Is the department Chair generally on the admissions committee?

[radiomars]

I know it varies by department and school, but I'm just wondering what the general trend is.

[smmmu]

I would think the answer is generally 'No', as department chair they'd be busy enough.

[Eigen]

Only at one department I'm aware of.

They're often not on search committees either.

[rising_star]

Depends. A couple of years ago my advisor was acting dept head and also on the admissions committee. But, he's one of those people that really likes to be involved in shaping the department so he didn't really mind the extra work. Where I did my MA, the dept head was never on the adcom.

[moody]

Unlikely, unless it's quite a small department. That said, he/she would still have a say in admissions like any other professor (esp. if the candidate has a similar area of interest).

[clintoncerejo]

Nope..it doesn't like that what you are thinking.