BSHopeful

I don’t actually know if you have to be officially admitted to be considered. The programs/departments rank their top applicants for Gates, and I think there is an assumption that if you are ranked as a top candidate you will be admitted eventually even if the paperwork isn’t yet complete. I don’t think you are precluded from being considered because you haven’t yet received your offer. I could be wrong but it would be pretty illogical of them to ignore potentially wonderful applicants because one degree committee was slower than another.

Do you know when in person interviews actually take place in DC? I’m traveling in the Middle East for 2 weeks in January and it would suck if I couldn’t go in person. (I know this is probably an academic question because the odds of getting an interview for Gates is so small...but figured I would ask.) Also I followed up with the program administrator on the status of my app, and she replied within 30 minutes that she would check on it. The next day my status changed to under review by the degree committee because she followed up (I think.) In my experience my program has been super responsive, I think it varies a lot program to program...