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Waitlisted...Need different options?
- Thread starter PsychedTriGirl
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Can your response to this job offer wait? There's a good chance you'll get in somewhere, you'll just have to wait. A program will mist likely get back to you before April 15th, so you would only have to wait a couple weeks.
If you have to reply to this job soon, I say take it and then bail if you get into a program. It might be more honest to explain to them your situation.
If you have to reply to this job soon, I say take it and then bail if you get into a program. It might be more honest to explain to them your situation.
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Althought it's not nice, I generally agree with this, especially if the position isn't connected in any way to the psych field. However, if it is connected like working as an RA or in a lab you may want to watch out about burning bridges. In the long run you have to do what's right for you, which could mean taking the job to pay the bills and then leaving after a few months for grad school.
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Two of the students in my cohort were accepted off the waitlist in late March/early April so there's definitely a lot of time for things to happen as people are getting other offers and can more clearly know all of their choices. So don't give up hope 👍
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I agree, I have a couple friends who are deciding on schools right now, and once they do, multiple spots will open up in some very strong programs. People are still making decisions everywhere, don't worry yet!
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Also, usually when one person gets off the waitlist there's a domino effect.
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Hey there, can you explain what you mean by this? I'm not doubting it at all, I'm just a bit dense and want to understand🙂 Thanks!
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I'm really not enjoying this waitlist limbo. I am fortunate that I have been offered a spot in my third choice PhD program... not complaining about that at all. But I am a "very high" alternate at my first choice school. Hence, the waiting...
I think this might be the domino effect that cara is referring to. Take my situation for example, I have an offer to a school that I am holding on to while waiting for my first choice school to maybe offer me a spot off of their waitlist. When/if they do that, I will relinquish my current offer and that in turn opens a spot for someone else and that continues on down the line.
The process is no fun, for sure. April 15th can't come soon enough.
I think this might be the domino effect that cara is referring to. Take my situation for example, I have an offer to a school that I am holding on to while waiting for my first choice school to maybe offer me a spot off of their waitlist. When/if they do that, I will relinquish my current offer and that in turn opens a spot for someone else and that continues on down the line.
The process is no fun, for sure. April 15th can't come soon enough.
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What thelittleowl said. If one person gets off the waitlist at their top choice, they take that spot and decline other offers, then another person gets off the waitlist at the school the first person passed up on and declines their offers, then the second person's spot goes to a waitlisted person, etc etc.
You should do a search, the past years have all had a waiting list thread. Mine was two years ago. I wouldn't freak out until April 15. I did start looking for jobs, but I ended up having to withdraw because I got admitted.
You should do a search, the past years have all had a waiting list thread. Mine was two years ago. I wouldn't freak out until April 15. I did start looking for jobs, but I ended up having to withdraw because I got admitted.
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Of course, this domino effect assumes that all other people have multiple offers and that they are not individuals simply waiting on someone else to turn down an offer so they can get in off a waitlist because that is their only possible option (and there are many of them out there!).
To the OP, I wouldn't give up hope yet. It's still early March. I was accepted off a waitlist mid- to late-mid/Marchish (? It's been more than a few years.) There are usually a few people each year accepted from the waitlist at my program. A few years ago, I know someone who was accepted from the waitlist the very last possible day. I know it can be hard, but I wouldn't give up hope just yet. Certainly think about your other options. I had mine mostly planned out and almost in processing before I received my acceptance. Consider the advice already given here re: the current job opportunity. You don't want to burn any bridges if it's a potential academic gig. Regardless, check to see how flexible they may be with you regarding your decision time, or what they may say if you explain your situation (I actually did that with a position once); you may be pleasantly surprised.
G'luck!
To the OP, I wouldn't give up hope yet. It's still early March. I was accepted off a waitlist mid- to late-mid/Marchish (? It's been more than a few years.) There are usually a few people each year accepted from the waitlist at my program. A few years ago, I know someone who was accepted from the waitlist the very last possible day. I know it can be hard, but I wouldn't give up hope just yet. Certainly think about your other options. I had mine mostly planned out and almost in processing before I received my acceptance. Consider the advice already given here re: the current job opportunity. You don't want to burn any bridges if it's a potential academic gig. Regardless, check to see how flexible they may be with you regarding your decision time, or what they may say if you explain your situation (I actually did that with a position once); you may be pleasantly surprised.
G'luck!
