itsavailable

A lab mate of mine applied K1 and received a rejection letter a few days ago (last week he said). I'm not sure how this fits in but, he received this letter much later than the other declination letters that seemed to taper off two weeks ago. Also it is funny that NCER guy won't return any calls ( I left a message as well). I guess fielding calls from eager graduate students was just too much! also if your labmate recieved a call on thursday then that means they weren't finished by the day ncer guy said they would be. So........i guess he was wrong?

You have a point here! I haven't heard of any K1's

My best guess is that they were never going to decline people verbally (Despite the assertions of NCER-guy). Who would want (or do) that job? It is likely they sent (or will send) the remaining declinations by mail. Has anybody out there been declined verbally? More than likely they are waiting on a handful of "yes" responses at which point they may award one or two more fellowships but probably most folks have or will soon have declination letters via mail. I also talked to NCER guy and while he is extremely friendly, I get the impression that EPA has been very limited in the information they have released to him. Also, it is doubtful that he wants to be the one tell everyone on his "list" that they were declined. So even if he knew all the awards were made and the remaining people will be declined, he may not want to share that with folks (its not really his job is it?). This is just my current thinking based on absolutely no facts and excessive over-analysis....

no call, email or letter here either....K1

I agree with stilrsnation's thoughts on this issue. Although, I think realistically there are probably a few candidates that will still be eliminated. More than likely, some folks will not accept EPA STAR because they may have accepted other fellowships. This would then free up a fellowship to give to other students who have not been denied yet but may be ranked at the bottom end of the stack. I can't imagine they would deny a student first by mail only to turn around and offer a fellowship later. More than likely the secrecy is related to offering first tier candidates fellowships, see who takes them, then offer second tier candidates fellowships and so on. At the end, some students will accept and others will decline and their may be a few left at the end that will still be denied.

Hi all, I haven't heard anything either. i do still think there is lots of hope! the announcement said that declinations would go out in April and May and awardees would be notified by May 30th. While I find it hard to believe anyone will be working at EPA on memorial day (the 30th), it is possible that they will continue to notify on monday. Also, I have heard of no one else being declined over the last week by mail. So i guess I am hoping that those that haven't heard will be awarded shortly. (wishful thinking perhaps!). I doubt they will continue declining people through June (although I guess it is possible). Just thought I would share some positive thinking on this issue.

Still haven't heard anything. applied K1. I'm not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing. I guess they are making the notifications?

I applied under K1 and have not received any news yet either. Its curious that all the applications were sent to internal review yet so many in K1 have heard nothing. Maybe everybody gets a fellowship this year!!

Applied under k1 toxic substances and pesticides--I haven't heard anything yet.