How to figure out who are committee members

[lvchengci]

Currently on my top choice's waitlist. How could I figure out the members of graduate committee? Is it appropriate to ask the secretary or the graduate director directly?

[XOwlfan]

In my current program, the admissions committee changes from year to year. The professors are careful to keep low-profile about their roles if they're involved. I personally would avoid trying to find out which faculty members are on the committee--as you run the risk of being perceived as pushy (or lacking boundaries...or maybe lacking patience). Of course, life feels like it's hanging in the balance of their decision--which can feel awful. One option may be to correspond directly with the faculty member you're most interested in working with--that person may be on the committee--if not, that person can approach committee members and plea on your behalf.

Regarding waitlists, do you know if it's ranked? If not, it may be that whether or not you're accepted depends on whether or not any of the rejected offers line up with your specific research interests (and person of interest). For example (and hypothetically speaking), a committee may want an incoming cohort with one student interested in new media, one student interested in online communities, one student interested in media effects on children--Your interest may be in new media and you're waitlisted, but a person with an interest in children's media ends up rejecting their offer of acceptance...then the committee may look to replace that person with another waitlisted applicant interested in children's media. (Not all committees work this way...some do. It depends on the program--it's size, resources, and needs.)

Edited March 3, 2011 by XOwlfan

[XOwlfan]

In my current program, the admissions committee changes from year to year. The professors are careful to keep low-profile about their roles if they're involved. I personally would avoid trying to find out which faculty members are on the committee--as you run the risk of being perceived as pushy (or lacking boundaries...or maybe lacking patience). Of course, life feels like it's hanging in the balance of their decision--which can feel awful. One option may be to correspond directly with the faculty member your most interested in working with--that person may be on the committee--if not, that person can approach committee members and plea on your behalf.

Regarding waitlists, do you know if it's ranked? If not, it may be that whether or not you're accepted depends on whether or not any of the rejected offers line up with your specific research interests (and person of interest). For example (and hypothetically speaking), a committee may want an incoming cohort with one student interested in new media, one student interested in online communities, one student interested in media effects on children--Your interest may be in new media and you're waitlisted, but a person with an interest in children's media ends up rejecting their offer of acceptance...then the committee may look to replace that person with another waitlisted applicant interested in children's media. (Not all committees work this way...some do. It depends on the program--it's size, resources, and needs.)

I should add--if you choose to contact your person of interest, I wouldn't explicitly ask them to address the admissions committee. Just letting your POI know that you are enthusiastic about the program and hopeful that you make it off the waitlist would be enough. If your POI really wants you, they'll speak up for you.

[lvchengci]

Thank you for your reminding. I thought it would be good to show my enthusiasm to all the committee members. Seems it's not. I don't want to find them out any more. Maybe just keep my fingers acrossed.

In my current program, the admissions committee changes from year to year. The professors are careful to keep low-profile about their roles if they're involved. I personally would avoid trying to find out which faculty members are on the committee--as you run the risk of being perceived as pushy (or lacking boundaries...or maybe lacking patience). Of course, life feels like it's hanging in the balance of their decision--which can feel awful. One option may be to correspond directly with the faculty member your most interested in working with--that person may be on the committee--if not, that person can approach committee members and plea on your behalf.

Regarding waitlists, do you know if it's ranked? If not, it may be that whether or not you're accepted depends on whether or not any of the rejected offers line up with your specific research interests (and person of interest). For example (and hypothetically speaking), a committee may want an incoming cohort with one student interested in new media, one student interested in online communities, one student interested in media effects on children--Your interest may be in new media and you're waitlisted, but a person with an interest in children's media ends up rejecting their offer of acceptance...then the committee may look to replace that person with another waitlisted applicant interested in children's media. (Not all committees work this way...some do. It depends on the program--it's size, resources, and needs.)

[lvchengci]

Got it! Thanks! I'll keep in touch with my POI and never touch this topic.

I should add--if you choose to contact your person of interest, I wouldn't explicitly ask them to address the admissions committee. Just letting your POI know that you are enthusiastic about the program and hopeful that you make it off the waitlist would be enough. If your POI really wants you, they'll speak up for you.

[XOwlfan]

I can absolutely see how somebody would want to contact members of the admission committee to share their enthusiasm and excitement about a program. It's unfortunate that some people could take such a genuine emotion in the wrong way. (Once, my husband applied for a job in person---years ago...before all job applications were online--and he ended up totally offending an office full of people who thought he was too cocky and forward for doing so. Another office loved the fact that he came in to deliver his application in person, and he made it as a runner-up for the position he applied for there. We're Southern--and very personal and open--qualities that are not necessarily appreciated by everyone else.)