The 15th is this week! What are you doing about schools you haven't heard back from?

[imean]

April 15th is this Thursday! Are you still waiting to hear back from some schools? If so, what are you going to do about it? Are you going to pressure them into telling you or just forget about them and move on?

[SublimeDelusions]

I'm debating sending out emails to the programs.

I tried calling three of them. One gave me the run around, the other went straight to voicemail, and the other just rang over and over without ever going to a voicemail.

So there's what's happening with three of the four I'm waiting on. The other one pretty much intimated that I'm wait-listed without actually saying those words.

[rooster34]

I think it is time to start emailing and/or calling. While I certainly preached and practiced patience, that time has now passed. I am still waiting on one school. I've slowly ratcheted up the pressure over the last two or three weeks. I've contacted the department three times via email; only the first netted a response. I then called both the grad. studies chair and the grad. studies coordinator. The former did not have her voicemail set up and the latter did not return my message. As a result I turned my attention to the graduate school. That has worked pretty well. I spoke with a very nice lady is going to call the department tomorrow and see what the hell is going on. I must admit that all of this jerking around has made me feel that perhaps I should go elsewhere. We'll see how tomorrow's visit to UIUC goes!

[danicalifornia]

I'm still waiting for one program. I do not even know if I'm waitlisted. I have called a few weeks ago and they said: "You are not accepted, not rejected, you are pending".

I'm calling tomorrow, I want to know the truth, and that's it.

[imean]

My first choice is all I'm waiting on, but I have to respond to the other schools by April 15th. After the interview they said they'd contact everyone in 2 weeks but it's been 3. So I emailed them on Thursday and I haven't heard back, I'm debating if I should call them on Monday, but their keeping me hanging is kind of turning me off.

[joro]

My first choice is all I'm waiting on, but I have to respond to the other schools by April 15th. After the interview they said they'd contact everyone in 2 weeks but it's been 3. So I emailed them on Thursday and I haven't heard back, I'm debating if I should call them on Monday, but their keeping me hanging is kind of turning me off.

I know what you mean. The only school I'm truly waiting on is my first choice. I emailed them on Thursday and Friday, but still haven't received any kind of response. I will probably call tomorrow if I haven't received any kind of reply. Hopefully they give me the decision over the phone. I don't want to end up just choosing one school over this one because they couldn't get back to me on time.

[imean]

I'm so sorry you're hanging on your first choice too, it sucks soooo bad! Have you heard of any other people hearing back from that school? Do you think we might be on an "unofficial" wait list? Either way, I can't wait for this to be over with!

[captiv8ed]

I am on the waiting list for my top choice and they told me they wouldn't know until possibly late April. Luckily my other choice has given me a later deadline.

[joro]

I'm so sorry you're hanging on your first choice too, it sucks soooo bad! Have you heard of any other people hearing back from that school? Do you think we might be on an "unofficial" wait list? Either way, I can't wait for this to be over with!

I don't think I'm on an unofficial wait list since they said I should see all decisions online (by wednesday of last week), but their system is so slow to update. I was told by current students that the school is old fashion and also sends decisions via snail mail. I've only heard of 2 people being accepted.

[Scbrunt]

I'm still waiting on a few schools, unfortunately one of the ones I'm waiting on is one that I applied late too. I've tried to contact the graduate coordinator and even the professor who had contacted me about my application but I haven't heard back. Fortunately the school I got in to is giving me till the end of the month to decide. With the amount of money they charge for applications they could at least return a phone call.

[kogia.breviceps]

I'm still waiting on three schools. I've heard back from one a few weeks ago (waitlisted). But the other 2 have not responded to my (one each) emails a month/month and a half ago.

Pretty much worried sick at this point.

[newday123]

I think it is time to start emailing and/or calling. While I certainly preached and practiced patience, that time has now passed. I am still waiting on one school. I've slowly ratcheted up the pressure over the last two or three weeks. I've contacted the department three times via email; only the first netted a response. I then called both the grad. studies chair and the grad. studies coordinator. The former did not have her voicemail set up and the latter did not return my message. As a result I turned my attention to the graduate school. That has worked pretty well. I spoke with a very nice lady is going to call the department tomorrow and see what the hell is going on. I must admit that all of this jerking around has made me feel that perhaps I should go elsewhere. We'll see how tomorrow's visit to UIUC goes!

I feel your frustration since I was recently in a similar situation. I would say that if they are still dodging your questions about your waitlist/acceptance statuses, your chances of getting in are probably not so good. If they really want you, then they would have started courting you earlier so that you wouldn't accept another offer. Be prepared to make a choice among your current offers on 4/15.

[joro]

I received an extension for a school. I have until May 1st now to make a decision.

[imean]

Ugh. I actually just called the school I'm waiting on and they said they're still making decisions for "the final cut" but to email the program director. Problem is, I already emailed his assistant last week and don't want to be annoying.! And how come some people have heard back already (I really only know of 1 person) and I haven't? Would emailing the director be a bad idea? I'm starting to lose hope...

[skiergirl24]

I am waiting on funding information from UConn. Their website says funding decisions are made mid-April. I have already spoken with the Grad Director (2 weeks ago)and he told me funding letters would be out in 'a couple of weeks.' Well I have to let them know whether or not I will attend by 4/15 but I don't have the funding info yet-the letter specifically stated "DO NOT ACCEPT IF YOUR ATTENDANCE IS CONTIGENT UPON FUNDING UNTIL YOU HAVE RECEIVED FUNDING INFORMATION." I emailed the Grad Director Friday asking him for an extension--basically saying that I would love to attend but I cannot commit until I hear about funding. No response. Should I call again? I am so frustrated!!

Oh yeah...and then I still haven't heard from GSU or Syracuse.

[kohaku]

I'm still waiting on three schools. I've heard back from one a few weeks ago (waitlisted). But the other 2 have not responded to my (one each) emails a month/month and a half ago.

Pretty much worried sick at this point.

Hey, I'm waiting for an answer on an ecology program too---emailed them last week, called them today and NOTHING. The email went unanswered and the phone call straight to voice mail. I am extremely worried I will not get in anywhere and need to know. I don't want to be pessimistic, but also don't think there's much hope at this point.

[SublimeDelusions]

Well, I finally heard back from more of my programs. This time, it was another rejection. After sending me one email rejecting me (informally, I wasn't good enough to get a letter once again), they sent a second to explain to me (without me asking) that it wasn't that my application wasn't competitive, but that the department only took 3 students this year in total.

Aside from that, more word that my application may still be considered in the second round of admissions decisions at more schools.

However, my last school hasn't told me anything and isn't responding to any kind of contact.

So while three schools are down, I've still got three more to hear from.

[imean]

Well, I finally heard back from my first choice... and it was a rejection. I'm so upset, I thought I had done a pretty good interview. Now it looks like I'll have to decide between my other two acceptances... One which is in a cool city, Boston, but whose faculty I wasn't crazy about, because they were very stuffy and cold. Or a school in San Antonio, where the people were cool, but most people in the program are much older than me, and therefore I am worried I won't make much friends. Any opinions?

[rooster34]

I feel your frustration since I was recently in a similar situation. I would say that if they are still dodging your questions about your waitlist/acceptance statuses, your chances of getting in are probably not so good. If they really want you, then they would have started courting you earlier so that you wouldn't accept another offer. Be prepared to make a choice among your current offers on 4/15.

Here's the update:

I called the grad. school last week and spoke with a very nice lady who said she'd personally look into things. Apparently OSU considered all of my undergrad record. This stupid move put my undergrad GPA at 2.89, which is below the grad. school cutoff of 3.0. (For more info. on my situation, click here: ) As such, the department had to petition the grad. school to let me in. Apparently the dept. did so back in early Feb. Nothing happened for two months and, quite frankly, things would have stayed that way had I not called. The petition was approved yesterday and I have been admitted. Now I just need to get a hold of the department and talk $$$. Also, as far as courting me earlier, they invited me (along with about 20 others) to their grad. information day way back in early Jan.

[kagredon]

I'm still waiting on two schools. I've been emailing for the last two weeks. I've gotten responses from the admissions offices, but none when I've tried to contact departments. One of the admissions offices told me the application was still being reviewed by the department; the other told me that my official transcripts had not been received, and that I should've uploaded an unofficial transcript with the online application, saying that my decision "would not have been held up" if I'd done so. When I explained that I had uploaded an unofficial transcript (months ago), and asked if there'd been some problem with the file, they said it had been received, but gave no information on why my decision still wasn't ready, or when I could expect it. (Venting: I understand that people in admissions offices are under immense pressure right now, but it seems like it would be less trouble to actually check whether a student has done what you're asking them to do, rather than get involved in an extended email exchange and have to check anyway. Aargh.)

I get very anxious about phone conversations, especially when dealing with bureaucracies that hold my future in their hands (not really an exaggeration in this case, huh?), but I think it might be time to call, especially since I might end up having to ask for an extension from the school that has accepted me. Those who have called, did you call the admissions office or your department? (I'm leaning towards the departments, since I'm guessing that neither of the admissions offices are going to have much more information than when I emailed, but the admissions offices have been more responsive....) And what did you say when you called?

[joro]

Well, I finally heard back from my first choice... and it was a rejection. I'm so upset, I thought I had done a pretty good interview. Now it looks like I'll have to decide between my other two acceptances... One which is in a cool city, Boston, but whose faculty I wasn't crazy about, because they were very stuffy and cold. Or a school in San Antonio, where the people were cool, but most people in the program are much older than me, and therefore I am worried I won't make much friends. Any opinions?

Oh no. I'm still waiting on my first choice, but I have a feeling that I will have the same outcome as you. I already know where I will go if I don't get in, but I'm actually not too happy about it. It isn't a bad school or program, but the thought of not going to my absolute first choice and perfect fit program is really irritating.

[Grad Hopeful]

I'm still waiting on two schools. I've been emailing for the last two weeks. I've gotten responses from the admissions offices, but none when I've tried to contact departments. One of the admissions offices told me the application was still being reviewed by the department; the other told me that my official transcripts had not been received, and that I should've uploaded an unofficial transcript with the online application, saying that my decision "would not have been held up" if I'd done so. When I explained that I had uploaded an unofficial transcript (months ago), and asked if there'd been some problem with the file, they said it had been received, but gave no information on why my decision still wasn't ready, or when I could expect it. (Venting: I understand that people in admissions offices are under immense pressure right now, but it seems like it would be less trouble to actually check whether a student has done what you're asking them to do, rather than get involved in an extended email exchange and have to check anyway. Aargh.)

I get very anxious about phone conversations, especially when dealing with bureaucracies that hold my future in their hands (not really an exaggeration in this case, huh?), but I think it might be time to call, especially since I might end up having to ask for an extension from the school that has accepted me. Those who have called, did you call the admissions office or your department? (I'm leaning towards the departments, since I'm guessing that neither of the admissions offices are going to have much more information than when I emailed, but the admissions offices have been more responsive....) And what did you say when you called?

This is my experience from working in admissions office at a university, this does not mean this is true for all admissions offices:

If you want direct information regarding your application it would be best to contact the department directly. For undergraduate decisions our office had direct access to the people who made the decision to accept the students and we could even transfer students directly to those staff members if they had questions about the decision.

Graduate Admissions worked entirely differently. Most times we would have no idea where in the process the application was once it left our office, we could only see that it was sent to the department and the decision (which would come weeks after it was sent to the department). Sometimes we were able to contact the department directly if it was an urgent matter but we often had as much trouble as potential students in reaching the person in charge of the decisions and they sometimes never answered the admissions office inquiries. It is much better to contact the department directly, they will have more information about the specifics regarding your file. However if you only want a general response you can contact the admissions office first since they often know the general timelines and also the approximate time you can expect a decision.

A general piece of advice: whenever contacting an admissions office you will generally get a faster response if you call, however if you want to email the admissions office please include the semester and program you are applying for in the email subject. Often times our email would get overloaded near deadlines and other significant dates and we would decide which emails to answer first based on what semester the student was applying for. If you follow this logic you will be more likely to illicit a faster response than just including the word Urgent. Emails were also answered more quickly if you included your student number in an obvious location every time you have an exchange.

[EKPhrase]

I'm still waiting on two schools. I've been emailing for the last two weeks. I've gotten responses from the admissions offices, but none when I've tried to contact departments. One of the admissions offices told me the application was still being reviewed by the department; the other told me that my official transcripts had not been received, and that I should've uploaded an unofficial transcript with the online application, saying that my decision "would not have been held up" if I'd done so. When I explained that I had uploaded an unofficial transcript (months ago), and asked if there'd been some problem with the file, they said it had been received, but gave no information on why my decision still wasn't ready, or when I could expect it. (Venting: I understand that people in admissions offices are under immense pressure right now, but it seems like it would be less trouble to actually check whether a student has done what you're asking them to do, rather than get involved in an extended email exchange and have to check anyway. Aargh.)

I get very anxious about phone conversations, especially when dealing with bureaucracies that hold my future in their hands (not really an exaggeration in this case, huh?), but I think it might be time to call, especially since I might end up having to ask for an extension from the school that has accepted me. Those who have called, did you call the admissions office or your department? (I'm leaning towards the departments, since I'm guessing that neither of the admissions offices are going to have much more information than when I emailed, but the admissions offices have been more responsive....) And what did you say when you called?

I called the adcomm chair of the dept, and left a message saying that I thought I should check in regarding my waitlist status given the Thursday deadline. I mentioned that I was still very interested in the program. Just call and say what's on your mind. I then followed up with an email. I sent two other emails out to two other waitlists - one got back to me right away saying that it wasn't looking good, that despite them only offering as many positions as they had spots, most students were waiting till the last minute.

I am not sure if I will ask for an extension from my final choice or not. I hate to do it

[peppermint.beatnik]

Do you think it's a good idea to "check-in" with the school, if you are wait-listed? I've been on a wait-list since mid-late March. I have been in contact with them, so they know I am interested in the outcome.

The school doesn't have a deadline of April 15, so that's not an issue. My last contact was end of March.

[captiv8ed]

Do you think it's a good idea to "check-in" with the school, if you are wait-listed? I've been on a wait-list since mid-late March. I have been in contact with them, so they know I am interested in the outcome.

The school doesn't have a deadline of April 15, so that's not an issue. My last contact was end of March.

I think so, especially since the deadline is approaching, and even if they don't follow it, they must know other schools do. I would send an email letting them know you are still interested.