Keyz

I feel you, the thing about waitlists is that it just feels like you are in some sort of purgatory and I think that it makes the entire process more maddening because you have to endure up to 2 more months of waiting for some form of closure. But I'm really glad that you are waitlisted at your top two because it shows that you ARE good enough for this and have an extremely good chance of getting in, so I wish the best of luck to you and hope that you will get accepted off of the waitlist!

Literally me except replace "my current job" with "my last semester of undergrad."

I feel you, the thing about waitlists is that it just feels like you are in some sort of purgatory and I think that it makes the entire process more maddening because you have to endure up to 2 more months of waiting for some form of closure. But I'm really glad that you are waitlisted at your top two because it shows that you ARE good enough for this and have an extremely good chance of getting in, so I wish the best of luck to you and hope that you will get accepted off of the waitlist!

I'm in a similar situation. This is my third time applying. The first time I know I just didn't have enough research experience, second time was just a half assed attempt applying to just three places, and this is my first real go at it, but round 3. I have a good GPA, several research publications and posters, etc. and interviewed with my top 3 choices this year. I'm waitlisted at my top 2 and super stressed. At this point I don't know what I should do before applying again if I don't get off the waitlist. I'm just hoping for the best... 

It could simply mean that the POI is still in the process of figuring out funding, how many applicants they can offer acceptances to, etc. It doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t be accepted, there are many factors that go into the process. 

When you go to an interview, hear your POI talk about their research, and you just know that the match with your interests is PERFECT!
 

It could simply mean that the POI is still in the process of figuring out funding, how many applicants they can offer acceptances to, etc. It doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t be accepted, there are many factors that go into the process. 

Sending good vibes to all you guys. ❤️

I keep on going to the websites of my two top choice programs and just rereading the information over and over again because I am just SO DARN ANTSY. Does anyone else do this? It's not just me, right?!

Haha no problem. All of the students I've met have been very open about emailing them any questions and one even added me on Facebook at dinner so I had a direct way to contact them if I ever needed anything so hopefully you get some good answers!!!

Did you get your letter w/ the offer already? If so, then it's official as hell and you need to own it LOL! Your program was top 10-15 competitive in the country I would say (my opinion), so own that $h!t and go celebrate dude!!!!! No more impostor syndrome, you're in! Yes yoooOooooou ❤️ 

Not yet, but I was told it will be coming soon! Thank you for being so supportive throughout this whole process. ?❤️ You're awesome, and I'm so glad your hard work is paying off!!!
I'm glad you caught that I was joking lol! Thanks for your advice! I think I will reach out and ask them some questions.

As far as your question goes, I don't think it would be a good idea to bombard them with questions (I'm sure you're joking anyway lol) but its definitely okay to ask students questions especially if you've been accepted. 

I feel this. After I was waitlisted after one of my interviews I just decided to go for it and ask my PI if historically people have been taken off of the waitlist because I still really wanted to work with them. I want to ask what position I'm at in the "queue" (lol) but at the same time don't want to push things, but it also just sucks not knowing because other people have also mentioned receiving an email that simply states being "wait listed" without any mention of "top" or "middle." It's such a stressful time and add onto that that decisions can be made up until April 15th.... Oof. 

I don't think it's a risk at all actualy, if I felt more ballsy/confident, I wish I would've done the same!

I guess my original/irrational fear in doing this was that I didn't want to come off "too strong" to the PI lol, so I played it safe in my e-mail.

My dude with the 4 offers who posted in the results section (particularly for Duke).I had two and let go of one in a day. One of the programs I REALLY loved and still had to say no. 
Don’t be a dick. There are people waiting to hear back, potentially from the same places. 
Also if you’re trolling, stop being an a**hole. 
I hope you’re not trying to be a therapist cause the lack of empathy is frightening. 
 

This is a good point. If a program releases this data on their admissions outcomes, you can look into that (unfortunately a lot of programs don’t.) For example, one program I was looking at had to give out 18 acceptances in order to get a cohort of 6 last year, meaning they had gone to the waitlist many times. 

It's hard because each program is so different so it won't apply to every program. I know some programs offer acceptance to their top 5-6 applicants after interviews and then waitlist some of the other interviewees, sometimes even all of the other interviewees in case. Others will over accept interviewees and count on some acceptances being declined. Thats the thing: every program and institution is so different that there's no clear-cut answer.

No problem. For example, here's the aforementioned UCLA one.

I honestly think that it can be universally applicable. Deciding between two schools I feel would be okay with taking some time to figure out. But if you have 3+ I think that's when it becomes more of a 24-48 hours issue since most of the time you can narrow down to your top two programs easily and let go of any other offers you may have. 

I got in April 11th for my top choice lol - but was indeed waitlisted originally. 

As far as what I know, there is usually a decent chance that at least one person will turn down an acceptance if there have been at least two applicants accepted to a particular professor. But as you said, it varies so much year by year and by program as well as institution. Most people probably won't turn down an offer from, say, Stanford. I was told personally by a professor that most of the time they go back to the waitlist multiple times, but there have been years where applicants accepted immediately. Keep your head up though, being waitlisted is still a great chance to get in and I'm sure something will work itself out for you!

Didn't even know this was a thing, good to know!

i'll dm you with my impressions bc I already typed them up for someone else who couldnt make the interview haha so i already have them on hand