University of British Columbia

[Milkman95th]

Anyone hear anything yet?

[Grad00000000]

Hi - I got an acceptance this week from a member of the Committee. This is likely because I have a Prof who really wants me to RA for him, and probably asked them to send my letter early. Don't read too much into this if you haven't heard! My acceptance was unofficial and hasn't been approved by the Faculty of Graduate Studies yet. The University has been on Olympic holiday for the last two weeks (I think the campus is being used for events?) so official letters HAVE NOT been sent out yet.

If you get in, let me know. I'm 99% sure I'll attend UBC (the 1% hesitation is because my partner has to get in too), so it would be great to know who else will be there.

[Milkman95th]

I emailed the school yesterday and they got back to me quickly. They said admissions decisions were made last week and I did not get in, but I was put on the wait list. They said they were “very impressed” with my application and would like to offer me admission if possible (funding issues). They said they would not have any new info until after the 19th. I guess I will have to wait and see.

[Grad00000000]

While there are a few factors out of your control (how long the waitlist is, whether your preferred Prof has time/space to advise you), I think you might have a good chance. In my conversations with the faculty it sounded like there were quite a few people who were weighing a few options and might turn them down.

[Milkman95th]

While there are a few factors out of your control (how long the waitlist is, whether your preferred Prof has time/space to advise you), I think you might have a good chance. In my conversations with the faculty it sounded like there were quite a few people who were weighing a few options and might turn them down.

You are right about the things out of my control. However, I have to ask you a question about something you said. You said, “…there were quite a few people who were weighing a few options and might turn them down.” Because this is the only school I did not get rejected from, should I let them know that I have no other options. I ask this because they asked me to inform them of any competing offers I received. Since I have none, should I tell them they are the only ones that I am interested in?

Thanks.

[Grad00000000]

Tough question...I'm really hesitant to give you advice because I'm really not sure how they might view it, and I don't want to be responsible for jeopardizing your chances!

I was a wee bit evasive when they asked me, because they were the first school I heard back from. I just told them that I hadn't heard back from everywhere else yet, but that I was pretty certain they were going to be my school of choice. I got the feeling the question was not asked because they felt they were trying to compete with other offers, but just because they wanted a sense of the likelihood of me accepting their offer. I think they realise that there are other students just like you patiently waiting, and don't want to waste time giving offers to people who aren't seriously considering coming there.

[Milkman95th]

Tough question...I'm really hesitant to give you advice because I'm really not sure how they might view it, and I don't want to be responsible for jeopardizing your chances!

I was a wee bit evasive when they asked me, because they were the first school I heard back from. I just told them that I hadn't heard back from everywhere else yet, but that I was pretty certain they were going to be my school of choice. I got the feeling the question was not asked because they felt they were trying to compete with other offers, but just because they wanted a sense of the likelihood of me accepting their offer. I think they realise that there are other students just like you patiently waiting, and don't want to waste time giving offers to people who aren't seriously considering coming there.

Thanks for the reply. I only applied to two schools, with full intentions of going to whichever one let me in. Thankfully (I guess), I did not have to pick between the two as the other school already said no. Because of this, UBC has become the one school I wish to attend. I did mention the fact that I only applied to two schools in my application, so they know that. I am just wondering if I should flat out say that UBC is my primary (only) school I wish to attend.