Johnnyquest2009

Hi, Brandeis-Heller is a great program as well. Since it is tech. a social policy school it is ranked under social policy by US Newsweek etc. I would therefore disagree that it is not in the same playing field as AU. http://heller.brandeis.edu/ Heller is actually ranked 9th. However, if the other programs are cheaper I would recommend American. However, you mention cost shortfall per year. Are all these programs the same length? Also the cost of living varies from one place to the other.

I the last line it stated the number of people who applied overall. Then on the website it states the number of people who usually make it to the next round. Finally I found the number of people who are accepted in the end from Wiki. However, there is no mention to how many by program moved on etc.

I just heard today that I made it to the next round. According to Wiki, they accept 575 people, so we now have a 33% shot.

Moraurora, You never know. Cross your fingers and hope for the best. Any other offers?

Hello Curlygrrl, I wanted to follow up with your concerns. An applicant can rescind the offer at any point before April 15th. April 15th is the last day for those who have funding to make a decision. You could possible hear sooner if funds come available sooner. In regards to the school harassing you. They will not harass you if they do not hear from you before April 15th. If you do not reply before that date, they assume you are no longer interested in the program. In regards to rescinding the offer after the date. It is possible to rescind at any time. It is usually looked down upon, but I have seen many occasions where students never show up for the first day of classes but never informed the school. This is why most schools require a deposit. If an applicant is really not thinking of attending the school, they will no give money to the school to "secure" their spot. In regards to the other offer. Some times you can talk to the school and ask for an extension. Tell them your situation and that you are waiting to hear back from another program. However, if like the other program equally I would suggest taking the offer. If you think you like this program more, I would see if you could get an extension from the other school. It does not hurt to ask.

Hello Curlygrrl, Yes, the Heller School has a April 15th deadline. However, Moraurora applied the School of Arts and Sciences. These are two different divisions, two different admissions offices. Just because our program has a deadline of April 15th, doesnt mean the other program does. Moraurora, I only looked quickly at the deadlines. Here is the link where I found the Dec 15th deadline for the PHD program in sociology. http://www.brandeis.edu/gsas/programs/sociology.html Ph.D.: Dec. 15 M.A.: Rolling until class is filled, beginning Jan. 15. Applications received after May 1 will not be reviewed. Joint M.A. with Women's and Gender Studies: Rolling until class is filled, beginning, Jan. 15. Applications received after May 1 will not be reviewed. I am off to work now, but will message more later. Moraurora, hang in there. From what I see, no one has really heard much from your program yet. You still could be accepted. Keep us updated on when you hear. Also, be careful. Universities can read this website as well, and it is not hard to figure out who is who. Best Wishes, Basically if you have an offer the school cannot harass you as to your decision till April 15th but also students can lose their offer if they do not accept or reject their offer by April 15th as well. Once having accepted an offer you cannot rescind past that deadline, but you can before (even though some might consider that in bad taste). There is a whole forum on this national deadline on GradCafe. Johnnyquest2009 in the letter you got from Brandeis they allude to this deadline (or at least they did on mine). They also though noted that as we haven't secured funding that we can respond after this set date. This is why I am so concerned about my offer. In my case it’s a catch -22. I am waiting to hear about funding from Brandeis. Usually students don't respond if they are accepting or declining an offer till April 15th- so most likely the chances of securing funding won't be clear till after that date, meaning I would potentially lose the offer made to me from another program/school. I have no preference for one school or another I just don’t feel like the choice is mine to make but rather that under these circumstances they are being made for me. On the other hand I understand why such a policy has been put in place- those on a waitlist must be going nuts wondering if they have a shot this year or not. It’s all around a crappy situation to be in. Moraurora I am sorry I know none of this helps you out at all.

Yes, one can always email the coordinator. I did my time in that role when in grad school. Trust me, admissions offices check these sites as well and can usually figure out who is who. However, in regards to the sociology program. I dont see much "chatter" on the results website, except within the last day or two. So I assume that their decisions may or may not have gone out yet. What April 15th deadline are you talking about? Does the sociology program have an April15th deadline? It is possible, but I didnt look. I just think it is never good to call an admissions office rude because you have not heard anything.

I am a little confused. According to the website, the sociology dept deadline was Dec. 15th. However, you stated you did not apply for programs that had due dates in December. Curlygirl, Why is this considered rude? From what I can see, Brandeis does not give a notice date for sociology or for social policy. It is actually rude to say that a program is rude because it does not reply at a convenient time for you. And, yes I am being a tad rude myself.

Have you heard anything yet? Which program did you apply to? Hope all works out.

When were your other applications due? Most of my other applications were due in early December but Brandeis was due Jan 1st. Which program did you apply to?

Hello Curlygrrl, Yes to the Social Policy program. I just found out today as I am currently abroad. Did they tell you how many people actually received funding and what is the likelihood of being moved off of the waiting list? I just emailed the admissions office as well. I am praying that I am not ranked really low without any chance of making it off the list.

Hi all, I was accepted as well. Like you all without funding but placed on the waiting list. How did you learn your rank on the list?

Hello Everyone, I am a current research fellow. I saw that many people had questions in regards to the application review process. This is what I have heard from the Embassy here. 1. After your application is reviewed by your school, it is sent to the national office. At this point, a committee comprised of experts for your country and a committee of experts in your field of study will review your application. (However, sometimes, if your applying to a small country, your application will be reviewed by a committee of experts for a different/larger country in the same region) 2. At this point, you are ranked. The top applicants sent to the US Embassy in the country you applied to. This is usually 1.5 to 2x the number of spots available. 3. Staff at this embassy review and make their final decision. Some countries might choose the top picks or make their own decisions. Since, many of the smaller countries do not have a Fulbright Office/Officer, dealing with the applications etc falls to the Public Relations Officer. This is why it may take longer in some countries. For the Public Relations Officer has many other duties and I am sure Fulbright is low on their priority list. 4. Once the final decisions are made, they are sent back to New York, but then sent onward to the State Department for their final stamp of approval. I think they might do some type of security check at this point, and also make sure that your research subject is ok for them. This too is also a reason their sometimes might be a hold up. From my experience, everyone from one country will find out at the same time. It also seemed that various regions more or less found out at the same time as well. The decision will be sent in the mail (for most). Large manila envelop means your accepted, small white envelop means your not. I hope that helps

Also I was wonder if you had contacted any of the professors earlier in the application process? Did you initiate any type of interview/conversation earlier on?

Hello Harriser, May I ask how did they contact you to set up an interview? I just recently realized that the email account listed on my CV isn't working correctly. The email listed in my admissions application does work however. Granted, I prob. didn't receive an interview anyway, but just wanted to make sure I didnt miss any attempt to contact me. The waiting is painful

I just got my manilla envelope in the mail! I am Mongolia bound this September!! I am so glad the wait is over. I cant wait to go back to Mongolia. It has been three years since I lived there last. Best Wishes for all those still waiting.

I am getting nervous now. Jonathon A. stated that decisions were sent out on Thurs or Friday. I should be getting word tomorrow or tuesday. Fingers crossed.

I called to ask about Mongolia on Wed(4/14). He told me next week maybe. However, someone else talked to him yesterday (4/15) and he now said they would be sent out this week. Maybe that means other East Asian decisions may have come in.

I think when they say that they are making final decision on the number of grants that usually means there are more grants than orig. expected. My country said orig 5 in all the paperwork, but now NY office says 5-8. So I think this can only be a good thing.

Anyone have any updates on Asia? I wish this part was over

I feel for everyone in this long wait. I run to the mailbox every evening. I do realize that it might take alot longer . I spent time last night looking at the 2009-2010 board and many didnt hear until May. I hope I am not one of those.

Hi all. I decided to join. Anyone out there applied for Mongolia? Best Wishes