The waitlist thread

[avee]

How many others are suffering from waitlist syndrome? Being that so-so applicant that isn't good enough to offer admittance off the bat, but not terrible enough to be rejected? I'm waitlisted at 3 universities so far.

Big, big sigh.

[MinervasOwl]

One waitlist here. There's another waitlist thread happening by the way

[starbucks_lattie]

It's been so difficult to be on the waitlist, anxiously waiting for a word from the program...

[splitends]

Wow. There is no way that being on a waitlist is evidence of being a "so-so" candidate. In a process this competitive, "so-so" gets you cut really early on. Obviously the situation is frustrating, but being on a waitlist is still a pretty solid sign of excellence...

[sociology27]

I'm on the waitlist at a top 5 school but have an awesome offer and great fit from a school slightly further down overall, though extremely good in my specialization, and am thinking about taking it. Thoughts??

[Karlito]

I am exactly in the same case, sociology27. Waiting for a top 10 but already in at a top 20. Don't know what to do! Just wait, I guess.

[sociology27]

well the thing is this; I'm thinking about doing something most people would consider crazy, which is to take the offer from the second school regardless. The overall ranking difference is significant (top 5 vs. top 30ish) but I kindof just feel like saying "screw it" and choosing all the other factors over the one that seems to dominate all the others for so many people. It helps that the second school has a very good placement record that is better than it's overall ranking.

It seems too right to be wrong.

[abc123xtc]

I would suggest taking offers from the schools you are already admitted to... I read somewhere that the chances of you being taken off the waitlist is very slim.

[sciencegirl]

Any reason to decide now, as opposed to waiting until the first week of April? We all get until April 15... and I think most people plan on accepting or declining in late March after all their visits. This would provide schools with a more clear picture of WL admits at that time. I think it really depends on the school as to the difficulty on getting on or off a WL... but I would also add that it seems that for many schools, getting off a WL is really hard, especially ones that admit larger cohorts. (The smaller cohort schools that admit 2-3, seem to be easier since if 2 people decline, they dont' want 1 person, so they will reach into a WL)

Anyone here get off a WL from a previous year want to share their experience?

Edited March 2, 2012 by sciencegirl

[allhandsonthebadone]

All I have so far is one waitlist at Indiana. No acceptances at all. I am really hoping those who get accepted there take other offers.

[Cup of Tea]

well the thing is this; I'm thinking about doing something most people would consider crazy, which is to take the offer from the second school regardless. The overall ranking difference is significant (top 5 vs. top 30ish) but I kindof just feel like saying "screw it" and choosing all the other factors over the one that seems to dominate all the others for so many people. It helps that the second school has a very good placement record that is better than it's overall ranking.

It seems too right to be wrong.

I'm in the same situation. Waitlisted at Wisconsin-Madison, accepted with full funding at Rutgers, which is actually a perfect fit for me. Ranking aside, I it is probably even better. The what-if bugs me a bit (especially after I was told I was at the top of the wait list), but I am not sure I should even wait. I know I would be extremely happy at Rutgers, but on the other hand, would that be a significant setback, academic career-wise?

[Karlito]

Since the funding package at Wisconsin is not the best, people with other offers in the top 5-10 will likely decline. It seems very likely that you will get a spot. To me, the difference between Rutgers and Wisconsin is not negligible at all.

[sociology27]

Well the point Cup of Tea and I are making, I think, is that "success," placement, and happiness in grad school has to do with multiple things. Rank is important, no doubt, when it comes to the first two and possibly the third if you have some insecurities you probably should work out. BUT, sometimes the other factors (fit, location, money, specialization, specific faculty) are enough to outweigh what is actually a non-negligible drop in rankings, which might be the case for Cup of Tea. I was actually told by a professor at my UG institution, with all the information out there, that based on fit and the department's recruitment of me and specialization, I should not wait for the top-5 one. Now, in my case, everything, and I do mean EVERYTHING, besides ranking is pointing me to the lower-ranked school. And for me, I think, at this point, it's enough to put it over the top.

I realize that this is an unconventional move, and perhaps a bit riskier career wise, but I've thought about it from every angle and won't have any regrets no matter what what happens.

But I still haven't pulled the trigger.

[faculty]

Being that so-so applicant that isn't good enough to offer admittance off the bat, but not terrible enough to be rejected?

While it might not make you feel better, I will say that some of the most successful people who I went to school with in my (then) Top 10 department were initially wait-listed for our graduate program. Some went on to get jobs in the Top 10 themselves. I see this in the students in my own program now. Some of our very best are students we didn't take in the first round. In other words, where you start in the "rankings" of students has absolutely nothing to do with where you are when you finish or the quality of education you get when you arrive. If you get into a program and decide to attend, you'll want to shed that sense of being so-so or somehow unlike the others or it will weigh you down.

I hope you hear something positive soon. It's still really early in the decision process and schools have to know who is not coming before they can decide who else to invite.

[ThisSlumgullionIsSoVapid]

How many others are suffering from waitlist syndrome? Being that so-so applicant that isn't good enough to offer admittance off the bat, but not terrible enough to be rejected? I'm waitlisted at 3 universities so far.

Big, big sigh.

Definitely not a so-so person to be on a wait list. Different departments have different needs. It might be that one professor already has 3 or 4 people wanting to work with him/her and because of that they want to bring in people with other research specializations. It doesn't mean you are any less competitive. Also, just think that there are hundreds of people applying to programs... being on a wait list does not mean you are so so, it means you are WAY better off than the other few hundred that got straight up denied. There are other things that come into play that can decide between wait list and who got a straight acceptance. Shit, to be honest, I'd be stoked if i were to get even a wait list at a top 20 program so for someone to say that they are just a so-so because they are waitlisted at a top program makes me want to slap them up side the head.

Just think of all the people that don't get into a single program, not a top 10, not top 20, not top 50, not even masters programs they apply to as back ups.

[Cup of Tea]

Well the point Cup of Tea and I are making, I think, is that "success," placement, and happiness in grad school has to do with multiple things. Rank is important, no doubt, when it comes to the first two and possibly the third if you have some insecurities you probably should work out. BUT, sometimes the other factors (fit, location, money, specialization, specific faculty) are enough to outweigh what is actually a non-negligible drop in rankings, which might be the case for Cup of Tea. I was actually told by a professor at my UG institution, with all the information out there, that based on fit and the department's recruitment of me and specialization, I should not wait for the top-5 one. Now, in my case, everything, and I do mean EVERYTHING, besides ranking is pointing me to the lower-ranked school. And for me, I think, at this point, it's enough to put it over the top.

I realize that this is an unconventional move, and perhaps a bit riskier career wise, but I've thought about it from every angle and won't have any regrets no matter what what happens.

But I still haven't pulled the trigger.

This is just like listening to myself. Fit-wise, both universities are perfect, I am unable to judge the location (international), and from talking to current students, I would be happy at either place. It is just the ranking, which is obviously important in terms of what I get to do after the PhD. So this is the only thing keeping me from accepting Rutgers' offer right away; after a lot of pleasant exchanges with the faculty and graduate students, I am obviously very drawn to them, but I keep thinking maybe I should wait, even though I am not sure how I would react if I really was offered a place. On the other hand, I gather Rutgers' funding offer is better, and that is also a factor. Oh well..

My ramblings aside, good luck to everyone waiting.

[avee]

Thanks all for the positive feedback. I will say that the in-between feeling is a funny place, and I can't help but feel a bit awkward until final decisions are made.

I would suggest taking offers from the schools you are already admitted to... I read somewhere that the chances of you being taken off the waitlist is very slim.

Does anyone know if the above is true? Any thoughts to how the waitlist process works?

[ThisSlumgullionIsSoVapid]

Thanks all for the positive feedback. I will say that the in-between feeling is a funny place, and I can't help but feel a bit awkward until final decisions are made.

Does anyone know if the above is true? Any thoughts to how the waitlist process works?

If you're on a waitlist for a program you really want to get into, don't jump the gun and accept to a program before the deadline.

In fact, I would probably wait til April 14th to submit an official acceptance to a place seeing as how most places ask for a final decision by the 15th.

You might regret accepting somewhere if a program contacts you last minute that a spot opened up because people started turning in their decisions.

[MinervasOwl]

I don't think anyone can make predictions about the likelihood of getting off your waitlist or not. It probably differs from school to school. I got wait listed at a school where they only take in 5 people. And since this is a fairly rural location and not a top 10 program I wouldn't be at all surprised if the accepted candidates choose some other school to go to. No need to give up hope- but no reason to throw a party yet either. Just keep yourself busy somehow and don't dwell on it too much. I'm even applying for jobs now and making alternate plans. Whatever will be will be.