To call or not to call?

[CP3]

So, this might be a dumb question, but has anyone tried to call or email admissions about their application status?

 

I sent an email several days ago asking if the University had all of the required materials for my application (basically, I'm 95% percent sure they do, I was just trying to squeeze out some info from them!)

 

I know that it's probably a big waste of time to ask schools about an application, but has anyone on here had any luck contacting admissions and getting more information or even an early decision???

 

 

[iowaguy]

You risk annoying them by calling.  IMHO don't call once your application is submitted and they've verified that they received all your materials.

[CP3]

You risk annoying them by calling.  IMHO don't call once your application is submitted and they've verified that they received all your materials.

yeah, that's what I figured. I just wish some of these schools would notify people early if the application is going to be rejected, seems like some schools probably already know who didn't make the cut, yet they wait 3 months to let you know

 

OH well, such is life....

[iowaguy]

Patience is a virtue, my friend...

[CP3]

Patience is a virtue, my friend...

indeed

[gradorbust]

Its a virtue because it sucks.  But we are at their mercy, so better to look cool under pressure than not.

 

 

....and that is why I started insanity JUST around the time the acceptances/rejections started.

Edited February 1, 2013 by gradorbust

[RubyBright]

Maybe we should gather together everyone who applied to a certain school, and have them draw straws to see who should call and ask about when decisions are being made. 

[MSW13]

yeah, that's what I figured. I just wish some of these schools would notify people early if the application is going to be rejected, seems like some schools probably already know who didn't make the cut, yet they wait 3 months to let you know

 

OH well, such is life....

I'm not sure if this is the case everywhere but last year when I applied, I found out very early that I had been rejected (decision dates were supposed to be in March/April but I found out at the end of Jan/early Feb).  Only one school rejected me at the anticipated decision date.  I didn't realize it then but I didn't meet one of the criteria. So I was instantly rejected by the graduate admissions dept without having my application forwarded on to the commitee for review.

So basically what I'm saying here is that it is possible to hear early regarding rejection.  However, I should also say that I called the admin secretary and asked about the status of my application (by then I had figured out that my gpa wasn't going to make it). Within days, I got the rejection letter.  I dont know if my call prompted her to end my misery or if that is what they do for everybody.

Anyways, based on my experience, the longer they take to get back to me, the better

[Radian]

There is nothing wrong with calling ! You have PAID THEM IN CASH ! it's the least to expect them to answer a simple phone call which lasts 10 seconds or so.

 

Ok 1000 people call ? FUNNY ! look at it this way 1000 x 100$ .

[LndscpDsign]

I'll play the devils advocate, I work in admissions for my campus job so I see all of this(and occasionally deal with it) all the time. I know the admissions officers find it extremely taxing to take these calls because ultimately it's taking them away from reviewing the files. Also I know lots of people are hearing back with decisions, but it's still very early in the season. I know I won't be hearing until mid to late march, if not early April. Don't wanna be a negative nancy but remember the people looking at your application are only human and I watch them take applications home with them after work, stay up most of the night, and review on weekends because they understand how important this is to you.

[stillalivetui]

There is nothing wrong with calling ! You have PAID THEM IN CASH ! it's the least to expect them to answer a simple phone call which lasts 10 seconds or so.

 

Ok 1000 people call ? FUNNY ! look at it this way 1000 x 100$ .

 

Thank you for this.

[RubyBright]

I'll play the devils advocate, I work in admissions for my campus job so I see all of this(and occasionally deal with it) all the time. I know the admissions officers find it extremely taxing to take these calls because ultimately it's taking them away from reviewing the files. Also I know lots of people are hearing back with decisions, but it's still very early in the season. I know I won't be hearing until mid to late march, if not early April. Don't wanna be a negative nancy but remember the people looking at your application are only human and I watch them take applications home with them after work, stay up most of the night, and review on weekends because they understand how important this is to you.

 

I'm sure it's different for every kind of program (and school), but mine do admissions committees in the individual departments... so all I would like to know is when they think the ad coms might meet to start looking at apps. They're meeting tomorrow? Awesome. They're meeting the first week of March? Well, okay. It makes a difference for how I handle communications with other schools, and how often I check my apps.   But the information can be pretty hard to come by. I completely appreciate the time and effort that goes into application review; when possible, I just think it would be nice to have at least a ballpark on when the process begins.

Edited February 1, 2013 by RubyBright

[LndscpDsign]

Oh believe me I wish I had a range of when it will start too. All of my apps status still say "submitted" and my deadlines were almost two months ago. I'm too scared to call though. I've seen how an annoyed/grumpy/mad admissions officer can influence how your app is viewed lol. So right now I'm using the "leave and let live" tactic hahaha.

[Wemayet]

Patience...

Its a virtue because it sucks. 

 

HAHAHAHAHA!  I thought I was a patient person.  Recently, I have learned otherwise.  No acceptances, no rejections, no interviews... for God's sake, punch me so I know I'm alive.

[golfjabroni]

I am sure everyone sees their situations as unique, but I have a huge problem.  I teach internationally, and in the international teaching community, contracts are usually issued and signed by the beginning of February.  I am in that position now.  I have contacted the school where I applied, and I was told that "the admissions team reviewed my application and report that it is 'solid' but that no final decisions will be made until the beginning of March.

 

It has been a couple of weeks since that email, but I have to decide on a contract in the next week.  I can't afford to go without a job if I don't get into school, but I don't want to give up the chance to go to school because I already signed a contract.

 

Do I contact the school again to ask if any progress has been made?  I don't think the previous conversation was enough to lead me to believe I am in.

[MSW13]

I am sure everyone sees their situations as unique, but I have a huge problem.  I teach internationally, and in the international teaching community, contracts are usually issued and signed by the beginning of February.  I am in that position now.  I have contacted the school where I applied, and I was told that "the admissions team reviewed my application and report that it is 'solid' but that no final decisions will be made until the beginning of March.

 

It has been a couple of weeks since that email, but I have to decide on a contract in the next week.  I can't afford to go without a job if I don't get into school, but I don't want to give up the chance to go to school because I already signed a contract.

 

Do I contact the school again to ask if any progress has been made?  I don't think the previous conversation was enough to lead me to believe I am in.

That is very tricky! If I was you, I would call/email the school and explain my situation.  But *only* if you are being pressured by your employer to sign a contract immediately.  If your employer will allow you to sign in a week or two, or in the (unlikely) case that they will allow you to sign now with the condition that you will be voiding the contract if you are accepted, I wouldn't call. 

[SchoolPsychGirl]

Oops posted this in wrong thread...sorry

Edited February 2, 2013 by SchoolPsychGirl

[golfjabroni]

That is very tricky! If I was you, I would call/email the school and explain my situation.  But *only* if you are being pressured by your employer to sign a contract immediately.  If your employer will allow you to sign in a week or two, or in the (unlikely) case that they will allow you to sign now with the condition that you will be voiding the contract if you are accepted, I wouldn't call. 

Unfortunately, I will have to sign the contract in the next week or it will be gone.  It wouldn't be as big a deal except that my wife will also be signing.  I contacted the school a couple of weeks ago to explain the situation and they did me the favor of looking at my application materials.  Unfortunately, all they could tell me was that my application "looks solid" but they won't be sure until March.

 

I don't want to screw things up by emailing or calling again, but at the same time, if I sign my contract I will have to decline an offer in March if they give one.

[MSW13]

Unfortunately, I will have to sign the contract in the next week or it will be gone.  It wouldn't be as big a deal except that my wife will also be signing.  I contacted the school a couple of weeks ago to explain the situation and they did me the favor of looking at my application materials.  Unfortunately, all they could tell me was that my application "looks solid" but they won't be sure until March.

 

I don't want to screw things up by emailing or calling again, but at the same time, if I sign my contract I will have to decline an offer in March if they give one.

If you did contact them a couple of weeks ago (as opposed to a few days ago), I think it would be okay to call and see if there has been a change in your status.  I think the big difference here is that you are not simply being impatient, you are in a true predicament. Now if you call and they still say wait until March, then you have to make a difficult decision. 

If you sign a contract, are you prepared to deal with the penalty for reneging? Would your wife sign regardless or would this affect her employment as well?  Is it possible for you to decline the contract and find employment elsewhere should you not get admitted to grad school or is that really the only job you would want?   

[CP3]

It seems that schools have made it virtually impossible to get any answers, the whole APRIL 15th rule basically gives them an excuse to take their sweet time reviewing applications. 

 

However, I feel sorry for the admissions people that have to deal with excessive amounts of phone calls and emails while trying to do their jobs.

 

It's a tough process for everyone, wish it could be easier, oh well