Fall 2016 Waitlist Thread!

[psychgal2112]

I haven't seen a thread about this so I thought I'd start one! I haven't received an email or anything, but how do you know that you've been waitlisted for a school? Do they tell you or do you usually have to contact them to find out? 

[FacelessMage]

From what I've seen, sometimes they tell you, sometimes they don't. When I was waitlisted at the school I was ultimately accepted to, they told me that I was waitlisted, and that they would be contacting around the department to see if anyone would be willing to take additional students. 

[studentized]

It depends on the school, depth of their applicant pool, their resources, their competition. Ideally they'd tell you where you stand, but sometimes they have an incentive to hold back. 

If you get into another school but are really interested in the one where you are waiting, you should contact them to see if the new information moves you off the list.

[Centre2012]

I just got an email from the University of Florida stating that I was an alternate for their interview weekend on Feb 19th. I am cautiously excited!

[Timemachines]

13 minutes ago, Centre2012 said:

I just got an email from the University of Florida stating that I was an alternate for their interview weekend on Feb 19th. I am cautiously excited!

Same..feeling skeptical there as I'm not sure if that's just their nice way of giving you a pat on the back hah. 

[Austyn]

I got wait listed to UF as well. I don't think it was a pat on the back as I already got into Birmingham (england), vanderbilt has been in contact, and stanford has already declined. I think if you weren't wait listed you would have just gotten rejected.

[Timemachines]

1 hour ago, Austyn said:

I got wait listed to UF as well. I don't think it was a pat on the back as I already got into Birmingham (england), vanderbilt has been in contact, and stanford has already declined. I think if you weren't wait listed you would have just gotten rejected.

Yeah, I hope - they have a great program. I only have an interview at BU so far,  so having other opportunities would definitely put me more at ease with this process.

[psychgal2112]

12 hours ago, FacelessMage said:

From what I've seen, sometimes they tell you, sometimes they don't. When I was waitlisted at the school I was ultimately accepted to, they told me that I was waitlisted, and that they would be contacting around the department to see if anyone would be willing to take additional students. 

12 hours ago, studentized said:

It depends on the school, depth of their applicant pool, their resources, their competition. Ideally they'd tell you where you stand, but sometimes they have an incentive to hold back. 

If you get into another school but are really interested in the one where you are waiting, you should contact them to see if the new information moves you off the list.

I'm curious-- what would be the incentive to hold back? 

@Timemachines @Centre2012 @Austyn Still, waitlist is still better than a straight up rejection! Hope it works out for you guys

 

[Centre2012]

@psychgal2112 Thank you!

I know a lot of schools (like half the ones I applied to) have their interview on the same weekend. Since I've applied for the Neuropsychology track I'm hoping I'll move up on the wait list as people decide which in-person interview to attend. 

Edited January 22, 2016 by Centre2012