I'm #10 on a ranked waitlist for my top choice.

[everygirl]

As the topic above, I inquired about my rank on the waitlist and I'm number 10.

In your experiences (or at least the experiences you've heard of), what are my chances of admission? I don't know how many people they admit per year. (New program, long story.) The DGS says my chances are 'not bad'. (But the DGS says a lot of things, like I had a strong application, and I've stopped trusting in him.)

Because it's a ranked waitlist, I don't think there is anything at all I can do but wait. And wait. But how much hope should I have in my heart of hearts while I wait? Is this just a delayed rejection?

Responses are very much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[id quid]

How big is the program? What's the field? Is the program funded? MA or PhD? Does the school have a national reputation, generally? Or is it well-known in a particular niche? When were you notified of the waitlist? When does their term begin? When (if at all) did they say you would hear for sure?

I'm not an applicant and have no experience with grad waitlists, but it seems like there is too much left vague for anyone to make a knowledgeable assessment. Even knowing the answers to those questions, you can only get historical information for other programs. That's at best - and even then, grad admissions has been rapidly changing in the face of rising numbers and declining budgets.

In other words:

Hang in there. You've waited this long!

[everygirl]

How big is the program? What's the field? Is the program funded? MA or PhD? Does the school have a national reputation, generally? Or is it well-known in a particular niche? When were you notified of the waitlist? When does their term begin? When (if at all) did they say you would hear for sure?

....

Hang in there. You've waited this long!

I have no idea how large a large program is, but let's say they admit between 16 - 20ish people a year. Ballpark. It's an MA program, and there isn't a lot of funding. Yes, the school is nationally known, but is better known in other fields. I'm not really sure how competitive this program is, because it's a new program and that's not particularly--I think-- well-known. I was notified of the waitlist on Thursday, and term begins (and admissions closes) in September. They didn't say when I would hear for sure. While the DGS has been being very polite, I don't know if asking would do anything. April 15th doesn't hold much weight in Canada, and sometimes people get in during the SUMMER. My sister was on a waitlist for another program at the school, they never told her, and they called to offer admission in early June. She declined, but was a little "WTF".

As far as 'hanging in there', I'm 'hanging' all right... but maybe from a rope if I don't hear soon from my other schools.

[id quid]

That is the unfortunate caveat of the wait list. They really do keep you waiting!

There are various tips and tricks for handling your time on the list -- check around the forums, but I'm speaking particularly of responding to the wait list with a kind "Thank you, I'd like to remain on the list, I'm still very interested in attending the program" and perhaps (if you have it) an updated CV with any recent accomplishments/awards -- but there simply isn't much for you to do but wait.

If it's unfunded, they have 16-20ish people, and you're #10 on the wait list, my extremely uneducated guess would say that you have even odds. If the program is new at this school but exists in other schools, I'd say your chances are slightly better. Lower if it's an entirely new program with no analogues.

"As far as 'hanging in there', I'm 'hanging' all right... but maybe from a rope if I don't hear soon from my other schools."

Hah, I know the feeling. Sorry for the cliche. I do hope your programs get back to you soon to alleviate some of the pressure!

[warpspeed]

Keep in mind the 9 people ahead of you on the waitlist likely have other offers and schools they're hearing abck from as well. For all you know, 5 of them could have already written the program off and you're actually number 5!

[everygirl]

Keep in mind the 9 people ahead of you on the waitlist likely have other offers and schools they're hearing abck from as well. For all you know, 5 of them could have already written the program off and you're actually number 5!

Thanks for saying this! I am pretending to be number 5, in my head. But if the waitlist is comprised of people like me -- desperate to get the program -- than I am in a world of sh*t. But I am pretending to be number 5 in my head to save my sanity.