Waiting on "Formal Acceptance"

[thom1820]

Hi,

I'm freaking out because I have one unofficial acceptance so far, in the form of a letter from the director of my graduate program. It said that he has recommended me for acceptance, and I should be getting a formal acceptance letter from the graduate school. I'm just wondering, is there a chance that the graduate school would get the recommendation but reject me based on their own criteria? Or is this more of a formality, and they always go with the department's recommendation? I'm especially worried because my GPA is under a 3.0 (barely.)

Has anyone here ever had a letter like this and then been rejected?

Thanks!!

[kateow]

Hi,

I'm freaking out because I have one unofficial acceptance so far, in the form of a letter from the director of my graduate program. It said that he has recommended me for acceptance, and I should be getting a formal acceptance letter from the graduate school. I'm just wondering, is there a chance that the graduate school would get the recommendation but reject me based on their own criteria? Or is this more of a formality, and they always go with the department's recommendation? I'm especially worried because my GPA is under a 3.0 (barely.)

Has anyone here ever had a letter like this and then been rejected?

Thanks!!

I don't have an answer, but share the same question!

[LJK]

Generally it is a formality. I understand your concern that you have a GPA under 3.0 but unless there is an official requirement listed on the graduate school's website that shouldn't be an issue. If the director had a real concern that the graduate school might fight the department about admitting you, I doubt the director would have emailed you. If that was the case, they could argue amongst themselves without letting you know how close you came to getting in. In fact I think it would be pretty unprofessional for them to tease you with an unofficial acceptance if they had any concern about converting it into an official acceptance. Chin up! I think you are more than fine here.

[communications13]

It is quite rare that the actual graduate school would deny you after the dept. accepted you; I'm sure it happens, but not often. The dept offered you a spot. Let yourself be in the relief stage of the waiting game, please don't torture yourself. The official letter will come in time.

[emmm]

Agreed -- you're in! Congrats!

[anthropologygeek]

Even if they had a 3.0 min all it takes is for the chair to write a letter on your behalf and once the department accepts you the chair doesn't have a problem doing this

[encephalization]

I think you shouldn't worry too much. From what I understood it's more if the Department has missed any of the entry requirements e.g. the Grad School may not recognize a foreign 3-yr degree as equivalent to a US 4-yr. Stuff like that.

[anonthropology]

I was really anxious the whole time I was waiting for the "official acceptance" for my MA after getting an unofficial one (with your concerns), but I've since heard that basically it's the department that calls the shots with acceptance, so you shouldn't have anything to worry about.

I have one unofficial acceptance so far (applying to doctoral programs this time around), but I'm no longer anxious about whether it will become "official." I am wondering whether the funding package my potential adviser told me they "hoped" to offer me will come through or not, since that seems potentially more beyond the department's control.

Congrats on your acceptance! Now you can finally relax!

[neuropsychosocial]

I agree with everyone else - there's very little chance that the Graduate School would override the department, unless your credentials were quite questionable. A GPA below 3.0 is one of the things that might trigger a red flag for the Graduate School, but the department surely knows how the Grad School will react and believes that you'll be fine. I understand holding your breath - I did too - but I think you'll be fine.

Nic: My departmental letter had a minimum offer of funding (that was quite generous) and said that final details would come from the Graduate School. The Graduate School letter said that details on funding would come from my department. I'm amused!

[was1984]

Agree with everyone else here... they just have to check the box. All they will do is verify that you really are who you say you are, you really went to the schools you said you did, etc. As long as you have been honest in your applications you have nothing to worry about.