PhD/PsyD waitlist etiquette

[joygirl22]

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I was emailed by my POI at one of my top schools this weekend asking if I applied for a fellowship from the graduate school and about the status of my admissions decisions. I replied stating that I am still very interested in the program and had applied to the fellowship. I indicated that I never received an offer from the department, but would accept provided funding and asked for an update on my status. Her response was that I was not among the ones to receive an initial offer but se would love to work with me and would keep me updated.

At this point, how should I respond to this email? I don't want to overkill my interest in the program as I have already stated that I would accept the offer if provided the chance. But I would also like to keep communication open.

Also, would it be appropriate to start new/updated correspondences about research? She spoke to me about future directions for her research that are along the lines of my interests and provided me with several articles after interview day. Just not sure if I should simply sit back and wait or if I should continue to be in her face.

 

[FLpsychstudent]

I would probably just respond back basically saying, that sounds great, I would definitely love to work with you as well and will be awaiting an update from you/the program regarding my admissions status. I wouldn't really start talking about research but that's just me

 

[bostongal109]

Yea- I would just relax and wait. Let them take the lead here. I would be nervous if I were obnoxious or too persistent I would get bumped down on the list. You know you are on the list right now, so minimize the opportunity to change that 🙂

 

[joygirl22]

So, now a few weeks later my poi emailed me again and asked if I was still interested or if I am considering other offers and said that she believes there is a slot for me... While positive, this in my mind is not definitive and not even really an informal offer. It's like a scope out before the offer. Like "if I ask you out will you say yes." I would like to believe that this will really work out considering she has initiated contact again... But I'm kind of unsure how to proceed.

Would a simple "I have not accepted any offers yet and am still interested in your lab. I would be delighted to receive an offer!" suffice? Should I say something more definitive as in the program is my #1 choice and I'm waiting for them before I make a move anywhere else? <- I feel I have somewhat stated that by saying previously that I would definitely accept. I get that schools don't want to waste time and effort if the person will just turn them down and no one wants to extend 20+ offers for a class of 7, but I'm just a bit confused and not exactly sure what she is looking for me to say before even extending an informal offer.

 

[MCParent]

From the other side of admissions: A lot of things could be happening on the POI's end. The number of funded slots might not be 100% clear from upper admin, another student might be holding onto an offer forever, etc. I don't think the POI is looking for you to say some magic combination of words that will suddenly get you an offer, but is just making sure to continue to convey strong interest in you coming to the lab and also telling you that it's not 100% certain they have an offer to give you. I'd just say what you wrote there in quotes.

 

[joygirl22]

From the other side of admissions: A lot of things could be happening on the POI's end. The number of funded slots might not be 100% clear from upper admin, another student might be holding onto an offer forever, etc. I don't think the POI is looking for you to say some magic combination of words that will suddenly get you an offer, but is just making sure to continue to convey strong interest in you coming to the lab and also telling you that it's not 100% certain they have an offer to give you. I'd just say what you wrote there in quotes.

Thanks for your insight! I can imagine this process is stressful and the wait can be agonizing no matter which end of it you're on.

 

[bcliff]

I have an offer from a great program, but I'm still (competitively) on the waitlist at my top choice school. If I don't get into my my top choice off the waitlist, then I'm definitely going to accept the offer from school #2. I haven't communicated with school #2 since the offer was first extended in mid February, and I know that I have until 4/15 to accept the offer, but should I check in with them to let them know that I'm still interested but am still waiting to hear back from some schools to compare offers?

 

[thewesternsky]

I have an offer from a great program, but I'm still (competitively) on the waitlist at my top choice school. If I don't get into my my top choice off the waitlist, then I'm definitely going to accept the offer from school #2. I haven't communicated with school #2 since the offer was first extended in mid February, and I know that I have until 4/15 to accept the offer, but should I check in with them to let them know that I'm still interested but am still waiting to hear back from some schools to compare offers?

When they extended the offer, did you acknowledge it and express some excitement or interest in the program? My sense is that if you haven't accepted or declined the offer, they know you're interested but still waiting/deciding. Unless they contact you, I'd keep quiet until you've made a decision.

 

[elpenguinoloco]

I also have an offer at one school and am somewhere on the waitlist at my top choice. The problem is that I don't know where I stand on the waitlist, and also that I have been getting some pressure from the PI at the school where I have an offer. I reached out to my top choice to ask about a decision as I had not heard anything 3 weeks post-interview and was told very vaguely that there was an offer out and pending that person's decision they may be able to extend additional offers. Is it appropriate to reach out again to get some sense of where I am on the list at this school? If it's okay to contact them, should I be as direct as to say that I have an offer at another school, but would prefer their program? In my communication with the DCT, I was told to let them know if I needed to make a decision more quickly.

I don't want to string along the PI at the school where I have an offer, but don't want to commit if there's a chance I could end up at my top choice.

 

[thewesternsky]

>The problem is that I don't know where I stand on the waitlist, and also that I have been getting some pressure from the PI at the school where I have an offer.

You have until April 15 to make a decision. Period. Ignore the pressure.