When do waitlisted people hear back?

[PoliticalEcon]

All the way on April 15th?

[dsdoodle]

All the way on April 15th?

Probably after, since schools don't know who for sure will come until April 15th, when they can afford to offer to those on their waitlist knowing that the people they accepted will/won't come.

[PoliticalEcon]

Hmm...well, the way things are going for me, I think it is best to consider waitlist as an implicit rejection unless otherwise proven

[asquare]

Schools will notify people on the wait list as spaces become available (after admitted candidates turn down their offers). There does tend to be a lot of movement on April 15 itself, and the few days leading up to the 15th. Schools will turn around offers to waitlisted students before the 15th or even on the 15th if they can, so that those students can meet the deadline for informing other schools.

[PoliticalEcon]

Thanks asquare. On a related but slightly separate note, can one do anything to improve one's chances to get off the waitlist successfully?

[publicecon]

So if you are waitlisted somewhere and accepted somewhere else, do you have to risk the accepted offer by not committing in hopes of getting off the waitlist after April 15? (since all the offers say they can only honor them up till April 15)

[asquare]

Well, I don't know for sure. I think the first thing to do would be to talk to your advisors. Tell them you are waitlisted and see if there is anything they can do to help.

In addition, I'd guess that going to the flyout and expressing interest could help, if the school will allow waitlisted students to attend. You could e-mail the person who sent you the waitlist notification and ask if you would be permitted to attend the flyout, or to visit at another time. If you are waitlisted at a school you would definitely attend if admitted, you should let the school know that (again, by replying to the person who sent you the waitlist notification, or to the department secretary if the notification came from a website). If you are able to pay first year costs out of pocket, you might choose to say so. And if you receive an external fellowship such as the NSF, you should definitely let the school know.

[asquare]

publicecon, in that situation, you should definitely talk with the admissions director at the school where you are waitlisted. Explain the situation and ask for his/her advice. Schools face this every year and will be able to tell you how to handle the situation. You will probably be advised to consult with the school that has admitted you outright as well.

[publicecon]

thanks for the great advice!! I'll attend the flyout and see how it goes.

[PoliticalEcon]

Well, I don't know for sure. I think the first thing to do would be to talk to your advisors. Tell them you are waitlisted and see if there is anything they can do to help.

In addition, I'd guess that going to the flyout and expressing interest could help, if the school will allow waitlisted students to attend. You could e-mail the person who sent you the waitlist notification and ask if you would be permitted to attend the flyout, or to visit at another time. If you are waitlisted at a school you would definitely attend if admitted, you should let the school know that (again, by replying to the person who sent you the waitlist notification, or to the department secretary if the notification came from a website). If you are able to pay first year costs out of pocket, you might choose to say so. And if you receive an external fellowship such as the NSF, you should definitely let the school know.

Thanks! This is great advice. I have been in touch with the person who mailed me informing me of the decision. I think I made it QUITE sure that I was interested. But have been a bit wary to mail again as I don't want him to think I am pestering him! Re paying first year costs, I'll definitely be up for it (might involve vast amounts of loan, but considering I'm facing being shut out altogether this season.... :-|!). While it makes cost-benefit sense to the University and to myself, I kinda feel I would come across as desperate (which is not the same thing as interested?). I don't know, these things are so difficult to tell - entirely subjective on how he reads the e-mail.

PS: And I have already said to him that I won't be able to come for the open day thingy as I live oceans away! But i said that in a nice way, of course!