timeline?

[Barca16]

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what is the standard timeline for the second half of the application process? we hear about interviews in jan, to interview in february/march right? when do we hear back about acceptances? when do we have to make our final decision about what school we want to attend by?

~just trying to plan my life!
thank you!

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

I believe (and someone correct me if i'm wrong), programs need to notify you by April 1st, and your decision is due no later than April 15th.

-t

 

[joetro]

You will hear about interviews probably mid-January to mid-Feb. Interviews will be early Feb-middle of March. You have to confirm by April 15.

After interviews, it's anyone's guess what happens. You may hear very soon if you've been accepted, or not at all. You may get some sort of last minute notification.

 

[psychanon]

I believe (and someone correct me if i'm wrong), programs need to notify you by April 1st, and your decision is due no later than April 15th.

-t

The second part of this (4/15 notification) is right, the first part about 4/1 is not. Programs are not obligated to inform you until 4/15, the same time you inform them of your decision. Remember, a given lab will often only accept one person per year. They may give an offer to one person right after interview, and other waitlististed applicants will have to wait on the wait list until that person decides whether or not to accept (which can be up to 4/15). I can tell you from experience that this is hell. That's why it's courteous to make decisions as soon as you realistically can, and to never hold more than one (or two, at most) offers at a time (if you're in the envious position of having multiple offers).

In a nutshell, you're probably in for four months of compulsive email checking and uncertainty, but come April 15th you'll know your fate.

Sometimes I wonder if grad school admissions would be better off with a match process, like for internship. I know it would difficult logistically, but it seems like ultimately the applicants' preferences would be better served.

 

[clinpsychgirl]

I believe they have to inform you by April 1 (may be much earlier) if you are the first choice, and then you have to respond by the 15th. However, if you are waitlisted, I've heard of cases of people hearing back as late as August.

 

[Phant]

For people who've done this before,

how soon after the submission of the application/deadline would one hear from the school regarding an interview/rejection?

Thanks.

 

[clinpsychgirl]

It depends on the school, but for schools that I interviewed with, I heard as early as mid january for phone calls/invitation interviews during the last application cycle. Most came in later January early February. Rejections may come via mail usually by the time you've already figured out what your doing (e.g. August).

 

[Phant]

Thanks!

Submitted the first application so time to wait...

 

[joetro]

My timeline was similar to clinpsychgirls. In terms of rejections, though, if you haven't heard about interviews soon after everyone else does, you can kind of figure it out. That why it's exciting/scary/crazy to read on this board when people start posting about interviews.

 

[Barca16]

thanks for everyones help!