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Await

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Everything posted by Await

  1. Start a thread on here with your program name as the title and see if anyone else has info (or can commiserate)? In the end, I doubt your app would get thrown in the reject pile just for inquiring, but you know, "patience is a virtue" (I'm waitlisted, so this is my mantra).
  2. Hi Whitneyy, sorry you're joining our club. A lot of waitlist thoughts have been shared here: viewtopic.php?f=8&t=16564 In the end, I think it varies a lot by program (I have researched this all too much in the last 10 days). For example: Some programs have "silent waitlists", some programs require you to return paperwork accepting your spot, others are a mystery. However, I got a lot of information about how the waitlist works (at the one and only program I applied to) from emailing the graduate coordinator for my cohort. He was exceedingly nice and I felt empowered by my new knowledge. In my case the AdCom actually reconvenes in April to go over the waitlisted applications once again-- so if your program happens to work the same way, the kind of update you have could only help. It's a second chance. Anyway, as you'll see from posts in the other thread, most people recommend expressing interest in the program-- and being polite, but not desperate!
  3. Await

    Waitlists

    Hi longshot101 and skately: As for my inquiry email to my track's grad coordinator that got a nice response: I tried to keep it brief, but it was a few paragraphs. First I thanked them for being considerate in the waitlist letter and expressed my interest in the program and willingness to wait. Then I asked the he could shed some light on the waitlist process, and asked several specific questions, including questions regarding the cohort this year. I also offered to send several different kinds of supporting materials and welcomed his suggestions. In terms of tone I didn't say, "Can you please tell me my place on the list?" but instead asked if it was ranked and if they could share statistics from past years (no specific info came on that front but I was surprised by the fact he told me that waitlisters could start hearing now when I had officially heard twice it wouldn't be til May 15th, and that in the past they have extended offers to the waitlist before hearing back from admits if they don't think they're going to reach the target number for the class). I believe I also used the word "protocol". That is to say, I was pretty delicate and not demanding. I also shared a little bit of personal info. It took him a couple days to reply to me, so at first I worried that it had been off the mark. But I think part of the reason his response was so warm (and this is just my interpretation) was that he was expressing that it was good to finally hear from me. I realize now I should have been talking to him, not the admissions person during the application process. I also wish I had emailed the woman I would like to be my advisor. It turns out that he and she are the ones making the decisions on the waitlist. Admissions is no longer involved. (!!!) And I only know this because I emailed him. In fact, the admissions person I emailed (and had met with in person) told me to forward any updates to him and he would submit it to the "Ad Com" (keeping up the barrier to entry!), but the grad coordinator of my program told me to directly email it to him. I am PRAYING that the coordinator was trying to send me a message of hope with all the extra information he provided, but you never know with this. And it all still depends on a certain number of non-acceptances of course. Hope that helps you guys in some way.
  4. for some perspective: plenty of people envy you. for example: me. i would be elated if i found out the waitlist i'm on (for the only program i applied to) was just me. you'll get in. and probably soon. update this thread when you do!
  5. here, here! And yes, thanks for posting! (writing from waitlist hell, staring up at cloud 9 longingly)
  6. Yes. I thought hearing back would bring relief, but no. I pray for you not to get waitlisted. My program told me I could be hearing back from them between now and AUGUST. What a relaxing summer!
  7. Await

    Waitlists

    Hi guys, I've heard, repeatedly, that's it's entirely acceptable to email. For one thing, the school is interested in you, so it's a bit different now than when you were one of hundreds of applicants. I got what felt like good news today. After being waitlisted on Friday at 5pm (on the dot)for a master's program I took the weekend to let myself run through emotions, etc. and emailed 2 people at my dream school (the only program I applied to). One person was the admissions officer that I had met with and communicated with throughout the fall. The other was the program coordinator. The admissions person wrote a lengthy note back to me that day, which was very kind, but he was very reserved and a bit vague. However, I heard back from the program coordinator today who was very warm and had some new information to share. For one thing, he thanked me several times for getting in touch and said that they started offering spots to people on the waitlist as soon as NOW. He also said that if they feel they will fall short of their target number, even if it is BEFORE they hear back from all admits, they will start notifying people from the waitlist. This is different in what it said in my waitlist letter and what I heard from the admissions person-- both said that the earliest one could expect to hear is May 15. So I'm holding out some (potentially false) hope that the program coordinator knows my name and has my application earmarked. Very wishful thinking, but in the end, I think the point is that there will most likely be a positive outcome to your inquiry!
  8. I've wondered the same thing and don't know the answer. Same situation as you too.
  9. Hi- it's possible! In the Ed forum someone got a Saturday delivery from UPS-- acceptance packet from UPenn.
  10. Await

    Waitlists

    Definitely call or write or both! Maybe call so that your questions are all specifically addressed and then send a short email thank you so that your name is on the record. I have repeatedly heard that the most important thing to do is express your continued interest in the program-- that this has more bearing on increasing your chances than almost anything else. If you can honestly tell them you would accept an offer if it were extended to you, say so. When they get to the waitlist they would rather have sure-bets and keep up the conversion. I was literally told, "We will consider the quality of each candidate as well as their expressed interest in attending the program. Beyond this factor, there are no additional steps you need to take at this time." I had asked about what they would like to see and suggested several things-- the only thing they were interested in beyond my interest was an update, later in the spring if it was "pertinent to my application." Good luck!
  11. what is this "waitlist"? the list they keep in limbo? pray on my behalf.
  12. a cruel word, "refresh" i feel worse, more of a mess the page looks the same
  13. Await

    Waitlists

    Ah, Cornell. It calls itself "The Big Red" and students call it "The Big Red Tape". (I say that with affection, I did my undergrad there, but there's some truth to it). Re: ranking- From talking to the admissions office of my program I gathered that the waitlist (referred to as a "small population of qualified applicants"- but who knows how an adcom defines "small") is not ranked yet. The adcom is going to reconvene (presumably after April 15), and that's when it sounds like the list gets ranked. In my program, the first waitlist offers won't go out til May 15. Or maybe they say that to keep us at bay. Who knows, the offers could come sooner. It seems like people would be likely to accept other offers by then. . . although not me. Since I have only one program to wait on! Based on last year, it sounds like they do release waitlist placement after May 15th. At least that's one program's way of doing it. . .
  14. Ahh, macabre humor! Thank you, I needed that! And 35M40: I feel you on the parents+academic parents front. When I told my mom I was waitlisted (at the 1 program I applied to) she was silent. Shocked. Then trying to rationalize it she said, "Well we have a very common last name- maybe it wasn't meant for you?". It's nice to know those around you have confidence in you, but it is terrible to let them down. Now I'm hearing "Of course you'll get off the waitlist." Ugh. And as for the academic parents: One of my reccommenders works at the university I was waitlisted at (different school). Her office is literally next door to the admissions office that waitlisted me. She was excited about helping me find an apartment nearby (her own house is a walk away). And even worse: Her "batting average" for my program is 1000%. I don't want to the one responsible for ruining that! I wrote to her yesterday and haven't heard back.
  15. I also have a question for you guys: According to admissions the waitlist "is a very small population of qualified candidates." They are willing to take an update letter in a month, but that's it. I have a legacy at the school, which I didn't mention in my application--he was a PhD and former professor there. In addition, a former dean might be willing to write on my behalf. What do you guys think? Is that ethical? Is it frowned upon? Does it even matter? I felt like it was irrelevant to mention when I first applied, but now I'm paranoid other people are pulling out all stops. . .
  16. Await

    Waitlists

    Also! A story of hope! I found out today that a woman who was 11 spots down on the waitlist got in last year- in mid august! So that's 10 offers! Not my same track, but same program. According to admissions the waitlist "is a very small population of qualified candidates." They are willing to take an update letter in a month, but that's it. I also have a legacy at the school, which I didn't mention in my application-- PhD and former professor there. In addition, a former dean might be willing to write on my behalf. What do you guys think? Is that ethical? Is it frowned upon? Does it even matter? I felt like it was irrelevant to mention when I first applied, but now I'm paranoid other people are pulling out all stops. . . Thanks for any advice!
  17. Waitlist humor: There's always a chance! And I found out today that last year someone got into my dream school IN MID AUGUST. Obviously, that would be torturous, but this woman moved up 11 spots! So that's 10 offers in just one track of the program, not so bad. . .
  18. Await

    Waitlists

    Awww frankdux, maybe you'll at least get a crack at the waitlist experience with us! I'm finding a lot of humor in this right now. . . a real classic that mirrors my perverse sense of hope in the waitlist!
  19. Hi guys! Happy to find other waitlisters. I posted this earlier under another forum and then I found you! _________________________________________________________________________________________ After saying over and over for the last week "I just don't want to be in limbo anymore" I got waitlisted at 5pm on Friday. At my dream school. The only school I applied to. There is some relief in hearing that it wasn't a pie-in-the-sky plan--that I'm qualified--but now the limbo continues. In fact they said the earliest waitlist candidates could expect to hear back is May 15th, but it could be as late as July 31st. I will wait. . . Has anyone here ever moved off of a waitlist? Does anyone have advice? The waitlist letter was very formal and did not give much information (this is for a master's program), so I'm trying to get some details from admissions. In the meantime: Anyone else want to moan with me? Did anyone else apply to just one program? Here's to hoping. . .
  20. Await

    Waitlists

    Hi guys, After saying over and over for the last week "I just don't want to be in limbo anymore" I got waitlisted at 5pm on Friday. At my dream school. The only school I applied to. There is some relief in hearing that it wasn't a pie-in-the-sky plan--that I'm qualified--but now the limbo continues. In fact they said the earliest waitlist candidates could expect to hear back is May 15th, but it could be as late as July 31st. I will wait. . . Has anyone here ever moved off of a waitlist? Does anyone have advice? The waitlist letter was very formal and did not give much information (this is for a master's program), so I'm trying to get some details from admissions. In the meantime: Anyone else want to moan with me? Did anyone else apply to just one program? Here's to hoping. . .
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