What does "considering you a fellowship" mean?

[psychology99]

The graduate advisor sent me an email asking questions to clarify my citizenship post-interview and later told me that they needed to know because "We are considering you for a fellowship...blah blah." What does that mean? Initially I thought that means I have a good shot, yet I have not heard from them for about a month! I am a little worried. Gosh, I'm now like an OCD patient checking emails once every few hours.

[HyacinthMacaw]

The graduate advisor sent me an email asking questions to clarify my citizenship post-interview and later told me that they needed to know because "We are considering you for a fellowship...blah blah." What does that mean? Initially I thought that means I have a good shot, yet I have not heard from them for about a month! I am a little worried. Gosh, I'm now like an OCD patient checking emails once every few hours.

I think it's a great sign that they are considering you for a fellowship. Perhaps they have placed you on a short list (if not already admitted you) and are working to secure funding for you. I could be mistaken--but I think some cautious optimism is warranted. I do believe some programs like to offer applicants admission and provide funding info later, while others prefer to have a funding package lined up when notifying applicants of admission. It's possible this program falls into the latter category.

Hope that helps, and all the best!

[iopsych]

The graduate advisor sent me an email asking questions to clarify my citizenship post-interview and later told me that they needed to know because "We are considering you for a fellowship...blah blah." What does that mean? Initially I thought that means I have a good shot, yet I have not heard from them for about a month! I am a little worried. Gosh, I'm now like an OCD patient checking emails once every few hours.

Fellowships are usually not put up by the department, but instead by the university. From my knowledge essentially they put your name up to the university for one of the fellowships. The university may or may not award it to you based upon several factors, how many people in the program are on the same fellowship (older students) and the competitiveness of students in other programs eligible for the fellowship. However, this may be an instance where the department itself has a fellowship too. Basically, chances are it is out of their control and they are waiting on word from the university regarding whether or not you have received the fellowship.

[pospsy]

That's a GREAT sign!

Usually dept won't nominate people they won't accept for a fellowship because they usually have a quota for how many people they can nominate.

So whether or not you get the fellowship, you have a really good chance of getting into this school.

The graduate advisor sent me an email asking questions to clarify my citizenship post-interview and later told me that they needed to know because "We are considering you for a fellowship...blah blah." What does that mean? Initially I thought that means I have a good shot, yet I have not heard from them for about a month! I am a little worried. Gosh, I'm now like an OCD patient checking emails once every few hours.

[psychology99]

Fellowships are usually not put up by the department, but instead by the university. From my knowledge essentially they put your name up to the university for one of the fellowships. The university may or may not award it to you based upon several factors, how many people in the program are on the same fellowship (older students) and the competitiveness of students in other programs eligible for the fellowship. However, this may be an instance where the department itself has a fellowship too. Basically, chances are it is out of their control and they are waiting on word from the university regarding whether or not you have received the fellowship.

Thanks for both of you who answered my question!

So does it mean that --

they send applications for fellowship for those who they think are eligible/ qualified for the program, and they only accept students who got the fellowship?

If those students who did not get the university fellowship, it means they are no longer considered (or have to look at other funding options)?

What do university fellowships look for anyway? (GRE/GPA/Research Experience/Interest?!)

Thanks for answering in advance!

[pospsy]

Um...i guess it depends on the dept.

For my dept., they have fundings for all the people that are nominated for fellowship, so if they don't get it, the dept can still fund them.

The university fellowship here look for strong academic record (GRE/GPA) and diversity/ community service kind of thing.

Thanks for both of you who answered my question!

So does it mean that --

they send applications for fellowship for those who they think are eligible/ qualified for the program, and they only accept students who got the fellowship?

If those students who did not get the university fellowship, it means they are no longer considered (or have to look at other funding options)?

What do university fellowships look for anyway? (GRE/GPA/Research Experience/Interest?!)

Thanks for answering in advance!