stilrsnation Posted May 31, 2011 Posted May 31, 2011 OK, just gonna throw this out there as a little rant. I think it's obvious at this point that we all made it to the last stage, the internal review. Anyone think otherwise? Anyway, 6 people have posted as having been notified and probably double that (judging by the number of posters and lurkers) are still waiting. This out of the small sample of applicants who are OCD enough to have found this forum. though I am hoping that in this age of Facebook and Twitter, it's more than a small sample who at least stop by (and would heed the call to post upon notification! So what is the chance that any remaining rejectees (if they exist) won't be called or emailed and will simply wait up to another couple of weeks (even assuming no more posted delays) until rejection letters finally arrive in the mail?! Kind of a rhetorical question, unless someone really knows. Anyway, just wanted to throw it out there. Keep your fingers crossed I guess - though mine are starting to hurt.
nanoman Posted May 31, 2011 Posted May 31, 2011 From everything I've read in this forum, this fellowship seems to be the most confusing in terms of its notification system. I just assume I made the final round because I haven't gotten anything in the mail or any other type of notification indicating otherwise. So the whole process has been a bit tedious. Let's hope all is resolved soon, though I doubt it...
itsavailable Posted May 31, 2011 Posted May 31, 2011 I agree with stilrsnation's thoughts on this issue. Although, I think realistically there are probably a few candidates that will still be eliminated. More than likely, some folks will not accept EPA STAR because they may have accepted other fellowships. This would then free up a fellowship to give to other students who have not been denied yet but may be ranked at the bottom end of the stack. I can't imagine they would deny a student first by mail only to turn around and offer a fellowship later. More than likely the secrecy is related to offering first tier candidates fellowships, see who takes them, then offer second tier candidates fellowships and so on. At the end, some students will accept and others will decline and their may be a few left at the end that will still be denied.
outdoorathon Posted May 31, 2011 Posted May 31, 2011 Last year I was one of those candidates - I made it to the final stage, but didn't get awarded. I was told last year that there were over 1300 applicants, 161 finalists, and according to the website, 138 awarded (darn so close). This year there are 214 finalists for 150 spots, so I imagine there will be a number of rejections still to come (probably not until mid- to late June). I don't know what the rate of acceptance of an offerred fellowship, I imagine it's pretty high. I think there are more than enough backup finalists, so, unfortunately I agree with 'itsavailable' and wouldn't expect an EPA change of heart if you've been rejected. Anybody getting notices today? I thought there would be a lot of phone calls and emails going out today. Anybody get offerred E1 (Global Change) yet? I agree with stilrsnation's thoughts on this issue. Although, I think realistically there are probably a few candidates that will still be eliminated. More than likely, some folks will not accept EPA STAR because they may have accepted other fellowships. This would then free up a fellowship to give to other students who have not been denied yet but may be ranked at the bottom end of the stack. I can't imagine they would deny a student first by mail only to turn around and offer a fellowship later. More than likely the secrecy is related to offering first tier candidates fellowships, see who takes them, then offer second tier candidates fellowships and so on. At the end, some students will accept and others will decline and their may be a few left at the end that will still be denied.
stilrsnation Posted May 31, 2011 Posted May 31, 2011 (edited) D2, just got "recommended for selection" call and follow up email has already arrived. Torture over, for me. I suspect it won't be much longer for anyone else, due to the May 30 date. Missed by just a little, I guess? I have no way of knowing whether all of the 214 finalists are/were still in the running as of this past week or so. Those are just the ones recommended from the panel review, it is possible that there was an additional round of internal review already? GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE ELSE. Edited May 31, 2011 by stilrsnation
Heat_her_bee Posted May 31, 2011 Posted May 31, 2011 Hi there. Thanks for the insight outdoorathon. Unfortunately I think you are right, in that the final wave of rejections will be sent out now, and we won't get them until mid-june. I am E1 (Global Change) and am on the west coast and have yet to hear anything. I did talk to one of the ncer hotline folks on Friday. He said he would call Tuesday morning and let me know what's up, but I haven't heard back from him. Anyway, thanks for the updates.
Heat_her_bee Posted May 31, 2011 Posted May 31, 2011 Hi there. Thanks for the insight outdoorathon. Unfortunately I think you are right, in that the final wave of rejections will be sent out now, and we won't get them until mid-june. I am E1 (Global Change) and am on the west coast and have yet to hear anything. I did talk to one of the ncer hotline folks on Friday. He said he would call Tuesday morning and let me know what's up, but I haven't heard back from him. Anyway, thanks for the updates. Alright just got a phone call back after writing this. NCER hotline guy said that final phone calls should be made by closing tomorrow. He seemed to think that all declination letters have gone out and that you will get a phone call either way (rejection or not).
intlehsts Posted May 31, 2011 Posted May 31, 2011 Got a call today - but missed it. the message just left a phone number and name to call but sounded 'cheerful' on the machine. I'm A2 on the west coast. Good luck to everyone!
MrPilgrim Posted June 1, 2011 Posted June 1, 2011 I applied to FON A2 and I'm in the Southeast. Still no packet in the mail, no call, no email. Can't decide if that's a good sign or a bad sign...
rdubya Posted June 1, 2011 Posted June 1, 2011 Yeah...I1 West Coast. No word yet. Maybe I missed the call and the 'Thanks but no thanks' packet is in the mail. The suspense is horrid. Rolaids anyone?
rdubya Posted June 2, 2011 Posted June 2, 2011 (edited) Maybe they are going in alphabetical order? I'm a W but at this point I think it's just wishful thinking. Edited June 2, 2011 by rdubya
FractiousEcologist Posted June 2, 2011 Posted June 2, 2011 Maybe they are going in alphabetical order? I'm a W but at this point I think it's just wishful thinking. Ha! That's what I'm hoping too! (also a W) Keep the hope alive.
rdubya Posted June 2, 2011 Posted June 2, 2011 NCER guy (very nice, BTW) says that according to the EPA all notifications were sent out as of yesterday BUT he's got a list of about 15 people who have called in to say they have yet to hear anything. *sigh* I think it's safe to assume we ain't got it. Congrats to all those who did!
MrPilgrim Posted June 3, 2011 Posted June 3, 2011 So, did the NCER person suggest we call to inquire further about why we haven't received any type of notification? Put our names on some list? Even though we didn't get it, I'd still like to get my comments for revisions... NCER guy (very nice, BTW) says that according to the EPA all notifications were sent out as of yesterday BUT he's got a list of about 15 people who have called in to say they have yet to hear anything. *sigh* I think it's safe to assume we ain't got it. Congrats to all those who did!
rdubya Posted June 3, 2011 Posted June 3, 2011 Yeah, he said he forwarded the list to the EPA but didn't know when/how they would respond. They would not release the status info to the NCER so he's basically just the go between. I plan to call again on Monday if I have not heard anything.
itsavailable Posted June 3, 2011 Posted June 3, 2011 My best guess is that they were never going to decline people verbally (Despite the assertions of NCER-guy). Who would want (or do) that job? It is likely they sent (or will send) the remaining declinations by mail. Has anybody out there been declined verbally? More than likely they are waiting on a handful of "yes" responses at which point they may award one or two more fellowships but probably most folks have or will soon have declination letters via mail. I also talked to NCER guy and while he is extremely friendly, I get the impression that EPA has been very limited in the information they have released to him. Also, it is doubtful that he wants to be the one tell everyone on his "list" that they were declined. So even if he knew all the awards were made and the remaining people will be declined, he may not want to share that with folks (its not really his job is it?). This is just my current thinking based on absolutely no facts and excessive over-analysis....
outdoorathon Posted June 5, 2011 Posted June 5, 2011 I agree with all this. My only hope is that it doesn't look like anyone has gotten accepted since May 30th, and there does appear to be whole FONs with nobody reporting having gotten a fellowship. I might be grasping at straws, but maybe some FONs were a bit late in making decisions, and as such offer notifications haven't been sent out yet. Has anyone gotten an offer in E1 (Global Change)? Congrats to all that have gotten the fellowship, and hope there are still a few more acceptances! My best guess is that they were never going to decline people verbally (Despite the assertions of NCER-guy). Who would want (or do) that job? It is likely they sent (or will send) the remaining declinations by mail. Has anybody out there been declined verbally? More than likely they are waiting on a handful of "yes" responses at which point they may award one or two more fellowships but probably most folks have or will soon have declination letters via mail. I also talked to NCER guy and while he is extremely friendly, I get the impression that EPA has been very limited in the information they have released to him. Also, it is doubtful that he wants to be the one tell everyone on his "list" that they were declined. So even if he knew all the awards were made and the remaining people will be declined, he may not want to share that with folks (its not really his job is it?). This is just my current thinking based on absolutely no facts and excessive over-analysis....
itsavailable Posted June 6, 2011 Posted June 6, 2011 You have a point here! I haven't heard of any K1's I agree with all this. My only hope is that it doesn't look like anyone has gotten accepted since May 30th, and there does appear to be whole FONs with nobody reporting having gotten a fellowship. I might be grasping at straws, but maybe some FONs were a bit late in making decisions, and as such offer notifications haven't been sent out yet. Has anyone gotten an offer in E1 (Global Change)? Congrats to all that have gotten the fellowship, and hope there are still a few more acceptances!
Niamh Posted June 6, 2011 Posted June 6, 2011 Waiting here in NY to hear any news. I applied under J2 (Ecosystem Services: Terrestrial systems soil and plant ecology). Just wondering if the number you guys called was 1800-490-9194 to hear back from this NCER guy. I left a message there last week and haven't gotten a call back. Does anyone know if there is a better number to use? Thanks!
MrPilgrim Posted June 6, 2011 Posted June 6, 2011 Yeah, that's the number I called. Sent an email on Wednesday, and left a voicemail on Friday. Still haven't gotten a return call or email... Waiting here in NY to hear any news. I applied under J2 (Ecosystem Services: Terrestrial systems soil and plant ecology). Just wondering if the number you guys called was 1800-490-9194 to hear back from this NCER guy. I left a message there last week and haven't gotten a call back. Does anyone know if there is a better number to use? Thanks!
whattheflux Posted June 6, 2011 Posted June 6, 2011 Long time lurker, first time poster. I have mixed feelings about what's going on. If they had actually sent out notifications to everyone by last Wednesday, I would have expected to have recieved something by now. In addition, I'm suprised that no one has posted to say they've recieved a fellowship via some of the major FONs- I'm another E1 here. However, it doesn't appear that anyone has been notified since last Tuesday. I would imagine few, if any, rejections will be sent out before all fellowships have been awarded. All in all, it seems like communication is poor. If anyone gets any useful information about wait times from the agency, please post! In the meantime, I'm going to take my frusterations out on my fieldwork...
Heat_her_bee Posted June 6, 2011 Posted June 6, 2011 A fellow labmate received her call of acceptance on Thursday morning for A2. It seems unlikely that they are still making calls, but maybe.
itsavailable Posted June 6, 2011 Posted June 6, 2011 (edited) A lab mate of mine applied K1 and received a rejection letter a few days ago (last week he said). I'm not sure how this fits in but, he received this letter much later than the other declination letters that seemed to taper off two weeks ago. Also it is funny that NCER guy won't return any calls ( I left a message as well). I guess fielding calls from eager graduate students was just too much! also if your labmate recieved a call on thursday then that means they weren't finished by the day ncer guy said they would be. So........i guess he was wrong? A fellow labmate received her call of acceptance on Thursday morning for A2. It seems unlikely that they are still making calls, but maybe. Edited June 6, 2011 by itsavailable
Heat_her_bee Posted June 7, 2011 Posted June 7, 2011 I have talked to the NCER guy 3 times now. He is not the problem, it is the EPA people. He calls the EPA daily trying to figure out what is going on. He told me that they would be finished making offers by Thursday at 5pm. The EPA also told him they would call us whether we got it or not, so I don't think they are giving him straight answers. If your lab mate got a letter last week, I bet we can expect the letters any day now. You should ask when it was postmarked, that would give us a better idea when it was sent out.
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now