MPAallday Posted March 17, 2014 Posted March 17, 2014 I have a couple of waitlist questions. This is my first year applying to grad schools. A couple of days ago I received an application status of low alternative from one of my programs.The program director said there were 49 completed applications and only 9 spots open. Do I even have a chance? I would feel better about this if I was a high alternative. My other question is that I have not heard back from a program that had an application deadline of early December. When I check my status online it says: submitted. However, the school recently sent me an email about university housing saying: We look forward to assisting you in the transition to your new home here at X University. Does this mean anything? Could I be waitlisted? Other than these 2 schools, I am still waiting to hear back from one other which stated that a decision would be made mid to late March. I am basically driving myself crazy obsessing over all of the possibilities. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated! Have you considered calling these schools?
pyrocide Posted March 17, 2014 Posted March 17, 2014 First wait-list today. Don't know how to feel. :/
moemoechuchu Posted March 18, 2014 Posted March 18, 2014 Just got waitlisted from my TOP program today, and it discourages applicants from further requesting any interview opportunity or submitting materials ( they say they don't rank the waitlist and the spot may not open up until summer........ ) Being unable to do anything but waiting can't be any more stressful!!! To unfetter myself from this agony, I think I may just accept the only admittance I have got. It costs hugely though...
when Posted March 20, 2014 Posted March 20, 2014 Got accepted from the wait list for my top program today! I honestly NEVER thought it would happen. Honestly. Never. I'd already started making plans with my year off. So there IS hope. Good luck to all! Chychy, itbys, LMac and 5 others 8
bre333 Posted March 21, 2014 Posted March 21, 2014 Augh sent a follow up email to my POI, he says he's going to call me sometime early next week to check in. Fingers crossed it's good news (or at least not bad news).
worrypower Posted March 21, 2014 Posted March 21, 2014 Called Queen's today to inquire about my status and was told that the first round of MPA admissions and the rejections had been released... And that if I hadn't heard, I was still in consideration-- ie., the "unofficial waitlist." I'm excited to not have been rejected! But now I'm less than thrilled to be waiting, haha
disba Posted March 23, 2014 Posted March 23, 2014 I think the 'unofficial' wait list is my least favorite. I don't mind a timely email keeping me informed that I'm on a wait lost, but when the University doesn't even email you and you find out after emailing them that you're on a waitlist of sorts - and there's no information on when you may get a decision. This was an incoherent rant haha bre333 1
disba Posted March 23, 2014 Posted March 23, 2014 Erm - I meant waitlist - not wait lost. (Stupid phone)
bre333 Posted March 23, 2014 Posted March 23, 2014 oh my god this just occurred to me--what if my POI at the waitlist school asks me if I have other offers? I don't, but I'm worried that if he asks and I say that this is my only potential school, he'll think the only reason I'm interested is that it's my only option (which it's not, this school became my top choice after I interviewed there and assessed the fit and opportunities I'd have there). Will he ask me? How on earth do I reply to that?
Jack86 Posted March 23, 2014 Posted March 23, 2014 Just tell them it's still your top choice despite the fact it's your only potential acceptance? Doesn't seem like that big of an issue.
aphdapplicant Posted March 23, 2014 Posted March 23, 2014 oh my god this just occurred to me--what if my POI at the waitlist school asks me if I have other offers? I don't, but I'm worried that if he asks and I say that this is my only potential school, he'll think the only reason I'm interested is that it's my only option (which it's not, this school became my top choice after I interviewed there and assessed the fit and opportunities I'd have there). Will he ask me? How on earth do I reply to that? He probably won't ask. If he does, I'd be honest. He probably won't assume you're only interested because it's your only offer: 1) he probably assumes you're interested for the reasons specified in your SOP and because you see it the way he does ( i.e. that you and the program are a good fit) 2) you're applying to clinical psychology - the most competitive program out there - they wouldn't be surprised that they're your only offer. Many applicants are rejected across the board for clinical, as I am sure you know. bre333 1
bre333 Posted March 24, 2014 Posted March 24, 2014 Thanks guys. I know it won't be the end of the world if he or I say something a little awkward, I think I'm just so nervous because I have no idea what to expect.
aphdapplicant Posted March 24, 2014 Posted March 24, 2014 (edited) I'm in that really comfortable two month post-interview wait stage, where I am not sure if they are waiting till the end to reject me with the rest of the herd or if I am a backup plan. I'm not too hopeful (just realistic!). Still, I want to know: yes, no, or maybe. I'm calling tomorrow! Edited March 24, 2014 by aphdapplicant doefficient 1
bre333 Posted March 24, 2014 Posted March 24, 2014 aah so I guess we'll both have updates tomorrow! fingers crossed they're at least neutral
aphdapplicant Posted March 24, 2014 Posted March 24, 2014 aah so I guess we'll both have updates tomorrow! fingers crossed they're at least neutral Yes! Fingers crossed! I too am in the wonderful boat of applying to clinical programs btw!
bre333 Posted March 24, 2014 Posted March 24, 2014 annnd my news was just--on the waitlist, he wants to make an offer to me, but is waiting to hear back from the student he made an offer to, and that student has until april 15th. in retrospect, i kinda choked--I now see soo many opportunities to say things like "well even if it comes down to april 15th, I'm still interested" (especially because i heard today that i'm off the waitlist and rejected for my other school), but all i said at the time was like "mmhmm" and "yes" etc. I think it's just because I was surprised because I'd kind of rehearsed what to say it if was a rejection or a notification that I'm low on the waitlist, but I didn't really rehearse anything to say to that. Oh well, he also said to "keep in touch" (which makes me want to pull out my hair...guess i'll be sending another faux-casual email in a few weeks to see whether anything's changed"
rvict Posted March 24, 2014 Posted March 24, 2014 (edited) annnd my news was just--on the waitlist, he wants to make an offer to me, but is waiting to hear back from the student he made an offer to, and that student has until april 15th. in retrospect, i kinda choked--I now see soo many opportunities to say things like "well even if it comes down to april 15th, I'm still interested" (especially because i heard today that i'm off the waitlist and rejected for my other school), but all i said at the time was like "mmhmm" and "yes" etc. I think it's just because I was surprised because I'd kind of rehearsed what to say it if was a rejection or a notification that I'm low on the waitlist, but I didn't really rehearse anything to say to that. Oh well, he also said to "keep in touch" (which makes me want to pull out my hair...guess i'll be sending another faux-casual email in a few weeks to see whether anything's changed" Send the email now and say that it was great to talk to him and you are pleased that he wants to make you an offer, blah blah blah, and that you wish to reiterate your interest in the program. Emphasize whatever it is that you think you didn't convey in the phone (?) call. Do not wait a few weeks to contact him again, even if he has a firm deadline he's working with. You want to be in his mind when he's deciding what to do when that other student declines the offer. Edit: Also, "faux-casual"? Not the time or place for games. You can't worry about appearing too desperate, even if it's your only school. Obviously don't tell him that he's your only hope for glad school, but in trying to appear too aloof, you risk appearing uninterested. He might have more than 1 student who he's wanting to make an offer to. He's looking for someone who wants to work with him, and you run the risk of appearing uninterested if you are acting like you don't care one way or the other. Yes, his hands might be tied by bureaucracy and finances, but *in my opinion* you're better off appearing a little overeager/hungry/desperate than the opposite. Edited March 24, 2014 by rvict
aphdapplicant Posted March 24, 2014 Posted March 24, 2014 annnd my news was just--on the waitlist, he wants to make an offer to me, but is waiting to hear back from the student he made an offer to, and that student has until april 15th. in retrospect, i kinda choked--I now see soo many opportunities to say things like "well even if it comes down to april 15th, I'm still interested" (especially because i heard today that i'm off the waitlist and rejected for my other school), but all i said at the time was like "mmhmm" and "yes" etc. I think it's just because I was surprised because I'd kind of rehearsed what to say it if was a rejection or a notification that I'm low on the waitlist, but I didn't really rehearse anything to say to that. Oh well, he also said to "keep in touch" (which makes me want to pull out my hair...guess i'll be sending another faux-casual email in a few weeks to see whether anything's changed" Hey that's great news! Hopefully, you'll get it! I hear you on the "I should've said this or that" - I think about that with my interviews - it's just so hard to say the right things (or what you think would be ideal) in those situations, sometimes (for me). I'm with you on the faux-casual email... My news is...nothing! Silence. I emailed - didn't call.
ndie_sosu Posted March 24, 2014 Posted March 24, 2014 So I tried the whole: I got into another school, very polite strong arming tactic. Didn't get me anywhere except that apparently the waitlist I'm on is short and unordered. Its my top choice and probably the best school I applied to in my area but I'm not sure how I feel about being someones second choice. Is that just arrogance on my part? Is there anyone around here lurking who attended a school they got into off the waitlist? Did it feel like anyone treated you differently when you got there? I mean its not like undergrad with thousands of people, these are small and personal >.>
aphdapplicant Posted March 25, 2014 Posted March 25, 2014 So I tried the whole: I got into another school, very polite strong arming tactic. Didn't get me anywhere except that apparently the waitlist I'm on is short and unordered. Its my top choice and probably the best school I applied to in my area but I'm not sure how I feel about being someones second choice. Is that just arrogance on my part? Is there anyone around here lurking who attended a school they got into off the waitlist? Did it feel like anyone treated you differently when you got there? I mean its not like undergrad with thousands of people, these are small and personal >.> I know SO many people who got in off waitlists - I'd be THRILLED/ ELATED to be told I'm on a waitlist right now...I would enthusiastically accept an offer if I were second choice (or any choice!)! I think it works out just fine - a lot of first choice candidates have multiple offers and POIs understand that they may not necessarily get their first choice student and it works nicely anyway.
katiegud Posted March 25, 2014 Posted March 25, 2014 I guess I get to join you all now! I have been accepted to 4 programs, but turned down for funding at 3 of them. Found out this morning that I'm on the waitlist for funding at the 4th. I REALLY want to go there, so someone needs to decline their offer! It's also in the UK, and I'm in Nebraska, so the longer I wait the higher the plane tickets get.
rvict Posted March 25, 2014 Posted March 25, 2014 (edited) So I tried the whole: I got into another school, very polite strong arming tactic. Didn't get me anywhere except that apparently the waitlist I'm on is short and unordered. Its my top choice and probably the best school I applied to in my area but I'm not sure how I feel about being someones second choice. Is that just arrogance on my part? Is there anyone around here lurking who attended a school they got into off the waitlist? Did it feel like anyone treated you differently when you got there? I mean its not like undergrad with thousands of people, these are small and personal >.> The waitlist is essentially a physical reality--there are X number of people the university made an offer to in the first round. They do not expect all X to accept, and have a target of "accepts" in mind (probably between 30-60%) that is based on things like supervisor availability and money. If the % of X accepting doesn't meet the target, they turn to the waitlist. There's nothing much you can do to influence how many of the first round offers accept or how fast that happens. The fact the waitlist is unordered means that, once the university starts doing call ups from the waitlist, there is no set criteria for who they call first. This is good new for you, because it means you're not ranked by something fixed like GRE or GPA. This is where having a competing offer could start to come into play. I haven't started grad school yet, but I highly doubt anybody would ever know you were on the waitlist (as if that is some stigma in the first place). The professors perhaps, at least the ones on the admissions panel, but why would they care if you are able to demonstrate competency? That goes for anybody, whether they were the top of the first round of offers or last to come off the waitlist. Admissions decisions often happen before you've even set foot on campus. Edited March 25, 2014 by rvict
jean21 Posted March 25, 2014 Posted March 25, 2014 It has been over a month since I received the notification that I am on the waitlist for my top program. Should I reiterate my interest in this program to the Admissions Coordinator? And if so, what should I say? The email mentioned that I may not know the final decision until mid-April.
rvict Posted March 25, 2014 Posted March 25, 2014 (edited) It has been over a month since I received the notification that I am on the waitlist for my top program. Should I reiterate my interest in this program to the Admissions Coordinator? And if so, what should I say? The email mentioned that I may not know the final decision until mid-April. Is the admissions coordinator a professor? I'd try asking a prof you were in contact with, since they may know more and will have a better understanding of your personal situation re: the waiting. I believe American universities have April 15 as the deadline for first round decisions. However, some offers may have been declined in the interim, so you should contact somebody to ensure you're fresh in mind. The office staff who are probably sending most of the emails (even when signed under a prof's name) really do not have any impact on the admissions process. Of course, you may find some who are very helpful, so ymmv! Edited March 25, 2014 by rvict
jean21 Posted March 25, 2014 Posted March 25, 2014 Thanks rvict! That's good advice. I think I will email the one prof I interviewed with and try to get the lowdown
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