First graduate admissions committee meeting

[Geo1618]

When graduate admissions committees in the US or Canada hold their first meeting, do they usually already have a shortlist of students?

 

Do they already make offers after the meeting?

 

Thanks!

 

[agrizz]

I think it depends on the school, program, and/or who is on the committee.  I can say that prior to applying, I contacted several PIs and asked whether or not they were accepting students.  Of those that were and encouraged I apply, most asked me to let them know once I'd submitted my application so that they could put it in the hands of the adcom.  

 

That said, there are several steps to the review process and they differ from program to program.  Some adcoms don't even consider faculty suggestions, but rather vet the applicants on their admissions materials alone.  

 

All together though, I think it'd be odd for a program to make offers after the first meeting, but I betcha it's been done before.  

Edited January 29, 2015 by agrizz