on Higher Ed at Curry on the results board (congrats to those that got good news!!) Just curious if anyone who applied to EP-ADS has heard anything beyond phone interviews a few weeks ago?

I took the bait when I was offered a spot in a Master's program with 1/2 tuition funding when I applied to clinical programs a few years ago. I would NOT recommend it! I would advise extreme caution anyone considering taking such an offer - as another user said above, it was a complete money grab. I was told that I could work with the professor I had interviewed with (wrong) and that the funding would cover me up to three years if I re-applied and was accepted into the PhD program (wrong - I didn't end up applying as my interests shifted to educational psychology, but this was the case with another student in my cohort). It retrospect, it was a very predatory approach and took advantage of how low I was feeling after being rejected from the program. Interestingly, they also offered to consider me for their developmental PhD track and I declined because I was so set on clinical at the time. Developmental is closer to my interests now, but I would be so miserable to be stuck in that department for 3+ more years. Sometimes it really does feel like things happen for a reason.

I contacted admissions about the timeline for joint programs - @EdNeuroGrl this might be of interest to you! Your application is currently being evaluated, and you should have a decision by the end of the month. The lack of invitation to the visitation weekend isn't necessarily an implied rejection. Each program is different in its decision timeline, and especially because this is a joint program, they have a few extra hoops to jump through!

How strange - I don't have a rejection (and I've been checking the website religiously) but I haven't heard anything re: interviews or visit days. Am I so rejected I don't even warrant a formal rejection?! So frustrating!