Am I accepted?

[coffeecoffeebuzzbuzz]

Ok, I just want to run my scenario by folks to see if I might have missed the obvious (which is quite possible). I was initially rejected by all the schools that I applied to, but I just received word that I was awarded an independent fellowship that will cover a significant chunk of tuition/cost of living for three years at any school. I swallowed my pride and began contacting all the profs that rejected me to see if funding would change their opinion. I had a long phone call with my first choice in prof's and we talked about just about everything related to common areas of interest (research priorities, theory, misc. papers and equations) for the vast majority of the conversation. The end of the call was quite rushed (he was running late), but essentially the parting words were that he wanted me, told me the funding for the other years would be difficult or at the very least uncertain (public school in bad economy), and he needed to talk to the department to find out logistics.

Now I am in an awkward limbo wondering where I stand what just happened... did I just have an interview? was I just accepted? should i be worried about the funding for the other years? should I bust out a bottle of champagne and celebrate?

[Keller65]

You are still rejected unless the department makes an exception. Individual professors may not unilaterally admit students.

[digits2006]

You should contact that professor again and find out your fate

[shakespearebro]

Yes, it sounds as though your fate is in limbo until the professor you spoke to can speak to the department chair and DGS and head of the grad admissions committee, etc. If he/she can rally them, then you MIGHT get in. It also sounds as though you would be on your own for funding next year, and the year after that, etc, so you'd have to plan for when the first year money ran out.