Waitlisted Twice -- By the Same University?

[LiteratureMajor]

Last year I was waitlisted at my top choice university and ultimately didn't make the cut. I reapplied this year. It's now time for decisions and I haven't received one, so I am wondering (worrying!) if it's likely that I have been waitlisted again. Please understand that I do not want to be outright rejected; however, the thought of being waitlisted and ultimately rejected again makes me a bit depressed. Have any of you experienced such a thing, or maybe know someone who has?

[moralresearcher]

Last year I was waitlisted at my top choice university and ultimately didn't make the cut. I reapplied this year. It's now time for decisions and I haven't received one, so I am wondering (worrying!) if it's likely that I have been waitlisted again. Please understand that I do not want to be outright rejected; however, the thought of being waitlisted and ultimately rejected again makes me a bit depressed. Have any of you experienced such a thing, or maybe know someone who has?

I don't see why it couldn't happen again--especially if not much has changed about your file from one year to the next. And a wait list is better than a rejection because it means you still have a chance, although to quote my grandfather, "Almost only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades."

If you know the program has already sent rejections and you haven't gotten one, you're probably wait listed. If they haven't, you might be rejected outright or you might be on a list. You won't know until you know, so don't freak out about it.

[BlueRose]

I think this just happened to me. So yes, it does happen...they don't go around plotting to do so, I'm sure, but neither do they avoid it.

[TMP]

Potentially same here.

[unearthedlurker]

I've been waitlisted three times by the same university; granted, it's the only university I've applied to, as I'm not a good fit for any other university (vice versa---too few people are doing what I'm doing), and barely a good fit there. This is my third time on the list. I'm not sure if they're telling me "figure out something more widely applicable and we'll let you in later" or if they're just swamped with other more viable candidates.

But... yes, it definitely happens. In fact, if I'm not in again this year, I plan to reapply next year. I wonder who holds the record for "most times waitlisted at a university?"

[wtncffts]

I've been waitlisted three times by the same university; granted, it's the only university I've applied to, as I'm not a good fit for any other university (vice versa---too few people are doing what I'm doing), and barely a good fit there. This is my third time on the list. I'm not sure if they're telling me "figure out something more widely applicable and we'll let you in later" or if they're just swamped with other more viable candidates.

But... yes, it definitely happens. In fact, if I'm not in again this year, I plan to reapply next year. I wonder who holds the record for "most times waitlisted at a university?"

I hate to say it, but it seems you really should consider broadening your interests a bit. I mean, if you're saying you're barely a good fit at a single university out of literally thousands, you must be working in an incredibly arcane or obscure intellectual niche. Even earning a PhD, you'd probably have a difficult time finding an academic position; you're also going to have a tough time with publishing and so on if the 'market' for your ideas is so tiny. Perhaps you're exaggerating or haven't looked hard enough to find compatible researchers; I hope so.

[unearthedlurker]

I hate to say it, but it seems you really should consider broadening your interests a bit. I mean, if you're saying you're barely a good fit at a single university out of literally thousands, you must be working in an incredibly arcane or obscure intellectual niche. Even earning a PhD, you'd probably have a difficult time finding an academic position; you're also going to have a tough time with publishing and so on if the 'market' for your ideas is so tiny. Perhaps you're exaggerating or haven't looked hard enough to find compatible researchers; I hope so.

You're probably right on all accounts, but do let me explain. There are three schools in the States (I don't want to move abroad) that offer a PhD in the field I'm working in, but the other two universities have theoretical and literary bents that are not conducive to my work. These schools also don't look kindly on applicants outside that spectrum (my friend applied to both--twice--and was rejected each time; upon asking what to do for improvement the second time around, she received very rude answers that suggested she needed to change her theoretical foundation). The school that I've applied to several times over has a scholar working on the same types of literature with similar theoretical scope. The difference is, this scholar works on a particular aspect *exactly opposite* of what I'm doing. He is "well published" for a blossoming field, but even then, his publications are few and far between.

So, yes, I'll have trouble publishing, and yes, I'll have a difficult time finding an academic position. But doing what I love for four years versus biting the bullet, switching subfields, and possibly not being as happy seems like a less pleasant PhD experience. I know there's a market out there, it's just being developed. I hope to someday take it to new places---places where I and this particular scholar would like to venture.

Edited March 16, 2011 by unearthedlurker