Ph.D in Stats: is this "brief chat" a lead-up to an offer? Or interview?

[jaymeowmeow]

Hi all,

I just got this email from a professor at UC Davis inviting me to chat on the phone. We've scheduled only a 15 minute window (which seems too short for an actual interview). Here is some of what the email says: 

"I'm writing today in regard to your application to our PhD program here in the Department of Statistics at UC Davis. We are impressed with your application and would love to have a brief chat on the phone. Basically, we want to see if you have any questions for us and just to let know that you are high up on our list of candidates. We also want to make sure you have a direct method to contact us if there is any question or concern you might have."

l know they have already made some offers, so is this their way of saying they like me, but they're unsure? I feel like a teenage girl again reading too much into a boy's text haha... I want to think that they are close to making me an offer, and simply wanted to reach out, but I don't want to be presumptuous. 

Thoughts or similar experiences? Thank you! 

Edited February 18, 2016 by jaymeowmeow

[johnnycomelately]

I had a similar "chat" prior to being accepted at a program. The conversation was mostly about what I liked about the program/advisor's research, and whether or not I would accept if offered a spot.  

[PhDinPublicHealthHopeful]

Ah, that seems really promising! I am in the same position - am visiting a University but haven't a clue if that means I'm accepted or not. I'm sorry I can't answer, but that sounds pretty great! Post your result!

[jdot104]

On 2/18/2016 at 3:29 PM, jaymeowmeow said:

Hi all,

I just got this email from a professor at UC Davis inviting me to chat on the phone. We've scheduled only a 15 minute window (which seems too short for an actual interview). Here is some of what the email says: 

"I'm writing today in regard to your application to our PhD program here in the Department of Statistics at UC Davis. We are impressed with your application and would love to have a brief chat on the phone. Basically, we want to see if you have any questions for us and just to let know that you are high up on our list of candidates. We also want to make sure you have a direct method to contact us if there is any question or concern you might have."

l know they have already made some offers, so is this their way of saying they like me, but they're unsure? I feel like a teenage girl again reading too much into a boy's text haha... I want to think that they are close to making me an offer, and simply wanted to reach out, but I don't want to be presumptuous. 

Thoughts or similar experiences? Thank you! 

I had a similar experience with a computer science professor at Vanderbilt shortly after I submitted my application, and I ended up getting a fully funded offer! We were scheduled to talk for about 20 minutes, but we ended up talking for nearly an hour. I was thinking based on the words she used in our conversation ("we can have a longer conversation about that later" was used frequently) that I had a pretty good shot, so I hope everything works out in your favor. Good luck!

[themmases]

I had a similar talk with a professor from UNC and it turned out to be that they really liked my application but weren't sure if they had a good mentor to pair me with or not. A method I used in my MS thesis is not as big a thing in their department, so I think they wanted to see how wedded I am to that and just get to know me better. Our talk was also about 15 minutes.

It was a nice experience, I had thought UNC might be a reach for me so the attention from someone I thought would be a good potential mentor was very cool. I'm waiting to hear the decision but I'll be happy either way.