The Saga of the Confused and the Waitlisted!

math_applicant · Post by **math_applicant** » Thu Mar 21, 2013 5:03 am

Since April 15th is closing in with many of us waiting to hear from some schools (waitlisted or second round offers) (including myself) and equally many with a few admits in hand to choose from and haven't made their minds yet (including myself), I thought of starting a thread to help both groups. People who are still not sure about their choice of one school vs another can post their particular question here so they can get feedback from others and thus help them get to their decisions sooner. This will also help those who are waitlisted by the same schools get their answer sooner as well.

My particular question was posted here: http://www.mathematicsgre.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=1228 . I got some pretty helpful insights, and I welcome anyone who has to add to the points made there.

Good luck for everyone!

selcuk2459 · Post by **selcuk2459** » Thu Mar 21, 2013 8:14 am

I have a very similar situation. There is only one school left for me. I am not waitlisted but did not get an offer nor rejection. There is another school whose offer I am preparing to accept but since they (illinois chicago) dont tell me anything, I am waiting and still can not sleep at nights. At least they can tell me that I have zero chance and no need to wait.

marco · Post by **marco** » Thu Mar 21, 2013 8:51 am

This is a great idea. I guess we could start by stating the schools we have been accepted to and the schools we are waiting on.
My list is the following:
Accepted: University of Arizona.
Waiting on:
Duke University
University of Maryland-College Park-AMSC program
University of Minnesota
New York University.

My research direction is Applied Math probably Applied Stochastic Analysis.

I guess maybe we could start by stating the information that we know of the admissions process of the various schools that people are waiting for.

coral · Post by **coral** » Thu Mar 21, 2013 9:03 am

+ stating if you are pure/applied/stats/OR might be helpful (at least for people like me who aren't on here too often and so don't remember what everyone is doing). Also research direction if you know.

selcuk2459 · Post by **selcuk2459** » Thu Mar 21, 2013 9:08 am

mine is pure math. out of 10 i heard from northwestern, texas a&m, stony brook, louisiana state, u washington, rutgers; florida state, u of miami and tulane. the first 6 are rejections and others acceptances. illinois chicago no news.

math_applicant · Post by **math_applicant** » Thu Mar 21, 2013 9:19 am

So I guess to sum up, people who have heard from the following schools and are have yet to make up their minds, please share your thoughts so we can help you with your decision. This will help you and others waiting as well.

Applied Math (marco):
Duke University
University of Maryland-College Park
University of Minnesota
New York University.

Pure Math:
Illinois-Chicago (selcuk2459).
UIUC (myself).
Duke (myself).

coral · Post by **coral** » Thu Mar 21, 2013 9:42 am

marco, I have an offer from Maryland that I'm likely to decline. I'm going to keep an open mind at visiting weekend this weekend but based on academic interest I think another school is a better fit for me. I'll let the know as soon as visiting weekend is over so I hope you get an offer. I hear that they are very strong in pde dynamical system stuff and what you are interested in as well.

Also haven't heard from nyu here either, and can't help you with the other schools.

marco · Post by **marco** » Thu Mar 21, 2013 10:00 am

coral wrote:marco, I have an offer from Maryland that I'm likely to decline. I'm going to keep an open mind at visiting weekend this weekend but based on academic interest I think another school is a better fit for me. I'll let the know as soon as visiting weekend is over so I hope you get an offer. I hear that they are very strong in pde dynamical system stuff and what you are interested in as well.

Also haven't heard from nyu here either, and can't help you with the other schools.

Hey Coral thanks a lot for letting me know about this. I'm really happy to hear it. BTW I applied to the AMSC program (Applied Math) which is separate from the pure math program. Where did you apply to? Congratulations by the way on your admits!

meredith · Post by **meredith** » Thu Mar 21, 2013 11:01 am

Hey!

I'm wait listed at Washington University. Does anyone have an offer from them that they're planning to decline?

tbil · Post by **tbil** » Thu Mar 21, 2013 11:07 am

Trying to decide between an unknown, lowly ranked school (in the top 100, but barely) where I've already made a connection with a potential advisor who is eager to work with me and is doing research that interests me...

-or-

Rice CAAM. I don't know anyone there. I've never visited. But many of the professors there do research that I'm interested in, too.

I suppose the obvious choice is Rice... but I feel sad about having to say no to the first school, where when I went to visit the campus they were so kind to me and eager to have me come. I hate disappointing people!

meredith · Post by **meredith** » Thu Mar 21, 2013 11:14 am

tbil wrote:I suppose the obvious choice is Rice... but I feel sad about having to say no to the first school, where when I went to visit the campus they were so kind to me and eager to have me come. I hate disappointing people!

I know exactly how you feel! I've chatted with a couple of people at ASU and I feel bad turning down the offer.

math_applicant · Post by **math_applicant** » Thu Mar 21, 2013 11:22 am

@tbil: I am sure professors will understand your position in turning down their offer, I don't think there will be any disappointment, PhD is a big decision, it's a place where you will spend may be over 5 years and will decide a lot about your career afterwards, so I think you should go to the best place you got into.

math_applicant · Post by **math_applicant** » Thu Mar 21, 2013 11:24 am

Summary:

math_applicant wrote:
Applied Math (marco):
Duke University
University of Maryland-College Park
University of Minnesota
New York University.

Pure Math:
Illinois-Chicago (selcuk2459).
UIUC (myself).
Duke (myself).

Adding Washington university.

@meredith, could you indicate your area of interest (applied vs pure)?

coral · Post by **coral** » Thu Mar 21, 2013 11:27 am

marco, I also applied to amsc, so same program.

tbil, yeah I hate that too, especially if they paid for you to visit and everything... Have you asked the advisor for his/her opinion? I've actually had advisors from one school be very honest and recommend me to go to another school that they thought had a stronger program.

Langlands · Post by **Langlands** » Thu Mar 21, 2013 11:33 am

I've not been rejected from Boston College (pure). I was told a first round of acceptances had been sent out and that I'd be notified if any progress was made with my application. Its a small program (~5 admits a year) so I'm thinking the wait list is relatively short.

math_applicant · Post by **math_applicant** » Thu Mar 21, 2013 11:39 am

coral wrote: I've actually had advisors from one school be very honest and recommend me to go to another school that they thought had a stronger program.

How did you frame your request for advice ? I am not sure about how to ask one professor at a certain department whether he thinks their group is strong enough.

meredith · Post by **meredith** » Thu Mar 21, 2013 12:09 pm

I'm doing pure math.

coral · Post by **coral** » Thu Mar 21, 2013 12:11 pm

math_applicant wrote:
coral wrote: I've actually had advisors from one school be very honest and recommend me to go to another school that they thought had a stronger program.
How did you frame your request for advice ? I am not sure about how to ask one professor at a certain department whether he thinks their group is strong enough.

So I didn't frame it in terms of there program not being strong enough, but instead I told him, "in addition to the program here, I'm also considering XXX. I'm interested in XXX. I'm wondering what your thoughts are on their department and their research strength in this area."

One professor told me that he had actually collaborated with people in the other department and that he has only good things to say about them. Another said that the other department is slightly stronger in XXX-subarea and if he were me all things being equal he would have a slight preference for the other department. Of course he following up with other positive things to consider about his own department but I think overall professors are pretty honest and will understand if you made a choice based on academic strength.

marco · Post by **marco** » Thu Mar 21, 2013 12:19 pm

coral wrote:marco, I also applied to amsc, so same program.

tbil, yeah I hate that too, especially if they paid for you to visit and everything... Have you asked the advisor for his/her opinion? I've actually had advisors from one school be very honest and recommend me to go to another school that they thought had a stronger program.

That is definitely good to know! Thanks Coral for sharing

!

marco · Post by **marco** » Thu Mar 21, 2013 12:21 pm

So here is the updated list:

Applied Math (marco):
Duke University
University of Maryland-College Park-AMSC
University of Minnesota
New York University.

Pure Math:
Illinois-Chicago (selcuk2459).
UIUC (myself).
Duke (myself).
University of Washington in St Louis (meredith).

meredith · Post by **meredith** » Thu Mar 21, 2013 12:44 pm

marco wrote:So here is the updated list:

Applied Math (marco):
Duke University
University of Maryland-College Park-AMSC
University of Minnesota
New York University.

Pure Math:
Illinois-Chicago (selcuk2459).
UIUC (myself).
Duke (myself).
University of Washington (meredith).

I'm actually Washington University in St. Louis

marco · Post by **marco** » Thu Mar 21, 2013 12:45 pm

Sorry about that. I have corrected the updated list.

rmg512 · Post by **rmg512** » Thu Mar 21, 2013 7:00 pm

Still waiting on Purdue Pure Math. My top choice at the moment... Given OSU is paying me $500 if I accept their offer by April 1st, I'm going to be pissed if Purdue rejects me after April 1st...

meredith · Post by **meredith** » Thu Mar 21, 2013 7:06 pm

rmg512 wrote:OSU is paying me $500 if I accept their offer by April 1st

Holy crap! That is the smartest thing ever. Would definitely speed this whole process along if more schools did something like that.

farmhouse · Post by **farmhouse** » Thu Mar 21, 2013 11:14 pm

@Marco

Have you heard about funding for the applied math program at Arizona?

ApplMathProfile · Post by **ApplMathProfile** » Thu Mar 21, 2013 11:42 pm

Edited

cooltrainer · Post by **cooltrainer** » Thu Mar 21, 2013 11:47 pm

ApplMathProfile wrote:To help people out (all of these are for Applied Math):

Accepted:
Northwestern (ESAM)
NYU (Atmosphere+Ocean Science)
UIC
Purdue

Waiting on:
Michigan (AIM)
Maryland (AMSC)

Rejected from:
Caltech (ACM)
Washington-Seattle
UChicago

I am officially waitisted form Michigan, but I haven't heard from Maryland since the request for more information.

Wow, this looks really impressive.

coral · Post by **coral** » Thu Mar 21, 2013 11:51 pm

ApplMathProfile, the michigan AIM program received ~150 applications, they have made about a dozen acceptances, and are hoping for an incoming class of about 6 or 7. I was talking to some students and at least 2 will be declining, so if you are keen to go there, you've got chances. And of course, congrats on your acceptances.

marco · Post by **marco** » Thu Mar 21, 2013 11:57 pm

farmhouse wrote:@Marco

Have you heard about funding for the applied math program at Arizona?

Hello I have heard on funding but I got into the Pure Math program

.

farmhouse · Post by **farmhouse** » Fri Mar 22, 2013 12:08 am

marco wrote:
farmhouse wrote:@Marco

Have you heard about funding for the applied math program at Arizona?
Hello I have heard on funding but I got into the Pure Math program .

Thanks! I'm hoping to hear from them soon.

ApplMathProfile · Post by **ApplMathProfile** » Fri Mar 22, 2013 12:10 am

Edited

MathFreaked · Post by **MathFreaked** » Fri Mar 22, 2013 12:19 am

farmhouse wrote:
marco wrote:
farmhouse wrote:@Marco

Have you heard about funding for the applied math program at Arizona?
Hello I have heard on funding but I got into the Pure Math program .
Thanks! I'm hoping to hear from them soon.

I haven't heard anything on Arizona (applied math) funding yet, other than a message on 03.08.13 saying that I was being "strongly considered for funding" or something to that effect.

MathFreaked · Post by **MathFreaked** » Fri Mar 22, 2013 12:21 am

ApplMathProfile wrote:... I know Northwestern also got ~150 applications and accepted about a dozen. Not sure if they're waitlisting or not.

As someone currently on the waitlist, they definitely have one (or so they tell me). I was told they sent out ~12 acceptances and have ~8 of us on the "reserves list".

cooltrainer · Post by **cooltrainer** » Fri Mar 22, 2013 12:22 am

farmhouse · Post by **farmhouse** » Fri Mar 22, 2013 12:28 am

MathFreaked wrote:
I haven't heard anything on Arizona (applied math) funding yet, other than a message on 03.08.13 saying that I was being "strongly considered for funding" or something to that effect.

That's good to know. I got a similar message on the same day.

math_applicant · Post by **math_applicant** » Fri Mar 22, 2013 4:38 am

Anyone else out there still confused about the choices they have blocking their decision ? The saga isn't complete with the waitlisted only

the thread has the names of the schools being waited for, if someone out there has NOT made their mind yet regarding these schools, you could let us know what is blocking you so we can help.

math_applicant · Post by **math_applicant** » Fri Mar 22, 2013 4:46 am

ApplMathProfile wrote: Thanks, that's good to know! I am still interested in Michigan since I love Ann Arbor, but if I get in and they don't blow me away during the visit, I'll probably go to NYU or Northwestern (visited both and loved them). My decision depends on whether I want to do atmospheric research vs. engineering research.

Could you post the issues blocking your choice between NYU and Northwestern ? may be someone can help you out!

Also, If you don't mind me noticing that your choice is restricted to NYU, Northwestern while waiting on Michigan, Does that mean you already declined Purdue and UIC or not yet ? If not, you could also ask for help with such decision.

congrats on the admits and good luck hearing from Michigan.

Gasquet · Post by **Gasquet** » Fri Mar 22, 2013 5:25 am

Wait-list:
UCLA (online status still says no decision made. Email exchange told me wait-list)
UMN

Not heard from:
UIC
NYU
Stony Brook AMS
Maryland AMSC (didn't get the further questions).

All applied math.

Anyone who has got admits from any of these schools and does not intend to go there, please decline soon so that I may get out of this limbo.

marco · Post by **marco** » Fri Mar 22, 2013 9:06 am

[/quote]I haven't heard anything on Arizona (applied math) funding yet, other than a message on 03.08.13 saying that I was being "strongly considered for funding" or something to that effect.[/quote]

March 8 was the date they told me financial decisions were made for the pure math program. So I'm guessing there could be another date for the financial decisions on the applied math program to be made.

math_applicant · Post by **math_applicant** » Fri Mar 22, 2013 10:55 am

rmg512 wrote:Still waiting on Purdue Pure Math. My top choice at the moment... Given OSU is paying me $500 if I accept their offer by April 1st, I'm going to be pissed if Purdue rejects me after April 1st...

I have the same problem with UIUC, I am waitlisted there and they are having their open house around the end of March so I suppose I won't hear from them before April 1st either. It would really suck to get a rejection later and pass on the bonus at the same time.

marco · Post by **marco** » Sat Mar 23, 2013 12:09 pm

So suppose I wanted to send an email to a school asking about my application status? Would you guys think it is a good idea to
tell them that I have been admitted to another program but I am waiting for a decision from them because they are one of my top choices? Would it be a good idea to mention the name of the school?

meredith · Post by **meredith** » Sat Mar 23, 2013 12:18 pm

marco wrote:So suppose I wanted to send an email to a school asking about my application status? Would you guys think it is a good idea to
tell them that I have been admitted to another program but I am waiting for a decision from them because they are one of my top choices? Would it be a good idea to mention the name of the school?

When I emailed, I said something along the lines of "I'm very interested in your school, but I have other schools waiting on my decision. I understand that you're very busy, but any information you can give me on the status of my application would be greatly appreciated"

I'm actually trying to stay strong and not email WashU again until April, but it's getting tough.

MathFreaked · Post by **MathFreaked** » Sat Mar 23, 2013 12:26 pm

marco wrote:So suppose I wanted to send an email to a school asking about my application status? Would you guys think it is a good idea to
tell them that I have been admitted to another program but I am waiting for a decision from them because they are one of my top choices? Would it be a good idea to mention the name of the school?

This is purely anecdotal evidence, but I did this about a week ago as I was frustrated that I hadn't heard back from 3 schools yet. I didn't mention any of my acceptances in particular, I just said that I had some and was hoping to have more time to make an educated decision. I heard back from all 3 schools I contacted, 1 of which accepted me (officially), 1 of which rejected me (unofficially), and 1 of which told me that a decision would be made on my application "soon" (which I interpreted as April 15th).

All in all I'd say it can't hurt to ask, unless the school specifically asks you not to (e.g. I saw a post somewhere on this site recently linking to Rice's FAQ that tells candidates not to email the department with questions about application status).

marco · Post by **marco** » Sat Mar 23, 2013 12:28 pm

meredith wrote:
marco wrote:So suppose I wanted to send an email to a school asking about my application status? Would you guys think it is a good idea to
tell them that I have been admitted to another program but I am waiting for a decision from them because they are one of my top choices? Would it be a good idea to mention the name of the school?
When I emailed, I said something along the lines of "I'm very interested in your school, but I have other schools waiting on my decision. I understand that you're very busy, but any information you can give me on the status of my application would be greatly appreciated"

I'm actually trying to stay strong and not email WashU again until April, but it's getting tough.

Im going to go ahead and mail one school in particular

. I won't mention the school I have got into. I'll keep you posted.
Thanks for your advice.

marco · Post by **marco** » Sat Mar 23, 2013 12:41 pm

Message sent.

marco · Post by **marco** » Mon Mar 25, 2013 2:07 pm

So I received a reply from UMN regarding my application status. Basically they wait-listed me, they said that I was on the alternate list and that if I was still interested by April 8 I should email them. They said that on April 8 they may or may not make a second round of offers, depending on the replies they receive from the first round.
BTW has anyone heard from NYU?

meredith · Post by **meredith** » Wed Mar 27, 2013 6:22 pm

I just got an acceptance letter from Washington University in St. Louis! Very excited!

However, now it's decision time. Do people know anything about the department (from a visit or something)?

marco · Post by **marco** » Thu Mar 28, 2013 1:03 am

Congrats! It's good to know people do actually get off the waitlist!

meredith · Post by **meredith** » Thu Mar 28, 2013 1:59 am

Thanks marco! I really hope things work out for you!

longtm1989 · Post by **longtm1989** » Fri Mar 29, 2013 9:58 am

Today's almost the end of the month, hope that schools will send something. At least they should have like a reasonable list of waitlisted and accepted students at the moment.