Tamchel

À few things. I've seen many schools not having an application this cycle, so no one will apply or get accepted. This makes people go to other schools and in a time where they'd normally go to these schools that don't accept anyone this year, they now have to settle for their second or third choice. Reduced fundings. Many schools will have less fundings, meaning that they can't accept as many students. Some students also deferred last year and will start this year which also reduce available spots. Grad school is seen as a place of financial security and stability. In times of economic difficulties like now it can attract many people and cause others who would have taken gap year to apply earlier. Essentially :this year there are more people concentrated to fewer places who can accept less students than usual.

I had a phone interview for UCSD in early January, but I didn't get invited to the open house... did I fail to go to the next round?