New Phone Number during Application Process

[ellieotter]

Hey guys, not sure what forum I should've posted in so I created a this.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, I needed to get a new phone plan and it was way too difficult to keep my original phone number.

So as of right now, I haven't cancelled my original number but would like to ASAP. Only problem is, many grad schools I applied to do not give me the option to change the phone number on my apps. Advice on what I should do? Keep my old number until after I find out about all my schools/interviews? I wouldn't want to cancel it and not get an interview because that's their form of contact.

Any advice is appreciated!

[TakeruK]

Can you write to all of the schools and let them know about the change in phone number? Others in your field might answer better, but I don't think they would give up simply because they can't call you. They have other ways of reaching you right? (email etc.)

[ellieotter]

34 minutes ago, TakeruK said:

Can you write to all of the schools and let them know about the change in phone number? Others in your field might answer better, but I don't think they would give up simply because they can't call you. They have other ways of reaching you right? (email etc.)

Most schools I applied to reach out by email (I think) so I might be in the clear. Three schools let me change the number on my applicant profile so I may just email the remaining. I also checked the admission results page for how each of my schools contact students and all but one seem to email for interview invites. If I get any more interviews, I figured I could mention it when I accept the interview or when I get to campus. Does that sound okay?

[TakeruK]

15 hours ago, psychlife4me said:

Most schools I applied to reach out by email (I think) so I might be in the clear. Three schools let me change the number on my applicant profile so I may just email the remaining. I also checked the admission results page for how each of my schools contact students and all but one seem to email for interview invites. If I get any more interviews, I figured I could mention it when I accept the interview or when I get to campus. Does that sound okay?

I think you're all fine then. In the last part, do you mean "get to campus" as in a pre-acceptance visit, or do you mean arriving to start your program? If you mean a time during the application process, then sure, maybe during your interview visit or at the end of an interview itself, you can let whomever conducted the interview know about your new contact information, in case they want to follow up by phone (but if you miss the opportunity, it's no big deal since they have other ways of contacting you!).

If you mean arriving on campus to start your program next fall, I think don't think you have to mention the phone number change because most of the information from your applications will not carry over into your student record. Especially for things like phone numbers, you'll be asked them again when you register in whatever school you choose.