timespentreading

I feel like no one else is checking Grad Cafe as much as I am. It's a sickness. *refreshes page* 
 
 

As someone currently on a waitlist, my extremely-biased opinion is that if you're sure you won't accept there no matter what, letting them know ASAP is best

Notified by email because, classic me, I do not have a working phone, but I'm "in" at Brown, and I say "in" because I've finally caught on to the fact that this is not real life but a very cleverly engineered simulation, y'all really had me fooled, please wake me up now. 

I feel like no one else is checking Grad Cafe as much as I am. It's a sickness. *refreshes page* 
 
 

I feel like no one else is checking Grad Cafe as much as I am. It's a sickness. *refreshes page* 
 
 

I feel like no one else is checking Grad Cafe as much as I am. It's a sickness. *refreshes page* 
 
 

I feel like no one else is checking Grad Cafe as much as I am. It's a sickness. *refreshes page* 
 
 

I feel like no one else is checking Grad Cafe as much as I am. It's a sickness. *refreshes page* 
 
 

You know what's funny, there was also one lone Brown acceptance via phone last year on the board, and the rest came in 3 days later (via email I think). Wonder if that's happening again this year? You might well be the chosen applicant @Rani13 !

That would be me. My first acceptance and I’m thrilled.

Literally just made an account to ask everyone what on earth was going on down in Providence, but I guess there's my answer...

I should also mention the Collegiality/Funding paradox that is present in some schools. Some schools try to make up for their lack of funding by promoting and formalizing all kinds of "team building" type practices.  But believe me, nothing kills collegiality like bad and uneven funding.  
In other words, choose adequate funding 100% all day, not cookies or sandwiches in the front office every week, or a retreat once a semester.  You want everybody to be close to each other because they believe in mutual and communal support, not because an entire cohort was forced to live in a two bedroom apartment due to lack of funding. 
Not trying to be snarky, but sorry I've seen it. 
 

In asking this question, I would make sure you hear out not just people in their first stages of the program, but people at the end of the program. Usually the first several years of the program are the smoothest, since funding is often guaranteed and committee drama hasn't developed yet.  Many programs will roll out the red carpet for you, but it is the programs that will help you finish and professionalize that really show their worth.  And yes, this includes the collegiality of your fellow graduate students as well since they are often a crucial part of this by reading/workshop your drafts,  attending your practice talks, etc. 
Let's say you are a bit behind to due life reasons, is the program going to support you through this, or turn the screws on you? This is crucial information and you need to ask latter stage ABD students how their program handles them. 
I'm ABD at UCLA, and I still feel I am being supported and the program has gone to bat for me when it comes to things like funding.  My committee reaches out to me and tells me about fellowship opportunities, etc. 
I would say this extends to questions about programs in general.  Don't just ask 1st, 2nd and 3rd years how they are doing. Ask 1) People who have been there a while and are behind 2) People who finished really quickly.  
You'll get a some different perspectives, believe me. 

oof I just saw that and the nerves are back

I would imagine something like 'I'm honored, but I've decided to consider other offers' - perhaps worded a little less stiffly. It sounds quite tricky to phrase, but I think if you know you're not going to take a waitlist, it helps them out a lot (they can make another offer, they can possibly fly the person out for recruitment, etc). So they'd be default grateful for it. 

Yes; I think absolutely no one should feel obligated to rush any offer, waitlist or admittance - hell, take until April 14th if you need to! - but if you're sure, everyone benefits from you moving the process along.

As someone currently on a waitlist, my extremely-biased opinion is that if you're sure you won't accept there no matter what, letting them know ASAP is best

Thank you, good luck to you too! Fingers crossed for both of us!

My Rochester portal doesn't have this notice, so I would assume it's a good thing that yours does--most places notify acceptances first, right? Good luck!