Out of curiosity, how many folks that are waitlisted applied as direct admits straight from undergrad? I only applied to one Ph.D. program and one M.A. program due to my inability to move away from the county I currently live in (husband's work, owning our home, and residency restrictions on child custody put the kibosh on moving for grad school). Luckily, I made it onto the waitlist for the Ph.D., and accepted to one of the M.A.s with a grad assistantship. I'm just curious what it means if the school says there are "very few students" on the list. My very few means 3-4; does the DGS mean more? Also, while the letter reassured me that they would let me know if a spot opens up sooner rather than later,they will definitely notify me about an official acceptance or rejection by May 1st. May 1st?!? I'll be bald by then from pulling my hair out! In the meantime, I'm planning on attending the recruitment weekend, setting up initial meetings with the professors I want to work with if I get in to the Ph.D. program, and lining up outside funding for my research.