jash

Same! Feels good but now I'm nervous about the next 5 years lol We've got this!

AMEN to not having to go through all this again next year! We're going to grad school wooo - maybe we'll all meet up at conferences one day Best of luck all!

At least you have the acceptance to fall back on in case you have to wait until the 15th to find out from your dream school! Good luck!!

I've heard that if you haven't heard from your top school(s) this week now is a perfectly acceptable time to ask. Especially post interview. Found out I was on a waitlist after reaching out last week, got an emailed acceptance last week, I get the feeling (especially if you interviewed) they already know by this point. I assume every school that hasn't contacted me yet either has me on a waitlist or isn't planning to contact me to reject me. Shrug.

This Winston Churchill Quote seems apt, not only while we wait now, but also after we're accepted and trying to get published, and eventually after we've graduated and looking for tenure. We've got this everyone! Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm. -Winston Churchill

I'm not applying for OB but students in a different program at USC have told me that if I don't hear anything by the end of next week it's ok to reach out with an email to politely check on the status of my application. Good luck!

I was told not to apply to schools I didn't want to attend. I say that to suggest that if you KNOW you don't want to go to that school, it may be bad form to go with the hope of transferring out. These communities are small and they all talk, so that could backfire. To your first question, first off sorry to hear you've been rejected by your first choice! It can't hurt to reach out and ask why. They all say they can't provide direct feedback to everyone but if you mention that it was your first choice they might be willing to give you some information. Next you can ask to be added to the waitlist (one of my recommenders said to do those things if I don't get in this go around). Lastly, instead of immediately attempting to get into a masters program maybe try to find the professors that you really want to work with in that program and reach out. Talk to them about their research, see if you can work in their labs, and eventually ask them for advice on what might make you a more compelling applicant. That was advice given to me by a separate recommender to get research experience after years in industry before applying. Hope you find their words helpful and good luck!

Then again...…. just how "short" are these school short lists I wonder...….

Just had a moment of "perspective" that I thought I'd share. I'm making myself the tiniest bit crazy checking this and other forums/results. The REALITY is, between my first interview and what will likely be my last, IT'S BEEN 3 WEEKS. That's NOT a lot of time. Also, by the end of NEXT WEEK, I'll very likely hear from school(s). If not, I'm well within my rights to 1) check in on my application or 2) assume I'm somewhere on the "not quite waitlisted so... maybe" list. I definitely underestimated the stress everyone talks about going into this waiting period, but all in all... it's gonna be fine. For all of us, no matter what.

Congrats! I took the GRE and was shy of what several schools that interviewed me posted as their average. That said I don't have any acceptances (or rejections for that matter). Take from it what you will.

As I understand from the schools and people I've spoken with, they cannot "force" a decision once an offer is extended prior to mid-April. That said, as many of the schools are fighting for the same talent they interview and extend offers to their short list candidates, specifically to those they expect will accept. They often dangle a carrot to accept sooner rather than later so they can move on to their "second tier" applicants and extend offers if needed. Anyone please jump in to correct me if you've heard differently.

Interesting! So when you told the schools you had a deadline they asked whether you would say yes before accepting you? I've gotten some "good looks" but no acceptances. Hopefully that changes by the end of next week. Here's my struggle... let's say the best case scenario happens and I get in! I haven't spoken to students at every school I've applied to yet, and I certainly haven't visited every city. If I have 1-2 weeks to make a decision and end up getting several acceptances what's best practice in making a decision? Do you have a top school in mind already or how are you deciding if you don't mind me asking?

What acceptances have you received if you don't mind me asking?

?? You know.....this "waiting" thing would be a lot easier if you didn't have to stay plugged in for potential interviews and such. Can I just go to an island for 10 weeks? Maybe get an envelope when I get back, awards show style, with my acceptances and rejections all listed in one place? No?? Well I tried...

Yep, 3. I'm excited I love talking about research ideas. Hopefully they like our ideas and best of luck to you!