NervousPhDhopeful

You definitely could do that, but they might just give you generic advice. One of my current professors was the lead of the admissions committee at the program I applied to at the same school as my masters program. I asked her for feedback and she said basically "I'm so sorry. But there were 70 applications and I dont remember specific details of any one of them without looking at it again" What would probably be more productive is setting up a meeting with a professor with whom you'd like to work in the program of interest, stating that you are very interested in the program, previously applied and were rejected and that you would like to talk to them to get a better idea of what a good match for the program looks like, and what attributes they find valuable in potential candidates with whom they'd like to work. At your meeting you want to make sure the questions are thing they specifically could answer--so not generic "how much research experience should I have" or "whats missing from my statement of purpose"-- rather, things like "with your research in <subject> what kind of experiences have students had going in that was valuable to moving projects forward?" Or "when you're deciding whether a mentor/mentee relationship will be a good match, what sort of needs from the mentee/what sort of personality from the mentee works well with your mentor style?" Or "when you're reading a prospective candidates statement of purpose, what comes across in the letter that keeps you interested?" Or "I'm interested in working with you because of your work with <topic>--I want to do <similar/same thing> in the future, and your work has been a part of the literature that has kept me interested in furthering <topic>. I have <experience> already, and want to reapply next application cycle--what would you recommend I do between now and then that would make me a stronger candidate?" By doing this, you can then evaluate what is or is not in your experience or in your SOP that the professor said they really like to see--and you can get an idea of whether they'd actually be a good match. *And* you'd be more memorable to them in the next cycle. Just keep in mind when their final week is to when you email them and when you try to set the meeting up. They'll be busy since its the end of the semester. If you have current professors or someone else in the field with whom you have a good relationship, you might consider asking them if they can specifically take a look at your statement of purpose. And experience to give you specific feedback. This is just what I would do.

I GOT IN!!!!!!! I got into George Washington University's Social and behavioral sciences program. I am so so excited it's unbelievable. I was on the waitlist for about a month so I was getting nervous. Prior to learning I was on the waitlist this thread got me through a lot of stressing-- so thanks, all!

This made me feel a lot better, actually. My initial comment was supposed to be light-hearted, not frustrated-- though I see now that may not have come across. I'll make a note of it. I will also hold onto your comment during the coming weeks while I hope and will things to go in my favor to keep in mind that the decision for everyone else is as huge and difficult as it is for me. I wish you well on your visits and meetings!! and hope you're able to attend the program that fits you best!

Somewhere out there in the universe of public health SBS PhD applicants is a student who needs to take the other offer we both know you got another offer-- take that one, and say no to the program I applied to. I'm sure both of the programs are equally great, you got full funding for both of them, right? So just...take that other one. Sincerely, Waitlisted. (EDIT to add: this is intended to be a lighthearted letter to those making decisions. I do wish you all well, and hope your decision comes with ease, enthusiasm, and a positive outcome!)

I am going to grow old and die waiting for emails from admissions from the two programs I am waiting on. At least I am pretty certain I am rejected from one of them because I've seen them talked about too much for me to not have anything from them, but the other program is trying to do permanent damage to my nerves or something. I interviewed with them 1 month ago now-- I haven't seen anyone post acceptance or rejection to them, and I know people in the school but a different department so I know how they do the process at this school so I know that I am only waiting on the department or the admissions office at this point. final decisions will have been made at the end of January, funding awards from the school were given back to the department 2 weeks ago. I am just waiting on the department to tell the admissions office whether I'm accepted or not because people in other departments have been notified. I'm starting to suspect that maybe they made an offer to another candidate an are just waiting on that person to accept or reject so that they can know whether they can offer it to me...

Oh yes, if you go to the results page, that rejection that was posted is me! I got the rejection towards the end of the day on Tuesday. Weird you haven't gotten anything in either direction. Edit: I noticed you said "who interviewed" that's my bad-- I did not interview. So the silence you're getting while others received an acceptance could be that they are figuring out how to fund you, or if they can fund you. Good luck!

Hey, at least the number of emails I receive everyday has been cut nearly in half. LOL

First rejection. It stings, but I have to look at it as a good thing. It's the school I went to for my masters program in the state I grew up in, and there was part of me that knew that if faced with a choice to make between that and another program, I might just choose it out of comfort instead of prospects (not that my prospects would be bad with it though...) It seems as though my attendance there for my masters was part of my downfall-- which I will use also to make me feel more hopeful for the other school because I can assume, if not for attending there for my masters, I would have been accepted (even if that isn't true). UMich HBHE rejection-- it'll be okay. I still am waiting to hear from GWU with whom I interviewed, and Hopkins and Brown from whom I have heard nothing.

it would be funny if I weren't so stressed! lol...

Just received an email from Brown University. Subject line: "Welcome to the Brown University School of Public Health" First part of the email that I can see before opening it: "Dear xxxxxxx, Thank you for expressing interest in the Brown University School of Public Health." I open the email, nervous-- that sounds like a rejection, but maybe its to say they're giving me an interview? let's find out... It's an ad. for their school. "Our graduate programs are intentionally small, research-intensive, and supported by close faculty mentorship. Here are some facts and figures... Stay tuned for more emails, where we'll explain why these stats matter. In the meantime, we invite you to explore our graduate programs and research centers. If you have any questions, send us an email!" They have to know how misleading that is... as if I haven't been on edge enough... With all of that said-- anyone apply to the Brown University's social and behavioral sciences PhD program and hear anything?? Hopefully I'll be hearing back from GWU soon regarding the same program. Interviewed there 3 week sago and just eagerly waiting for something back.

I actually really doubt they don't advertise it just so that they get their application fees. They want the best candidates applying to their school. They want to be able to accept the best possible candidates. Advertising that funding is limited could deter potential candidates who would be an excellent fit. Why would they want to deter students from applying to their program??

from what I understand with Michigan's process there's a whole extra step applications go through before they get sent to departments to be reviewed so the process takes a little longer than others.

which GWU program did you interview for?

I know someone who is involved in the GWU admissions process. They have completed interviews and had to submit their nominations for school-wide fellowships and scholarships by Jan 31. once that decision is made they should be sending out acceptance/rejections.