i'm just sitting here waiting for a decision that will decide the rest of future.... no big deal

[George J]

Hey guys, so i recently had a interview at a program that i loved and i believe that my interview went pretty well however i was extremely self conscious because all of the other applicants had much more research experience than i did. I am so nervous and waiting for the final decision emails to go out, i can't think about anything else but that. I just keep wondering if i'm going to be accepted, rejected or waitlisted.... i know its silly to worry about something that i have no control over but i can help it. There so much pressure, if i don't get in then my entire future is pretty much shoot and life will be pointless. If anyone has any tips on how to get through the waiting process please share them with me, i think im starting to go crazy over here. 

Desperately yours, 

-G

[GunningForGrad]

I think you've stumbled onto why we're all on this forum. We're desperately trying not to go crazy during the wait!

So back when I was young and naive, I applied for grad school straight out of undergrad. I didn't realize initially that it would be a lost cause because my program looks for real world experience and I just wouldn't fit that bill. Much like you, I thought my life would be shot if I didn't get in somewhere. 

But that's not the case! Start thinking about the worst case scenario where you don't get in somewhere. Think about what you can do instead to gain more experience and live your life before diving back in and trying again. The last several years have been richly rewarding for me in my pursuit of my profession. It's crazy to think how I once thought a rejection from grad school would ruin my life. 

Everything happens for a reason! I hope you get in, but if you don't it means you're meant to do something else for a little while before applying again and getting that coveted acceptance!

[GeorgeC07]

Gee I didn't hear from the programs for a month before I received my first admission without an interview. Yeah just like that, no word on funding. And since then I have waited another month while seeing more results from other applicants show up in the results search section. I haven't got any interview invitations or emails from the programs, and the application portals are just quiet as outer space. I keep telling me that more results will come in the following two weeks and here I am checking the emails and portals as usual. Even my parents know what offers are and they don't even speak English. 

[GunningForGrad]

1 hour ago, GeorgeC07 said:

Gee I didn't hear from the programs for a month before I received my first admission without an interview. Yeah just like that, no word on funding. And since then I have waited another month while seeing more results from other applicants show up in the results search section. I haven't got any interview invitations or emails from the programs, and the application portals are just quiet as outer space. I keep telling me that more results will come in the following two weeks and here I am checking the emails and portals as usual. Even my parents know what offers are and they don't even speak English. 

I don't even know how I would respond to an admissions decision without an interview. Granted, my area of focus is super interview heavy. It's sort of a three stage process. Submit application, if your application is deemed worthy then you pass onto the second stage: the first interview. Then depending on how the first interview goes we may make it to the final callback interview where we have to prove our directing skills and really have our experience dissected and get to meet current students. And only then do we get to anxiously wait around for an admissions offer. It's a lot more ups and downs  along the way but at least I'm clued in to know if I'm at least considered a candidate.

[GeorgeC07]

4 hours ago, GunningForGrad said:

I don't even know how I would respond to an admissions decision without an interview. Granted, my area of focus is super interview heavy. It's sort of a three stage process. Submit application, if your application is deemed worthy then you pass onto the second stage: the first interview. Then depending on how the first interview goes we may make it to the final callback interview where we have to prove our directing skills and really have our experience dissected and get to meet current students. And only then do we get to anxiously wait around for an admissions offer. It's a lot more ups and downs  along the way but at least I'm clued in to know if I'm at least considered a candidate.

Interviews should be program specific, and I'm sure the programs I apply to have different processes. Now I'm more like 'oh no please give me an interview'. And my family are starting to ask me whether there's any news in the morning when I'm still in bed.