Goldie

I'll be there!

I called UChicago this morning since I thought it was strange that I hadn't heard anything yet. The admissions rep said my application was under "final review", whatever that means? But my point is, I don't think it can hurt you to call. They're certainly not going to decide to accept or reject you based on if you rang up admissions in mid-February.

I agree, it’s really difficult to get through this part, but I would suggest flipping your thinking about it. If I haven’t been rejected from a program, I assume it’s because I’m still in the running. Who knows if it’s literally true, but there’s a decent chance it is, and that helps me to be more patient with the process.

Me three! The Stanford Reject Club

Wait, did you reject the offer? I'd suggest waiting to see if they move you into a funded spot.

I haven’t been checking portals at all; I assumed I would get an email if anything was decided. Has anyone received notification of a decision only by checking the portals? Haha, something else to obsess over ?

So true! It just takes one!

I think everyone should keep in mind that a lot of the strongest candidates will be admitted to multiple programs, but they can only pick one! More spots will open up as those decisions are made. Additionally, many schools don't start sending acceptances until February. Don't reexamine your entire career trajectory until at least the third week of April. Also, I suggest you ask yourself if you're getting anything useful from these forums and the results page. If it's truly helpful, great, but if it's sending you into a tailspin everytime you check it, consider blocking the site (I use an app called Self Control for this). The truth is, no one here can tell you if you'll be accepted or not, or what you can do to improve your application, because we just don't know. Looking at this site will not change your status, your application, or your chances, and it also can't give you any information about your standing. It can only bring you additional info with which to compare yourself to others. If you find that to be self-harming rather than motivating (does anyone actually find it motivating?), you may want to protect your sanity and emotional stability by staying away until you get some concrete responses. Also, your acceptance and/or rejection is not a reflection of your intelligence or worthiness or future success in this field or in life in general. The admissions process is opaque and idiosyncratic, and it's nowhere near done.

I don't mind talking about my stats, but I don't want to post them publicly. Feel free to PM me if you want more info.

I can also claim one of them. Whoever wrote the thing about the owl post on the results forum, I can't wait to meet you! Accio PhD.