Asking for updates on application

[yumangous]

Hi all! I've sent in my application to 2/3 programs for Fall 2014. For one school I applied to, the admissions officer told me that it takes 3-4 weeks for the department to make a decision (unlike most schools which send out all decisions in March). I took this very seriously and now that almost 5 weeks have passed since I submitted my application, I'm getting more and more anxious. So I decided to ask the admissions officer from the graduate school if there are any updates on the status of my application. Is this okay? At the same time, I'm just worried that following up on my application may turn them off. I just really want to know the result of this application so I can decide if I will still apply to a third school this November.      

[AdilB990]

Wow, you've applied really early! Good for you.

 

Having applied for Spring 2014, I can say from personal experience that the processing time varies for universities. I've applied to 4 US Schools over the last couple of months; and I'm still waiting on a decision from one of them. The waiting period drains you mentally and psychologically!

 

My advice is that you should first ask the admissions officer whether your application has been sent for review or not. From what I understand, the admin staff takes a little bit of time to compile your application materials before sending them to the admission committee or the faculty concerned. Once its sent for review, then it'll take 3-4 weeks for the decision. But trust me, that timeline isn't written in stone! Just try to keep yourself busy elsewhere till the decision comes. Easier said than done though. 

 

Best of luck!

[yumangous]

I just received an email from the admissions officer that the result of my application won't come in in 3 to 4 weeks after all like she initially said. According to her, they will wait until after the deadline before the department reviews the applications and the results will come mid-March. Huhu. Guess I'll have to wait longer haha!

[AdilB990]

Oh dear God, that's a long wait! But then again, applying for grad school is nothing short of an epic war. There are plenty of battles that you have to fight along the way. Till that moment when you get the decision in! :-)

Although I'm not from your field, you should consider applying to at least 2 more universities. Just to be on the safe side.