Contacted by profs but nothing else after....What's next?

[runnernado77]

So I'm hoping I'm not the only one in this situation, but I've been contacted by profs at a few schools who said they really like my application, and would be interested in working with me. We corresponded and there were mentions of the potential for the "next step" in there. And then nothing. Does it take awhile for them to submit paperwork or whatever it is to the graduate school and then for the graduate school to make the official offer? I don't want to bother the profs too much, but when there are offers on the table and the other schools are like well maybe... it makes things a little challenging. I also don't want to get my hopes up, and this waiting process is wearing me out. 

[Euler]

The process on the school's end is intensive, which is likely why you haven't heard anything back. While it may seem easy for them to just accept you and give you an offer when you've gotten favorable feedback from the professor, keep in mind they're juggling dozens of other applicants as well. Not to mention funding, which can slow things down to a large degree.

The waiting process sucks big time. We're all trying to get through it in one piece (or perhaps as few pieces as possible). Hope you hear back soon!

[runnernado77]

Thank you so much! I figured it is probably a brutal process on the school's end. That certainly helps to know when my mind goes to the worst case scenario thinking...What if they changed their mind??? 

[Nirvik]

@runnernado77 I am having the same dilemma as yours. Apparently the professor said that she will be getting back to me as soon as she can. Since then no correspondence. Hoping dearly that she didn't change her mind.

[runnernado77]

It is absolutely the worst! The schools are taking their time dangling our futures in their hands. 

[magnetite]

I had a phone interview with a professor two weeks ago, but the next steps weren't discussed. I sent him an email the next day with a question I forgot to ask but I haven't gotten a response.

The call was mainly to talk about my experience and research interests, so I'm not sure if it was an interview per se. Since I haven't heard back yet, I'm assuming the professor passed on me.

[Nirvik]

@magnetite It happened to me as well. The professor contacted me via email and asked me about my research interests. Once we finished discussing about my research interests, she said that once she finishes her evaluation, she will contact me asap. I sent a follow up question regarding her lab, but she has not sent any kind of response since.

[magicsana]

13 hours ago, Euler said:

The process on the school's end is intensive, which is likely why you haven't heard anything back. While it may seem easy for them to just accept you and give you an offer when you've gotten favorable feedback from the professor, keep in mind they're juggling dozens of other applicants as well. Not to mention funding, which can slow things down to a large degree.

The waiting process sucks big time. We're all trying to get through it in one piece (or perhaps as few pieces as possible). Hope you hear back soon!

Reading this calmed me down. Thank you.

[Euler]

2 minutes ago, magicsana said:

Reading this calmed me down. Thank you.

Glad I could help a bit! I've been trying to remind myself of that fact, but this waiting is getting hard, especially with no specific end date.

[fuzzylogician]

What kind of timeline are we talking about here? They emailed, then a month of silence? Or they emailed 3 days ago and you're anxious? This process takes time and also differs by school and field, so it's a bit hard to give you more insight. It could be that they need to get the approval of the admissions committee before moving forward or that it's just taking time because admissions isn't the only thing on their to-do list and something else took priority, or any number of other things. 

[Nirvik]

1 hour ago, Euler said:

Glad I could help a bit! I've been trying to remind myself of that fact, but this waiting is getting hard, especially with no specific end date.

Doing the same at the moment. I am following the survey results and predicting the result declaration dates. For Oregon state, I found that PhD and Masters acceptance are usually declared starting March and continues till the end of the March.

1 hour ago, fuzzylogician said:

What kind of timeline are we talking about here? They emailed, then a month of silence? Or they emailed 3 days ago and you're anxious? This process takes time and also differs by school and field, so it's a bit hard to give you more insight. It could be that they need to get the approval of the admissions committee before moving forward or that it's just taking time because admissions isn't the only thing on their to-do list and something else took priority, or any number of other things. 

I was contacted by the professor on Feb 16, 2016 and we corresponded till Feb 20, 2016. I sent a follow up email by Feb 22, 2016 requesting some more information on her lab, but I have not received any email so far. She did say that she feels that I am interested in her research group and would contact me as soon as she can. Haven't heard anything from her since.

[runnernado77]

10 hours ago, Nirvik said:

@magnetite It happened to me as well. The professor contacted me via email and asked me about my research interests. Once we finished discussing about my research interests, she said that once she finishes her evaluation, she will contact me asap. I sent a follow up question regarding her lab, but she has not sent any kind of response since.

I had similar issues during the initial contact process. I wouldn't think it is out of the question to follow up or even say something along the lines of, "I've been having trouble with my email lately so I wanted to follow up." I did that with a professor who had asked me for my transcripts etc. and asked to schedule a phone conversation. When I sent him everything I had no reply for 2 weeks so I followed up and he was happy about it. It's hard to remember how busy they are when we are 1000% focused on them personally right now, and they are focused on a million things beyond admissions. 

[Nirvik]

1 hour ago, runnernado77 said:

I had similar issues during the initial contact process. I wouldn't think it is out of the question to follow up or even say something along the lines of, "I've been having trouble with my email lately so I wanted to follow up." I did that with a professor who had asked me for my transcripts etc. and asked to schedule a phone conversation. When I sent him everything I had no reply for 2 weeks so I followed up and he was happy about it. It's hard to remember how busy they are when we are 1000% focused on them personally right now, and they are focused on a million things beyond admissions. 

I agree with you on this. I have come to the same conclusion that it is possible for the professor to get involved with the admissions process, as well as hundreds of other things.

I guess it would be right to assume that no response does not mean our applications have been rejected. We just got to have some faith and go on with the waiting process. It would probably fair well if we do a follow up email to the professors, I guess.

[magnetite]

So in my case, since it's been over two weeks now since the interview and my follow up email, would it be out of the question for me to send another email?

If I do, I'll have to make sure it doesn't scream of desperation, as I'm not too confident of my prospects elsewhere.

[runnernado77]

3 hours ago, magnetite said:

So in my case, since it's been over two weeks now since the interview and my follow up email, would it be out of the question for me to send another email?

If I do, I'll have to make sure it doesn't scream of desperation, as I'm not too confident of my prospects elsewhere.

I would think two weeks is probably fine. That's how long I waited. I guess as long as you aren't asking if you got in or not, but are just following up on the initial question you asked. It would at least show you care and you are dedicated. I don't think you could really be penalized for that. 

[Nirvik]

6 hours ago, magnetite said:

So in my case, since it's been over two weeks now since the interview and my follow up email, would it be out of the question for me to send another email?

If I do, I'll have to make sure it doesn't scream of desperation, as I'm not too confident of my prospects elsewhere.

I am trying to do the same. Not try to sound desperate by asking questions on admissions, instead doing a follow up on genuine interests about the project, lab and students.

[homonculus]

16 hours ago, runnernado77 said:

I would think two weeks is probably fine. That's how long I waited. I guess as long as you aren't asking if you got in or not, but are just following up on the initial question you asked. It would at least show you care and you are dedicated. I don't think you could really be penalized for that. 

So would you phrase it that you are just wondering if you can get a timeline for when you might hear back? I'm in the same (2+ week wait) position and it's been killing me. I know I was one of the top two or three applicants, so I'm getting really worried. 

[Nirvik]

1 hour ago, homonculus said:

So would you phrase it that you are just wondering if you can get a timeline for when you might hear back? I'm in the same (2+ week wait) position and it's been killing me. I know I was one of the top two or three applicants, so I'm getting really worried. 

You could ask the graduate admission coordinator regarding the status of your application, which he/she usually responds with the current status and the date by which you should be getting the admission decision.