Brandeis 2011

[Johnnyquest2009]

Hello Curlygrrl,

Yes, the Heller School has a April 15th deadline. However, Moraurora applied the School of Arts and Sciences. These are two different divisions, two different admissions offices. Just because our program has a deadline of April 15th, doesnt mean the other program does. Moraurora, I only looked quickly at the deadlines. Here is the link where I found the Dec 15th deadline for the PHD program in sociology. http://www.brandeis.edu/gsas/programs/sociology.html

Ph.D.: Dec. 15

M.A.: Rolling until class is filled, beginning Jan. 15. Applications received after May 1 will not be reviewed.

Joint M.A. with Women's and Gender Studies: Rolling until class is filled, beginning, Jan. 15. Applications received after May 1 will not be reviewed.

I am off to work now, but will message more later. Moraurora, hang in there. From what I see, no one has really heard much from your program yet. You still could be accepted. Keep us updated on when you hear. Also, be careful. Universities can read this website as well, and it is not hard to figure out who is who.

Best Wishes,

Basically if you have an offer the school cannot harass you as to your decision till April 15th but also students can lose their offer if they do not accept or reject their offer by April 15th as well. Once having accepted an offer you cannot rescind past that deadline, but you can before (even though some might consider that in bad taste). There is a whole forum on this national deadline on GradCafe.

Johnnyquest2009 in the letter you got from Brandeis they allude to this deadline (or at least they did on mine). They also though noted that as we haven't secured funding that we can respond after this set date. This is why I am so concerned about my offer. In my case it’s a catch -22. I am waiting to hear about funding from Brandeis. Usually students don't respond if they are accepting or declining an offer till April 15th- so most likely the chances of securing funding won't be clear till after that date, meaning I would potentially lose the offer made to me from another program/school. I have no preference for one school or another I just don’t feel like the choice is mine to make but rather that under these circumstances they are being made for me. On the other hand I understand why such a policy has been put in place- those on a waitlist must be going nuts wondering if they have a shot this year or not. It’s all around a crappy situation to be in.

Moraurora I am sorry I know none of this helps you out at all.

[Johnnyquest2009]

Hello Curlygrrl,

I wanted to follow up with your concerns. An applicant can rescind the offer at any point before April 15th. April 15th is the last day for those who have funding to make a decision. You could possible hear sooner if funds come available sooner. In regards to the school harassing you. They will not harass you if they do not hear from you before April 15th. If you do not reply before that date, they assume you are no longer interested in the program. In regards to rescinding the offer after the date. It is possible to rescind at any time. It is usually looked down upon, but I have seen many occasions where students never show up for the first day of classes but never informed the school. This is why most schools require a deposit. If an applicant is really not thinking of attending the school, they will no give money to the school to "secure" their spot.

In regards to the other offer. Some times you can talk to the school and ask for an extension. Tell them your situation and that you are waiting to hear back from another program. However, if like the other program equally I would suggest taking the offer. If you think you like this program more, I would see if you could get an extension from the other school. It does not hurt to ask.

[moraurora]

Hey, if universities read this thread, I just wanna say that they should not pay attention to the location info. First it was Barcelona, then Paris and now it's Belgrad, these are just cities I happen to love I don't wanna do wrong to our Spanish, French or Serbian friends! One could see in other threads that people addressing me as their french or spanish friends, when they do that, I skip that part of the conversation and just remain silent when it came to my nationality. I prefare to remain totally anonymous and I don't wanna share info in these forums, so I play with my profile every now and then. It would be a huge, huge mistake to deduce that "oh moraurora must be this serbian applicant".

Maybe I should have left that section blank...

Anyway, I think it will be a rejection, thanks for all the support!

Edited March 22, 2011 by moraurora

[Johnnyquest2009]

Moraurora,

You never know. Cross your fingers and hope for the best. Any other offers?

Hey, if universities read this thread, I just wanna say that they should not pay attention to the location info. First it was Barcelona, then Paris and now it's Belgrad, these are just cities I happen to love I don't wanna do wrong to our Spanish, French or Serbian friends! One could see in other threads that people addressing me as their french or spanish friends, when they do that, I skip that part of the conversation and just remain silent when it came to my nationality. I prefare to remain totally anonymous and I don't wanna share info in these forums, so I play with my profile every now and then. It would be a huge, huge mistake to deduce that "oh moraurora must be this serbian applicant".

Maybe I should have left that section blank...

Anyway, I think it will be a rejection, thanks for all the support!

[SomervilleMichelle]

So, I'm a lurker. And, I'm in the category of people who has been rejected everyone (well, just two schools -- BC and Brown) and hasn't heard from three schools (BU, Brandeis, and UMass Amherst). So, I started emailing folks today. Here is what I got from Brandeis:

Hi Michelle,

Many of our decision letters have gone out. Some decisions have not yet been made. Yours is currently in this category. We will contact you when we make a decision. Thank you for your patience.

Cheryl

I actually had wrapped my head around not getting in anywhere and somehow this vague email has given me (false) hope. Uggh.

Moraurora,

You never know. Cross your fingers and hope for the best. Any other offers?