Nominated for a fellowship before I even submitted my application?

[wardword]

Okay, I'm sort of nervous about this.

 

There is one school that has a pretty earlier funding deadline compared to all of my other schools, and I only have five days before it is due. Although I opened up an application, I was planning on not applying there because it only has funding at the Ph.D level and I was not terribly thrilled at applying for a Ph.D, and also the application fee is nearly DOUBLE the cost of all my other schools. So I've submitted my scores, my letters and most of the application, but I have not paid or submitted my SOP.

 

But today I get an email from the actual department (not the graduate school) urging me to complete my application as soon as possible because I was being nominated for a fellowship! I didn't even think they LOOKED at unsubmitted applications, but the email said they were nominating based on GRE and GPA. 

 

So my question is, how big of a chance is there that I could still be denied admission from this point? If they're telling me I'm nominated, is that a good sign that I'll probably get in, or is it completely unrelated? I don't mind NOT eventually getting the fellowship because I know I'm just nominated and it's not for sure, but I hate to pay all that money if my chances of getting in aren't pretty secure.

 

Summed up question: Would you pay a hefty admission fee for a school you were considering dropping if they told you that you were being nominated for a fellowship?

 

EDIT: Oh, I wanted to add that they said my nomination was based on my writing sample as well. Just to let you know, I had made no contact with this school before and had no idea that they looked over your materials before you formally submitted!

Edited December 4, 2013 by wardword

[Igotnothin]

Weird! Haven't heard of this happening before. I'm surprised they would like at your application before submitting. I think if the department at that particular school has a reasonably good reputation, I would recommend applying. If it's sort of an unknown program, I would be skeptical of their unusual practices and probably avoid it. Anyway good luck and I hope it works out for you.