Late decisions on MAs

[pietjekanarie]

I suppose it is normal that those decisions are coming later than the decisions for PhDs? However, I was reading on Columbia's website: "The notification of M.A. decisions varies by department and application deadlines. Although some M.A. decisions are sent out in early Spring, decisions may be rendered as late as July."

??? How can someone accept when a decision comes in June or even July? I was counting on getting a rejection, because it takes them pretty long (I applied in the beginning of January, my deadline was March 1), but apparently their decisions for masters programs are just late in the year.

I'm doubting if I should contact the department for an update on my status. However, I suppose they're busy and I don't want to annoy them (I guess they get the question all the time).

Anyone else waiting on Columbia? I can't find the program I applied to in the result search, so I have no clue how long I have to continue waiting..

I'm also eager to get a decision from U of T.... I need these decisions before April 30, because I have to notify programs I got into in time as well.

[A. Colin]

Yup! I'm in a similar boat. I suspect they say "as late as July" just in case they've some folks who decline a position at the 11th hour, and thus make room for wait-listed candidates. I mean, it also looks from the search results like a lot of programs accept PhD applicants into MA programs, instead of rejecting them outright. So, I think we can hope a few of these folks will turn their offers down, and make room for us.

Personally, I'm going to cross my fingers and refrain from contacting the Department until closer to April 15th (when many schools ask for a decision).

I'm wishing us both the best of luck!

[pietjekanarie]

That's true probably. However, the institute that administers the MA I applied to doesn't have its own PhDs. Maybe they do refer PhD candidates from other masters to this program, but I wouldn't expect an excessive amount. I'm not contacting anyone either for now, but I'm just very impatient.... NYU gave me till April 30 to decide and the other programs I got into even till June. I guess there is nothing to worry about yet. I just want to know which country I will move to next fall..

I think Canada is another story. U of T can take very long if I look at the result search from last year. I applied in January, so I hope they have rolling admission and don't have to wait forever. These programs are both high upon my list, so I really want to know before making decisions.

Good luck to you too A. Colin!

[robinsparkles]

I'm not sure what program/school you're applying to at Columbia, but I know Teacher's College is having an admitted student weekend on April 9th, so I'm assuming non-waitlisted acceptances would hear back by then. If it's another school at Columbia, you could always Google when their admitted students weekend was in the past to give you a better idea of when first-round acceptances are sent by.

[pietjekanarie]

I don't think my program has an admitted students weekend. At least, I can't find anything about that. I'm also not sure if they work with a waitlist. The result search doesn't show my program unfortunately. I guess I just have to wait, but eventually I have to make choices, or pay NYU the 250 dollars to hold my place...