At what point do you email?

[GreenePony]

My top wish/dream/reach program sent out at least one invitation to interview yesterday morning. I have not received an email nor has my status on applyyourself changed beyond 'submitted' which it has been all along. There really isn't enough information in the survey to tell if they spread it out over several days or not but my gut is telling me not as this is a couple days after any other results have been posted in previous years.The program gets around 60-80 applicants if memory serves and invited 20-30 for interviews so it's possible they emailed everyone already and lost my application, or they just don't notify people if they don't make the interview stage.

My friend who is at the school but different program (much larger program, in the sciences not humanities) said to wait a couple days but that makes me nervous. Interview weekend is in 2-3 weeks so there isn't that much time to begin with to organize everything.

I visited this summer and the secretary is really nice (her son was doing Peace Corps in the same country I did my field school) so I don't think she would mind me emailing to ask if I should assume I have not made it to the next round but I'm just nervous. Should I wait a couple more days?

Edited February 21, 2012 by GreenePony

[We regret to inform you]

If you're going to try to find out, i would call instead of emailing. That way you know you'll get an actual response.

[GreenePony]

But should I just go ahead and contact them the day after they sent out an invite or wait? That's the part that concerns me the most. The secretary was great about getting back to my emails before, so that's less of a concern, that and her desk is ~4 feet from the director's so he would hear if I called and that just terrifies me, I don't want to be labeled the neurotic one if by some miracle I am invited for calling too soon.

(I fully admit I tend to be rather neurotic- I just don't want them to know that)

Edited February 21, 2012 by GreenePony

[We regret to inform you]

I'm sure they get lots of eager phone calls and emails this time of year every year. I don't think calling once is going to anger anybody.

However, if you've told yourself you will only call just once, then I'd wait til the end of the week. Everybody's happiest on fridays, right? That's probably a good day to call.

[coonskee]

My roommate during interview weekend was in touch with the grad secretary at least twice after the interview weekend to talk about when acceptances and rejections would be sent out... and she still got in! Though I wouldn't advise calling more than once (just in case), they know that everyone is anxious and will surely understand and be helpful

[lumbarmoose]

Honestly I think you're over thinking this one a bit. As We Regret to Inform You said, I'm sure they are fielding LOTS of anxious calls this time of the year, so I really don't think you have to worry about being singled out as annoying/neurotic/obnoxious/etc.

[GreenePony]

Thanks everyone! I sucked it up and shot her a quick email in response to one she sent me to just remind her who I was. Hopefully, they just have the invites divided over several days but I've pretty much given up hope at this point.