Should I e-mail my POI NOW?

[cabraloca]

Basically, we were in contact before I submitted my application. Given that I attended this school as an undergrad for my study abroad program, I already know the professors in the Department I'm applying to. They said "they would be happy to have me and would put in a good word with the admissions committee (not that it was needed)".

I submitted my application on the Dec. 15th deadline and now I JUST CAN'T with the anxiety. I know that the results usually have come in February but that's because they used to have a Jan. 15th deadline which was changed THIS year. If they changed the deadline this year, it must be because they need to know their admits before their usual time, or am I just psyching myself out?

Should I email them again? I don't want to come off too impatient or like I don't understand the universities times and processes - I know that's probably a somewhat irrational fear because these processes do cause a lot of anxiety and it's hard to organize life without knowing where you will go for the next couple of years so it is founded that we should be given some timeframe for things but... GAH. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

[goldenstardust11]

I don't know about your field, but I personally wouldn't e-mail them just yet since they do typically give results out later (even though the deadline changed). I know the wait is the worst, but I'd give it some more time.  If you don't hear anything by mid-Feb, or you see lots of people here posting results and you still haven't heard anything, at that point, since you have a connection with the folks, I might e-mail them then.

[CoffeeFueledAnxiety]

I know how you feel and I also can't handle much more of this anxiety. If you just want to know if the process timeline really changed or not and don't want to seem impatient I guess you could also try calling the contact number of the ad-com and just try to casually ask about it. I guess asking about whether or not they have started sending out invites or when will they expect to have the interview weekend etc without mentioning your name would be just fine. At least there's more chance of anonymity than through email.

[feelthebern16]

Honestly, I wouldn't though I understand the temptation. Just be extra classy and wait it out. Good luck to you!

[Quickmick]

19 hours ago, cabraloca said:

If they changed the deadline this year, it must be because they need to know their admits before their usual time, or am I just psyching myself out?

 

I, too, am in limbo. Why do you say "it must...?" Could it be that they felt that in years past they didn't have enough time, so changed the due date to give themselves some? Its just that, while your explanation is plausible, it's not the only one. I am not (nor will I) contact anyone until late March--if I have heard nothing. These are very busy people and will get to me in time. While I have only had limited success with this technique, I have been trying to turn any anxiety into excitement, trying to remember that this is something I will only (hopefully) go through once and remember that putting myself in a position to even be considered represents an accomplishment.

Edited January 25, 2017 by Quickmick