estreetpanic

You should always contact the Admissions Director and ask how you can strengthen your app. Many of the comments made thus far are spot on - you need to be a good fit for the professors, you need to have a different perspective on an area of research, and funding controls everything - not who you know. Our ad com folks work hard and are thorough; they would admit more applicants if they could, believe me. No one is happy about declining so many excellent students and everyone is interested in securing the future of their programs by admitting as many strong applicants as possible. This process is not fun for anyone - you or us.

The Council of Graduate Schools requires applicants to notify universities of their intention to accept or decline any funded offer of admission no later than April 15, 2012. While it is understandable that a program would like to have a response from admitted students earlier, you should not feel pressured to respond to any program until you have a decision. You should contact your other programs and inquire regarding their processes, and mention that you have received an offer. Applicants do that all the time. Any director of graduate admissions is aware of the pressure that you all are under these days.

CH received 403 applications for English and Comp Lit for Fall 2012. Emails have gone out to all admitted and wait listed applicants. Hard copy letters are forthcoming to those same applicants. We really do admit a number of applicants from the wait list. And we really are nice!