Waitlists and Applicant Data

[hamsterpants]

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I am currently on two waitlists for Clinical PhD programs and I do not expect any more offers of admission. I am curious about my chances and have been reviewing the applicant disclosure data from the two schools.

If say, 15 students is the number accepted for admissions but 9 is the incoming class size for a certain year, does that mean 15 students were made initial offers and 6 turned them down? or did they make 9 initial offers, were turned down by some and got the remainder via the waitlist (keeping in mind some on the waitlist may have turned them down)?

Does anyone know?

..

 

[psychgirl77]

Different schools do it different ways and they may even vary it year to year. For example, my university typically makes a smaller number of offers at first and then pulls from the waitlist, but this year they accepted quite a large number and are waiting to see how many of those accept their offers. So they might not make any offers to people on the waitlist depending on how many accept.

 

[hamsterpants]

Different schools do it different ways and they may even vary it year to year. For example, my university typically makes a smaller number of offers at first and then pulls from the waitlist, but this year they accepted quite a large number and are waiting to see how many of those accept their offers. So they might not make any offers to people on the waitlist depending on how many accept.

Yeah, it makes sense it would vary by school (and probably by year). Thanks.

 

[Jezebel09]

I am currently on two waitlists for Clinical PhD programs and I do not expect any more offers of admission. I am curious about my chances and have been reviewing the applicant disclosure data from the two schools.

Have you asked them where you are on the waitlist?

 

[hamsterpants]

Have you asked them where you are on the waitlist?

One said I was a "high alternate" but they do not rank numerically.
The other didn't tell me, maybe I could send a follow-up email.
Subjectively, it felt like I was high on the list but I know better than to go solely by that. Thanks.

 

[prettikittibaby]

I know that at the school I interviewed at last week, they have similar stats. 11 offers and 5 acceptances. She explained that because they have a lower stipend, a lot of student turn down their offers and choose to go elsewhere. There were 6 labs looking for students last year, for whatever reason, not a right fit or everyone turned them down, only 5 labs ended up with students. But at least at this school, they go down the waitlist until they get someone who accepts.

 

[futureapppsy2]

Different schools do it different ways and they may even vary it year to year. For example, my university typically makes a smaller number of offers at first and then pulls from the waitlist, but this year they accepted quite a large number and are waiting to see how many of those accept their offers. So they might not make any offers to people on the waitlist depending on how many accept.

+1

I recently asked on an interview weekend if that particular school used a waitlist, and the answer was that it varied year to year.

Also, schools may waitlist for different reasons. I was waitlisted at one but then accepted off the waitlist when I received a nice university fellowship (I guess they could have just come on the same day, out of concidence, but I doubt it).

 

[Jezebel09]

One said I was a "high alternate" but they do not rank numerically.
The other didn't tell me, maybe I could send a follow-up email.
Subjectively, it felt like I was high on the list but I know better than to go solely by that. Thanks.

I cannot remember where I read this, so you need to take it with a grain of salt, but I remember reading that if a program says that you are "high" on the waitlist, it is supposed to mean that you are highly likely to get an offer. But, now that I cannot find that information, I cannot tell you how reliable it was.

More reliable: If you have the Insider's Guide, I highly recommend reading p. 106 (2008/2009 Ed.). I think it has some really good information that would be helpful for you. That is, if you haven't already read it. : )

 

[hamsterpants]

I cannot remember where I read this, so you need to take it with a grain of salt, but I remember reading that if a program says that you are "high" on the waitlist, it is supposed to mean that you are highly likely to get an offer. But, now that I cannot find that information, I cannot tell you how reliable it was.

More reliable: If you have the Insider's Guide, I highly recommend reading p. 106 (2008/2009 Ed.). I think it has some really good information that would be helpful for you. That is, if you haven't already read it. : )

My one regret this season is that I did not buy the Insider's Guide, I made myself choose between two application advice books (financial reasons) and it looks like I may have picked the wrong one. I will see if I can find a copy.

 

[Jezebel09]

My one regret this season is that I did not buy the Insider's Guide, I made myself choose between two application advice books (financial reasons) and it looks like I may have picked the wrong one. I will see if I can find a copy.

I'll try to copy it for you.

 

[hamsterpants]

I'll try to copy it for you.

That would be rad!

 

[Jezebel09]

That would be rad!

Okay, first and foremost, I just figured out where I read the information about what "high on the alternate list" means. It is in that PDF that YOU have been graciously giving to everyone. It is in the "Council of University Directors of Clinical Psychology Guidelines for Graduate School"

http://www.temple.edu/psychology/clinical/documents/guidelines.pdf

Check out #5b.

 

[hamsterpants]

Okay, first and foremost, I just figured out where I read the information about what "high on the alternate list" means. It is in that PDF that YOU have been graciously giving to everyone. It is in the "Council of University Directors of Clinical Psychology Guidelines for Graduate School"

http://www.temple.edu/psychology/clinical/documents/guidelines.pdf

Check out #5b.

Ha. I can't believe I missed that!

 

[futureapppsy2]

My one regret this season is that I did not buy the Insider's Guide, I made myself choose between two application advice books (financial reasons) and it looks like I may have picked the wrong one. I will see if I can find a copy.

Have you considered just going to a bookstore and looking through a copy there?

 

[hamsterpants]

Have you considered just going to a bookstore and looking through a copy there?

Jezebel was nice enough to email it to me but yep, that was my strategy this season. 😉