Is it common to be accepted by phone?

[dudgeonmaster]

I noticed on the results board that someone had been notified by phone that they had been admitted to a program I applied to. I haven't heard anything from them, and I was wondering if this most likely means I have been rejected. Are phone admissions only made on a case-by-case basis by professors who choose to call grad students who will be working with them next year, or is it standard practice for some departments to notify all accepted students (meaning I have been rejected)?

[daseinplushie]

It's not uncommon to be notified by phone. A lot of programs will notify you via either phone or email, then follow up later with a letter.

However, if you weren't called, that doesn't mean that you were rejected. A lot of schools admit students in waves, since not everyone they give an offer to will accept. So, even if you weren't in the first wave of applicants, there's still a chance you might ultimately get accepted.

[dudgeonmaster]

thanks so much for replying. i was sitting here slightly freaking out because i was certain hopes for my dream school had just bitten the dust. finger crossed!

[daseinplushie]

I can relate. I had something similar happen with one of my first choice programs last week. They do it this way to torture us

[dudgeonmaster]

How did it go?

[daseinplushie]

Well, it's only been a week since they sent out their first wave so it's too soon to tell. I've been accepted to a couple of programs, though, so I know I'll be going somewhere. I'm still waiting on a bunch, though, since a lot of the programs I applied to have February deadlines...