Await

I started this thread with hope, but here's my update. May the rest of you have better luck! I think the longer it takes for you to hear, the better! End game for me. Received the standard email directing me to a decision on "ApplyYourself".The decision began "We regret to inform you. . ." When I saw the email I figured it was bad news on the heels of the "high yield" email from above and the fact that the original waitlist decision said we'd be notified after May 15th. I also read a tweet (oh yes the admissions person is on Twitter!) around April 15th commenting on having 40-some people at the admit weekend, which is close to the target program number. From the letter it sounded like they're not going to the waitlist at all this year-- which is quite different than last year, when they took 11 people. Makes applying next year a bit more nerve wracking. . . But there is a blessing in disguise! I had started to think that a different program (well they're considered "tracks" within the M.Ed) is a better fit for me. And now instead of being anxious about that on top of everything, I have plenty of time to figure it out! At least they make the admissions process easier when reapplying. . . And to end on a personal note: I got engaged this winter, so it has been a very happy spring with the exception of this. I'm surprisingly relieved. And of course my fiance is happy to have me stick around. I might just be taking off immediately after our wedding NEXT summer. . . For your sake I hope I don't see you on this forum next year, but all the same, it would be fun to recognize some names. I've been surprised by how supportive, insightful, and just damn good people have been here. Thank you all for reading and especially for commenting! Best of luck to you!

End game for me. Received the standard email directing me to a decision on "ApplyYourself".The decision began "We regret to inform you. . ." When I saw the email I figured it was bad news on the heels of the "high yield" email from above and the fact that the original waitlist decision said we'd be notified after May 15th. I also read a tweet (oh yes the admissions person is on Twitter!) around April 15th commenting on having 40-some people at the admit weekend, which is close to the target program number. From the letter it sounded like they're not going to the waitlist at all this year-- which is quite different than last year, when they took 11 people. Makes applying next year a bit more nerve wracking. . . But there is a blessing in disguise! I had started to think that a different program (well they're considered "tracks" within the M.Ed) is a better fit for me. And now instead of being anxious about that on top of everything, I have plenty of time to figure it out! At least they make the admissions process easier when reapplying. . . And to end on a personal note: I got engaged this winter, so it has been a very happy spring with the exception of this. I'm surprisingly relieved. And of course my fiance is happy to have me stick around. I might just be taking off immediately after our wedding NEXT summer. . . For your sake I hope I don't see you on this forum next year, but all the same, it would be fun to recognize some names. I've been surprised by how supportive, insightful, and just damn good people have been here. Thank you all for reading and especially for commenting! Best of luck to you!

Wow, I got goosebumps over this news! Congratulations! The fat lady has sung to the tune of $$$$$!

Sounds like the best possible position you could be in. Given that it's still early, I'm sure you'll get in! But yes, don't pop the Dom until the final decision comes-- mostly because getting the affirmative is truly something to celebrate! Good luck kaybee!

Boobs!

Hi, I wrote this in a huff so I wasn't clear: I didn't reference that connection in my application at all. I referenced it here because I was just saying it's a shame he died when I was young because he would have been a great person to write a recommendation as he'd know me AND the program well and could speak to the fit. And there is a family expectation-- mostly from my grandmother. I don't think things really work on the connection-system anymore. Or at least I would like to believe that. As for my other recommendations: They know me well. I know what they had to say. And they have the kind of credentials that make them reliable, qualified sources. I actually think my essay was the strongest piece of my application. The weak spot is that I am a career-change candidate. I'm bummed out because it's a sort of Catch-22 situation where it's hard to break into the kinds of jobs I want to do without the degree, apparently hard to get the degree without those kinds of jobs . . . And in terms of education programs, I could probably help myself get in next year by getting a sex change.

Response to my update letter (which they welcomed since I applied at the end of December and a lot has changed since then): Thanks again for sending along this update. While we have so far had a good yield, we have not yet made a decision about any of our waitlisted applicants. If it turns out that we are unable to admit you for this fall, I once again want to encourage you to reapply this winter. Does "A GOOD YIELD" jump out at anyone else? Sounds like they might only be taking a couple people off the list. . . And so the agony continues. The last time this person wrote to me he was much more friendly (and lengthy!) and person said that they might even take people off the waitlist before the 15th if it looked like they weren't going to hit their target number. Guess that didn't happen. Tough year for grad school admissions. . . I had stellar recommendations (one from a Pulitzer Prize winner! another from someone who has written about 10 recs for the same school and every person has gotten in), a 3.7GPA from an Ivy, above the average GREs for the program, and from everyone who read my essay-- a compelling case, story, and read! Ugh. . . And to make matters worse, a family member got his PhD from the same school, started one of the programs there, and taught there for decades. But he died when I was 10, so no recommendation, but still the family expectation. . . just feeling great. Thanks for reading.

i think unless you make the news (in the infamous, not famous way), then you're fine as long as you don't get into a fraud situation like twocosmicfish mentioned above. i also think grad school tends to draw smart, overly-reflective people who tend to be hard on themselves and that the application process doesn't help. i'd like to say, "lighten up!" but then I'd be a hypocrite ; ) but seriously, make an effort to envision your new life at grad school going great just before you fall asleep each night. and maybe get a massage!

If you've gotten in off of a waitlist (I see you on the results page!) please share your victory here! There are a lot of us who need some vicarious excitement. And if you think you influenced the adcom decision in some way, do tell! Congratulations. . .

The original request was to be thoughtful. . . Which includes not only letting go of offers you know you won't accept, but maybe even being thoughtful in your reply here. I'm on a waitlist and the worst part about it is the utter lack of control. I viewed this post as an attempt to influence (in an abstract way) what at this point feels like the force of fate. Giving a slight push back. . . And of course there are people out there treating this as a game. It happened to me in high school. One of my best friends applied to my top choice school "just to see" if she could get in-- actually said she'd never go there. This happened to be a school that explicitly stated they compare applicants from the same schools. While I thought I was the better fit for the college (in part because I actually knew everything about it!) I was up against the valedictorian who was graduating at 16. She got in. Maybe I wouldn't have anyway, but it was terrible to have to wonder. . . Anyway, I think this process induces paranoia on both sides. Those on the waitlist worry that there are people out there hanging on to offers for no good reason. Those with the offers are worried about making the wrong choice or sealing the deal for one reason or another. I hate that the answer to almost every question on here is "be patient. be calm. think about the other parts of your life." but it's usually the best response.

I posted this in the Ed forum as well, but figured more people would see it here: I'd love some outside opinions on my dilemma (emphasis on opinions as I don't think there's a clearcut answer): I am on a waitlist for the one program I applied to (this is for a master's). At first I was devastated, but after some investigation it seemed promising that I could be offered a place. I have spent a lot of time thinking/researching more about the program, and the school in general, as well as what I would like to do there and after graduation. After some serious reflection (and some changes in my life) it dawned on me that the waitlist is a blessing. This time in limbo has allowed me to realize there is a different program within the same school that suits me better-- maybe the admissions committee even saw that. Thinking about my essay, it makes more sense as an application to the other program. So maybe I won't be offered admission from the waitlist, in which case I'll apply for the other program next year. BUT! Here is where I need your opinions: Do you think it make sense to contact the grad coordinator of my current program (I have emailed with him before) and inquire if I could attempt to switch tracks now and contact the program coordinator for the other program? They sometimes allow admitted students to do that, even thought it's rare. Is this a stupid idea? I'm just thinking that if I'm offered a spot I would take it, it's just that the other program is a better fit. . . but in terms of my personal life this year would be a much better year for grad school, so I am also wary of hurting my chances of getting off the waitlist. I can take some of the same courses if I an admitted to the first program and ultimately, the degree is the same, but the focus could be better tailored to my interests if I could switch tracks. Thoughts?

Hi, I've worked with people at ITP before and they were all fantastic, well-connected, and smart. I think the program is pretty tight-nit, reputable and growing. The facilities are nice too. The first thing you need to do though, is get with your people! You should start reading design blogs (and the websites of firms like IDEO or wherever you might want to work) and go to events held by PSFK, go to Pecha Kucha nights and just talk to people in the design world about where they studied, interned, what they do, and how they got their current job. The design world (especially in NYC) is competitive and you can only be helped by who you know and where you go! http://www.pecha-kucha.org/cities/new-york http://www.psfk.com/ http://www.ideo.com/ And a great blog to get your head in the game (written by big guns, although more graphic designers, they cover a lot of ground): http://designobserver.com/index.html Hope that helps. Good luck and have fun!

I second HisRoyalHighness on contacting the GLBT group on campus. He also shouldn't be afraid to try Craiglist in the Bay Area or be afraid to talk about who he is and an ideal roommate on a campus housing board. Another option is for him to arrive early, sublet for a month and get involved in volunteer activities at Berkeley or in SF (the opportunities abound!) and maybe meet a great roommate. I think it's hard to communicate just how different (as in how far ahead) San Francisco and the Berkeley campus is from the majority of the U.S. in this regard, even major cities. I'm sure your friend will love UCB. I lived in SF for the past 3.5 years and have several happy homo friends at Berkeley!

Congratulations! I'm presently surprised that I'm vicariously happy for you ; )

April 15th sucks. THIS, Tax Day, the Titanic Sinking, Abraham Lincoln dying. . . my birthday. I've even been hospitalized on my birthday. It tends to be a bad day. (On a waitlist, feeling a little pessimistic. Can you tell?)