Hello? Is anybody out there?

[Gneiss1]

I'm beginning to feel like this must be some sort of bad dream where I just stop existing. I have applied to five schools. I felt I had a pretty strong application initially. I have a 3.93 GPA, excellent letters of recommendation, and while my GREs weren't perfect I was in the 70th percentile which I feel isn't bad. Maybe my statement of purpose wasn't good enough or something...I keep thinking of what I should have done different?

Right now I have not heard a single answer...not one. I have been in touch with the schools, but don't want to be TOO in touch as to sound desperate. One told me I made the "short list" and my POI said they were meeting to make decisions two weeks ago...I still haven't heard anything. Not to be impatient, but the deadline for the applications were back in December. I guess I could understand if it were just one or two schools I was waiting on but all of them?! I mean they couldn't really all "still be in the decision process" could they? At this point that has to be a nice way of saying "you are waitisted, but we don't want to tell you in case other people say no and you become more desirable." Knowing April 15th is a week away isn't even comforting as I realize it still could be quite a bit beyond that.

I don't even know how to begin planning right now. I have a whole family to move if I get in and need to figure out finances and daycare, etc. If I don't get in I need to get a job to get us through until next application season, but I don't know that I want to put in all this effort applying for jobs when I don't even know an answer yet. Ugh I'm just venting but this is really frustrating...and depressing. At this point at least a reject would confirm I exist! :/

[juilletmercredi]

You didn't specify your field…but it's possible that you did absolutely nothing wrong. Most graduate programs have more qualified applicants apply than they can accommodate, and sometimes it simply comes down to fit or funding or who's going on sabbatical that year or who's advisor they know.

I would say that for many programs, not knowing at this late date does indeed mean you were informally waitlisted. But some programs simply take a long time to decide things.

[TeaGirl]

I sympathize. I've applied to 5 schools as well, been rejected at one and waitlisted at another. From the rest: silence.

It seems that most people will be hearing back by April 15th, but I guess for some of us the wait will be longer than that, especially if we weren't first round acceptances or rejections.

I wish you all the best, and I hope we all here some good news soon!

[imonedaful]

I haven't heard from 2/3 schools that I have applied to. However, I learned from somebody on here they did not find out from one of my programs until May 15th last year. So, I may still be waiting for awhile. I am pretty sure admissions committees are not doing it on purpose just to torture you. It is a long and complicated process.

[sansao]

Just so you have an answer from another Geophysics applicant. I've heard from 2/4. The first was a rejection back in February. The second I contacted and they told me I was on the "fairly far down the waitlist, and probably wouldn't receive an offer, but it wasn't over yet." About 9 hours later, I got a rejection from them. From what I've heard, the other two are in fact still in assessment. So, it seems like it's mostly just taking a really long time. I wouldn't freak out yet. Just drop a polite inquiry by phone or email, and let them know you're concerned because the 15th is so close. That's my take, though. Others may have something else to offer.