Wait Lists

[benjybrentwood]

Hey everyone,

I was wait listed at a program I am very interested. Fortunately, I have a good offer from a program that I know I could do well in and be happy at. While the program I am wait listed at was my first choice during the application process, having visited the program I have been accepted to, I'm not sure that I would automatically chose the other program if I got in, though it is likely (unfortunately if I do get off the wait list I won't be able to visit the other program, though I have met my potential adviser there and am familiar with the area where the university is located) I know that I don't have to make any decisions for a while and can wait and see what happens with the list- but does anyone have any experiences with wait lists, know how they work, etc?

[reallywantcolumbia]

Hey Benjy

I'm in pretty much the same boat. The problem is that different places seem to have different systems for their waitlists. I would email the graduate secretary and ask her to explain the waitlist to you.

[misterpat]

Seems like the most common wait-list system is for there to be wait-lists for each sub-field, as opposed to one department-wide list.

NOTE: My use of the term "most common" is entirely unscientific, and a generalization based off of my many hours logged on this forum, and possibly a few departments pages that list such info.

[mia11]

Hey all,

Just wondering, does anyone have any past/present experience with being on a waitlist? Or know of somebody who made it successfully off a wait-list and onto the 'in' list? (Even outside of History?) Care to share some stories/advice?

In particular, I'm wondering what sort of approach to adopt when emailing the graduate admissions chair in response to the notification of one's wait-list status..

(Any sample excerpts from emails of this kind would be very helpful)

thanks so much folks, :?

[lhistoire]

basically what I did was to thank the DGS for the information on my status, and then proceeded to express my continuing interest in the school. once that was out of the way, i simply asked whether or not the list was a lengthy one and where on it I was placed...I've had to do that for two schools so far (sooo frustrating), and I've received realistic and helpful responses in return. good luck!

[rwcole39]

Seems like the most common wait-list system is for there to be wait-lists for each sub-field, as opposed to one department-wide list.

NOTE: My use of the term "most common" is entirely unscientific, and a generalization based off of my many hours logged on this forum, and possibly a few departments pages that list such info.

This sounds right. Although I've found out that UChicago's waitlist is not arranged that way--instead, they consider all sub-fields equally for admission of the waitlist. At least that's what they say.

[limeinthecoconut]

My friend did get off the waitlist for an anthro program. I don't think she did anything, but she was on top of the waitlist.

Perhaps you can hunt out who's sitting on the offers, and think of creative ways of getting rid of them?

Okay, just kidding!

[amanda102]

To add to the UChicago speculation, I was told they accepted 20 for a target class of 11, with 15 on the wait list. If a spot opens up, the Admissions Office for Social Sciences will ask the Department who to admit next, and it was implied that the decision will be strongly affected by sub-field and/or supervisor.

[rwcole39]

To add to the UChicago speculation, I was told they accepted 20 for a target class of 11, with 15 on the wait list. If a spot opens up, the Admissions Office for Social Sciences will ask the Department who to admit next, and it was implied that the decision will be strongly affected by sub-field and/or supervisor.

This is, to the letter, the response I received from UChicago.

[amanda102]

Does anyone know if people on wait lists tend to take an aggressive approach (contacting faculty, etc.), or is the general wisdom to leave it up to fate?

[Auzzfest]

Just got my third waitlist /accepted but waitlisted for funding notification. I'm really gratified that these schools are considering me, but just annoying not knowing if they are truly options or not. Anyone out there with funded offers from Indiana, Georgetown, or George Washington who are thinking of passing them up? I would greatly appreciate your money :wink: .

[sra08]

Well, I don't know if this helps you at all, but I just got offered admission to GWU's MA program, and wrote back that I won't be accepting. I applied to the PhD program, and have two acceptances at PhD programs which are better fits for me. If I do end up moving across the country, which I now have some serious reservations about, it won't be for an MA.