Invited but not accepted, good or bad?

[jjm10j]

Hello everyone, I am going for a PhD in materials science I have been invited to both UT: Austin and Penn State over the phone to meet the professors and students and tour the department there. Both schools told me that I am not accepted to their programs yet and that I may be if I can be matched with a professor during the visitation weekend. Is this a sign that I am a student on the edge of acceptance or is this a common thing for many schools. A few of my friends have been accepted straight out to other schools so I am just curious. 

 

I am still super excited!!

 

Thanks!

[iphi]

I do not know about your discipline in particular, but it is common for many programs to interview candidates before acceptance. It means you made the "short list" if you will, and your odds probably increased from about 10% to 50%+.  It sounds as though they are just trying to make sure your research interests really fit your POIs before they accept you, so I would focus on being able to convey that.

[Chubberubber]

Don't use your friends as an example because different schools, and even different programs/ departments within the same school work in different ways.

It seems to me like the programs you mentioned invited you for an interview weekend in which matches between prospective students and professors are to be made. They probably tell all their invited students the same thing, so I don't think that puts you in any hightened risk. 

Did you indicate any POI in your application? Did you contact that professor ahead of time to ask if she/ he are taking students?

[jjm10j]

I did indicate professors that I wanted to work with, but I did not contact these professors. They did talk about matching students with professors there so hopefully I will get a match. Thank you for the advice!