Wait listing is NOT the end!

[rdsull89]

Out of curiosity, how many folks that are waitlisted applied as direct admits straight from undergrad?

I'm applying straight from undergrad. If I don't get into one of my 3, I'll just take a year off and try again (since that means more time for GRE retake, and end of the year awards/honors etc).

Good luck, everyone!

Edited February 28, 2012 by rdsull89

[GuateAmfeminist]

Out of curiosity, how many folks that are waitlisted applied as direct admits straight from undergrad? I only applied to one Ph.D. program and one M.A. program due to my inability to move away from the county I currently live in (husband's work, owning our home, and residency restrictions on child custody put the kibosh on moving for grad school). Luckily, I made it onto the waitlist for the Ph.D., and accepted to one of the M.A.s with a grad assistantship. I'm just curious what it means if the school says there are "very few students" on the list. My very few means 3-4; does the DGS mean more? Also, while the letter reassured me that they would let me know if a spot opens up sooner rather than later,they will definitely notify me about an official acceptance or rejection by May 1st. May 1st?!? I'll be bald by then from pulling my hair out! In the meantime, I'm planning on attending the recruitment weekend, setting up initial meetings with the professors I want to work with if I get in to the Ph.D. program, and lining up outside funding for my research.

My husband and I are applying to grad school after 3 years of teaching (2 of them through TFA). We are applying to different programs (me English, him Political Theory), so that has been a big factor - we both need to be going to school in the same area so we tried applying to multiple schools in the same city (ex. Chicago). However, this hasn't been working so well. UT-Austin is our only semi-"hit" since he got in and I'm on the Wait List. It would seem like real life experience would be a plus to your resume but that real-life experience sure makes it hard to get back to college...

[Fiona Thunderpaws]

I'm basically a directly applying from undergrad. I graduated last year and spent the fall applying and auditing a grad class at my undergrad university. I only have one waitlist so far though, and looks like seven rejections. Sooo, all and all, I think real life experience is a plus as far as acceptances go.

[coffeeplease]

I am a couple years out of undergrad, but only have a BA. Only applied to PhD programs.

Also, I have a wait-list related dilemma that I'd like to run by you, wise comrades of the Grad Cafe. I was admitted to a school (let's call it A) in the same city as another school where I was waitlisted ( B ). I will be visiting the city for a few days at the end of this week. I just got my schedule from School A, and it will leave me with plenty of free time, in which I could theoretically visit School B. The thing is, on paper I am pretty sure I would rather go to School A and I don't want to waste B's time. A and B are both part of a consortium, so it is very likely that I would end up taking courses at School B and working with POIs there. Both schools have profs working in the areas that I want to study, and I love the city and wouldn't want to miss an opportunity to study there, should School A turn out to be a poor match.

Details of my visit are already covered by a combination of School A and a friend with a comfy couch, so it while it wouldn't cost B anything but time, I still feel kinda guilty at the thought of asking them to go out of their way to do anything for me. What do you think -- email POIs and ask if they are free to meet? Or just let it go and see what happens?

(Edited to remove accidental emoticon)

Edited February 28, 2012 by coffeeplease

[rainy_day]

I just got my schedule from School A, and it will leave me with plenty of free time, in which I could theoretically visit School B. The thing is, on paper I am pretty sure I would rather go to School A and I don't want to waste B's time.

STOP THINKING LIKE THIS. You are not wasting anyone's time, and if a program gives you that impression RUN AWAY. Sorry for the caps lock bomb, but this whole system will chew us up an spit us out if we don't insist on our own value. Waitlisting, while slightly less awesome than an immediate acceptance, means that they perceive you as someone of value, someone they would like to invest in if the $$ works out. Go visit school B; you will not be wasting anyone's time!

Also, don't make a decision about how things look like "on paper" when you have a chance to meet with people in person! Arm yourself with as much info as possible.

[Fiona Thunderpaws]

I'm with Rainy_Day on this one. I think because you will probably end up working with people from school B, you should definitely try to see if they're willing to discuss things with you.

[coffeeplease]

You guys are right of course.

This whole process is just confidence destroying (I say as I try to compose an email to the last school I'm waiting on, because I just want to move on with my life!). -sigh-

[rubyrunner]

Also, don't make a decision about how things look like "on paper" when you have a chance to meet with people in person! Arm yourself with as much info as possible.

This. I was in a similar situation last year, except I was wait listed at my top choice. Visiting campus was one of the best decisions I made, since I had the opportunity to talk to POIs and see what a good fit the school would be. Everyone was incredibly kind, and basically treated me like an already admitted student. If you have the time and means to make it happen, visiting campus is worth it.

I would recommend you contact the DGS to set up an official visit, since they often have a planned itinerary for wait listed students. In my case, the DGS put me in contact with the graduate coordinator, who in turn set up meetings with POIs and students.

[Fiona Thunderpaws]

While we're on the topic of visiting schools we're waitlisted at...

I'm waitlisted at my top choice, and I emailed the DGS about visiting the school, and he discouraged me from visiting before recruitment weekend for various reasons. The problem is, recruitment weekend is in early April. He did say that if I was made an offer that late in the game he would extend the decisions deadline so I could visit, but I'd really like some of my questions answered earlier than that.

So I guess my question is--to all of your wonderful sage and likewise waitlisted people--what's the best way to ask for more information without seeming overbearing and/or desperate? I'd love to get the emails of some of the grad students so I could ask them questions, and maybe just express my interest to my POIs. I'm probably overthinking this whole thing, but I can't shake the feeling that there's some sort of unspoken rules about the dos and don'ts of being waitlisted. I think this whole process has robbed me of my senses.

[TripWillis]

While we're on the topic of visiting schools we're waitlisted at...

I'm waitlisted at my top choice, and I emailed the DGS about visiting the school, and he discouraged me from visiting before recruitment weekend for various reasons. The problem is, recruitment weekend is in early April. He did say that if I was made an offer that late in the game he would extend the decisions deadline so I could visit, but I'd really like some of my questions answered earlier than that.

So I guess my question is--to all of your wonderful sage and likewise waitlisted people--what's the best way to ask for more information without seeming overbearing and/or desperate? I'd love to get the emails of some of the grad students so I could ask them questions, and maybe just express my interest to my POIs. I'm probably overthinking this whole thing, but I can't shake the feeling that there's some sort of unspoken rules about the dos and don'ts of being waitlisted. I think this whole process has robbed me of my senses.

I would also like to know the answer to this. My waitlist school has been very friendly and open, but I don't know what the etiquette is.

[rainy_day]

I met with a prof today for some advice on the strategy of being waitlisted, and he suggested the following:

A huge number of the cohort at my current school (a well-respected PhD program) comes in of the waitlist each year. So there is reason to be hopeful! At the same time, people who have been accepted often take their time making a decision (understandably). This means you might not hear until very close to the April 15th deadline, and when this happens, things move very fast. Be prepared to wait. And then for it to be a little crazy.

If you have been accepted to another school, or are on another waitlist, let them know, as this can sometimes move things along more quickly. What often happens is that the "first tier" of waitlisters have other offers & have accepted those offers by the time the waitlisting school gets to them. As a result, knowing you have other offers might light a fire, largely in order to prevent this from happening.

Relatedly, if the waitlist school is your first choice--tell them that! In the mad dash leading up to April 15th, admitting someone who you know will likely accept becomes increasingly more attractive.

Also, after you first hear you are on a waitlist, give it about 2 weeks before following up on your status & how quickly the list is moving along (beyond your initial response/questions/etc), but feel free to follow up. It let's them know you are still interested.

Some questions my prof suggested asking the DGS: What is the teaching (assistantship) and mentorship like? What kind of professionalization is available, beyond coursework? What are the steps leading up to/preparing for the dissertation? Also, try to get a sense of new work of faculty and what (new) courses will be offered while you are there.

Also, it can be helpful to ask to be put in contact with current PhD students. Some questions he suggested asking students: How interested is faculty in dissertation projects? Do students feel their work has been constrained or encouraged?

Edited February 28, 2012 by rainy_day

[TripWillis]

All of this is SO helpful rainy, thank you! I hope that if (probably more like when) I decline Amherst, you get in. Have to visit to be sure, but it's pretty likely. What's your area?

Edited February 28, 2012 by TripWillis

[rainy_day]

Thanks Trip! I'm interested in 20th/21st American--transnational feminism, theory, neoimperialism, 9-11 studies. I hope you get to turn down UMass for Rutgers.

[TripWillis]

Thanks Trip! I'm interested in 20th/21st American--transnational feminism, theory, neoimperialism, 9-11 studies. I hope you get to turn down UMass for Rutgers.

That's fairly close to my field, at least the 20th/21st C American part.

[Phil Sparrow]

I am a couple years out of undergrad, but only have a BA. Only applied to PhD programs.

Also, I have a wait-list related dilemma that I'd like to run by you, wise comrades of the Grad Cafe. I was admitted to a school (let's call it A) in the same city as another school where I was waitlisted ( B ). I will be visiting the city for a few days at the end of this week. I just got my schedule from School A, and it will leave me with plenty of free time, in which I could theoretically visit School B. The thing is, on paper I am pretty sure I would rather go to School A and I don't want to waste B's time. A and B are both part of a consortium, so it is very likely that I would end up taking courses at School B and working with POIs there. Both schools have profs working in the areas that I want to study, and I love the city and wouldn't want to miss an opportunity to study there, should School A turn out to be a poor match.

Details of my visit are already covered by a combination of School A and a friend with a comfy couch, so it while it wouldn't cost B anything but time, I still feel kinda guilty at the thought of asking them to go out of their way to do anything for me. What do you think -- email POIs and ask if they are free to meet? Or just let it go and see what happens?

(Edited to remove accidental emoticon)

Is School A paying for your visit? If so, it is bad form to go visit B on A's dime. A recruit at my program did that a couple of years ago, and managed to earn a poor reputation as a colleague before he even got to grad school (as it turned out, he's now not at my program or our neighbor).

If you can, stay an extra day and visit B. But you want to make sure you are respectful of the program you are there for during your visit, especially if they're financing it.

[Fiona Thunderpaws]

Thanks so much Rainy_Day! Your advice is super helpful. I already told the DGS his program is my top choice, and since this waitlist is the best I've done this season, I'm willing to wait a long time. The waiting is the worst part. I was prepared for a shut out, so while this is super exciting, it also prolongs the agony...

Anyway, here's to everyone getting into their top choices for Fall 2012! I wish we could all have a party when it's over with. I'll bring the cake. Cake baking is my backup plan after all.

[flower303]

Thanks, rainy! So glad to hear your perspective on this.

I also got waitlisted at my top choice, but from communicating with the DGS and my POI, it sounds like the "ranking" of the list is fairly set in stone and now it's just a numbers game, and I wonder if telling them that it is my first choice at this point might sound a little desperate or something...? I'm pretty sure I've overthought every last step of this process, probably to my detriment, which I why I didn't mention during the on-campus interviews that it was my first choice. D'oh.

[rainy_day]

Also, another important thing my advisor said!

Schools typically remember who they place on their waitlist, and if (worst case scenario) you don't make it in this year, you stand a really great chance of being accepted the next round. So don't despair!

[Fiona Thunderpaws]

Uh oh, they remember our names? That's a scary though o.o

[ComeBackZinc]

Also, another important thing my advisor said!

Schools typically remember who they place on their waitlist, and if (worst case scenario) you don't make it in this year, you stand a really great chance of being accepted the next round. So don't despair!

A friend of mine applied to Harvard three times. The first time, he was rejected. The second time, he was placed on the waitlist at #1-- and nobody declined. The third time, he got in. I can't imagine going through that, but stuff like that does happen.

Such great advice, rainy day, thanks for sharing.

[pelevinfan]

A friend of mine applied to Harvard three times. The first time, he was rejected. The second time, he was placed on the waitlist at #1-- and nobody declined. The third time, he got in. I can't imagine going through that, but stuff like that does happen.

Such great advice, rainy day, thanks for sharing.

Wow, that is some serious chutzpah.

[fredngeorge]

Also, another important thing my advisor said!

Schools typically remember who they place on their waitlist, and if (worst case scenario) you don't make it in this year, you stand a really great chance of being accepted the next round. So don't despair!

I'm not sure that they will remember names unless you keep in contact.

That said, I was waitlisted last year on my 2nd application to a particular university (rejected the first time), had positive feedback and contact throughout the waitlist process, and after maintaining contact and receiving no genuinely helpful feedback on how to improve this time around, have been implicitly rejected from that university this year (my third application). For me, I'm pretty sure my one waitlist (in 6 years/4 app cycles) WAS the end. I don't want to be a hope-killer, but right now, I'm wishing somebody had given me a reality check before I went through this again.....

***Edited to apologize for being so negative on a thread meant for hope. I'll go back and live in the 0% Confidence of Acceptance thread now.....

Edited February 28, 2012 by fredngeorge

[coffeeplease]

Is School A paying for your visit? If so, it is bad form to go visit B on A's dime. A recruit at my program did that a couple of years ago, and managed to earn a poor reputation as a colleague before he even got to grad school (as it turned out, he's now not at my program or our neighbor).

If you can, stay an extra day and visit B. But you want to make sure you are respectful of the program you are there for during your visit, especially if they're financing it.

This is something else I was wondering about. I am arranging all of this informally because I have to travel from abroad and work around my job -- it is during neither A nor B's recruitment weekends. School A is reimbursing me for part of the plane ticket. I arranged accommodations on my own and am otherwise paying for everything myself (including other travel costs). I already have a few extra days, as they managed to pack everything into a really short amount of time and I overbudgeted the time I would need in the area.

Still -- am I in ethically sleazy territory? That is absolutely NOT how I want to start off my new career, and obviously I won't approach B if that's what they will think of me. I am not a crook (*Nixon pose*)!

Edit to clarify: I was only considering asking one or two profs to have coffee and/or chat, nothing more formal than that.

Edited February 28, 2012 by coffeeplease

[rubyrunner]

I just declined my offer at UC Riverside. Sad to do so, as it's a lovely place! I hope it's helpful to a waitlister on these boards.

[rdsull89]

I just declined my offer at UC Riverside. Sad to do so, as it's a lovely place! I hope it's helpful to a waitlister on these boards.

Coincidental timing. I just contacted the DGS at UCR yesterday about visiting and meeting with some people. Very nice and helpful.

Have you decided on where you're going rubyrunner?

Edited February 29, 2012 by rdsull89