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Re: Decision Dates 2016

Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2016 2:16 pm
by kennicutt
Pretty sure they haven't sent anything out yet. My contact at Caltech said the committee met last week, so I expect they'll send out their first acceptances sometime this week.

Re: Decision Dates 2016

Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2016 2:58 pm
by damdum
kennicutt wrote:Pretty sure they haven't sent anything out yet. My contact at Caltech said the committee met last week, so I expect they'll send out their first acceptances sometime this week.
Ah, cool. Thank you! And good luck!

Re: Decision Dates 2016

Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2016 7:04 pm
by frozen_stair
Does anyone have "inside" knowledge on when UC Santa Barbara's acceptances will start coming out? They're pretty late compared to past years!

There's only one on gradcafe, and I think that was a "special" one because that applicant received a phone call.

Re: Decision Dates 2016

Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2016 7:50 pm
by pgrethrowaway
UT-Austin just sent out invitations for their Open House, Feb 17-19th. I'm not sure if that means those invited have been accepted, or simply invited to interview in person.

Also Duke's Open House has been announced as March 3-4th.

Re: Decision Dates 2016

Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2016 8:25 pm
by starformationrate
damdum wrote:
kennicutt wrote:Pretty sure they haven't sent anything out yet. My contact at Caltech said the committee met last week, so I expect they'll send out their first acceptances sometime this week.
Ah, cool. Thank you! And good luck!
Just FYI, I heard from Caltech today, and they made it sound like they'd send out more decisions this week. Good luck!

Re: Decision Dates 2016

Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2016 9:11 pm
by sadness2016
Did Cornell send out the whole first wave of acceptances today? :/

Re: Decision Dates 2016

Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2016 9:12 pm
by damdum
starformationrate wrote:
damdum wrote:
kennicutt wrote:Pretty sure they haven't sent anything out yet. My contact at Caltech said the committee met last week, so I expect they'll send out their first acceptances sometime this week.
Ah, cool. Thank you! And good luck!
Just FYI, I heard from Caltech today, and they made it sound like they'd send out more decisions this week. Good luck!
I got a call today too! I'm super excited.

Re: Decision Dates 2016

Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2016 10:39 pm
by Dishsoap
sadness2016 wrote:Did Cornell send out the whole first wave of acceptances today? :/
I don't think so. I got one and my offer letter said something about "being notified early". Don't worry.

Re: Decision Dates 2016

Posted: Tue Feb 02, 2016 5:46 pm
by vjade
NYU acceptance today!

Re: Decision Dates 2016

Posted: Tue Feb 02, 2016 10:52 pm
by amohobbyist
Someone on gradcafe said "Not receiving acceptance today is a rejection." with Caltech. Anyone know the reliability of this info?

Re: Decision Dates 2016

Posted: Tue Feb 02, 2016 11:20 pm
by broo
amohobbyist wrote:Someone on gradcafe said "Not receiving acceptance today is a rejection." with Caltech. Anyone know the reliability of this info?
I think the person's just being a defeatist. If you look back, Caltech doesn't send acceptances all in one day. I would be concerned if I don't hear anything by the end of Friday.

Re: Decision Dates 2016

Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2016 12:08 am
by Conga11
amohobbyist wrote:Someone on gradcafe said "Not receiving acceptance today is a rejection." with Caltech. Anyone know the reliability of this info?
There is one like that every year. If you look at past years you'll see that they still send out offers till the end of Feb. Though most of the offers are made early Feb. There's still hope but I would say it's unlikely. I am considering other options already.

Re: Decision Dates 2016

Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2016 12:40 am
by TakeruK
amohobbyist wrote:Someone on gradcafe said "Not receiving acceptance today is a rejection." with Caltech. Anyone know the reliability of this info?
Things can change from year to year, but I know that generally, Caltech Astro does not send all of its acceptances at once.

Re: Decision Dates 2016

Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2016 3:15 pm
by integratedfields
Has anyone heard from ASU astrophysics yet? I'm just asking because their deadline was so early, but I haven't seen anything on gradcafe

Re: Decision Dates 2016

Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2016 3:48 pm
by magnet625
Does anyone have any idea on decision date for Harvard's Physics program? I saw someone in thegradcafe received unofficial acceptance and are told Harvard was going to send official letters sometimes last week, but I don't see any official acceptance post on thegradcafe.
I just want to know if Harvard has already sent out their first round acceptance or not. Thanks.

Re: Decision Dates 2016

Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2016 4:19 pm
by damdum
magnet625 wrote:Does anyone have any idea on decision date for Harvard's Physics program? I saw someone in thegradcafe received unofficial acceptance and are told Harvard was going to send official letters sometimes last week, but I don't see any official acceptance post on thegradcafe.
I just want to know if Harvard has already sent out their first round acceptance or not. Thanks.
I think there has only been one unofficial acceptance on gradcafe on 24th January. I don't think they have sent out their first round of acceptances (would have probably shown up on there).

Judging from previous years, it looks like they send out their first round of acceptances in mid-February: 17th February last year, 13th February the year before, and 15th February the year before.

Re: Decision Dates 2016

Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2016 7:22 pm
by coolingc
Just heard positive news from University of Arizona today.

Re: Decision Dates 2016

Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2016 7:37 pm
by paulharrylemon
magnet625 wrote:Does anyone have any idea on decision date for Harvard's Physics program? I saw someone in thegradcafe received unofficial acceptance and are told Harvard was going to send official letters sometimes last week, but I don't see any official acceptance post on thegradcafe.
I just want to know if Harvard has already sent out their first round acceptance or not. Thanks.
That program is through chemistry and chemical biology, not physics. As the other poster said, you will definitely be able to tell when the first round of acceptances goes out (based on previous years of data).

Re: Decision Dates 2016

Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2016 8:35 am
by thehairupthere
So I've wondered this for a while: what's the deal with committees phoning applicants to tell them about acceptances? Was I wrong in thinking phones have no place in academia? Also would an admission committee phone an international student? Being in Europe, there's a 5 to 12 hour time difference...

Re: Decision Dates 2016

Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2016 9:13 am
by Dishsoap
thehairupthere wrote:So I've wondered this for a while: what's the deal with committees phoning applicants to tell them about acceptances? Was I wrong in thinking phones have no place in academia? Also would an admission committee phone an international student? Being in Europe, there's a 5 to 12 hour time difference...
I'm pretty active on the gradcafe forums, and there is an international student there who got a phone call at 3AM her time. It sucks, but admissions committees aren't really known for being considerate.

I also think it's strange for a committee to call a student to tell them about an acceptance. I received a phone call from a prospective PI "just to chat". I answered the phone while in the shower. Wouldn't have been as weird had it not been the university that is literally less than 10 minutes away.

Re: Decision Dates 2016

Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2016 12:25 pm
by TakeruK
I personally do not like talking on the phone either, but I'm not sure why it would be weird to call a candidate to tell them the good news of their acceptance! This is also common in the workforce---hiring/acceptances are almost always made by phone first.

I was on a hiring committee last fall and one of the things that the Human Resources person stressed to us was that we must treat all candidates the same. So, if we wanted to call someone to tell them they are moving onto the next stage of interviews, we would have to call all of them (can't just call your favourite and email the rest, for example). This line of thinking might be why international students will get phone calls at odd hours, even though technically, students are not always hired as employees so they don't always fall under the same HR policies.

Phones are very common in academia, at least in the areas I work in. Collaborators generally communicate by teleconference, which are sometimes Skype/Google Hangouts but more often, schools have rooms equipped with telephone conference equipment (so if you're part of a big group, you'd use that, but if you are a lone collaborator somewhere calling into the group, you'd just use your regular phone to call in).

The way I see it, it's not a big deal if you don't answer a phone call. So, if you are sleeping, or in the shower, or otherwise busy, just don't answer the phone? Let it go to voicemail, that's what voicemail is for! I set my phone to only allow calls from people on my contact list after 11pm (my bedtime) so that random calls like that won't wake me up. One school tried to reach me by phone but I had it on silence while in my first aid training, so I didn't answer it. I got an email the next day with the same information---no harm done.

Re: Decision Dates 2016

Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2016 2:11 pm
by thehairupthere
I wasn't meaning to say it's a big deal but it seems a much less reliable way of giving the info rather than an email - which also makes it more comfortable and gives you some time to process the information and write up your reply. Plus I miss half the phone calls I get during the day (when in lectures/meetings/forgot to turn the ringer back on), never mind the ones I get while asleep. Having said that it would seem very nice of a POI to phone up and give the good news - so I'm not really complaining anyway, just finding the whole practice odd.

PS. the first Harvard Astronomy acceptance is up on gradcafe.

Re: Decision Dates 2016

Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2016 3:25 pm
by TakeruK
thehairupthere wrote:I wasn't meaning to say it's a big deal but it seems a much less reliable way of giving the info rather than an email - which also makes it more comfortable and gives you some time to process the information and write up your reply. Plus I miss half the phone calls I get during the day (when in lectures/meetings/forgot to turn the ringer back on), never mind the ones I get while asleep. Having said that it would seem very nice of a POI to phone up and give the good news - so I'm not really complaining anyway, just finding the whole practice odd.
I didn't mean to make you have to defend yourself, sorry! Just wanted to provide some more perspective on your statement that you thought phones aren't used in academia. But, yes, it's hard to keep track of important details like stipend, start dates, visit dates, etc. over the phone so almost all phone calls are followed up with an email that gives the actual details. The phone call is just a personal touch that comes before the more formal email.

I do feel that our society's use of phones have changed a lot over the last few decades so I wonder what academic communication will look like in the future :) And I wonder what will be considered a "personal touch" by society!

Re: Decision Dates 2016

Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2016 10:16 am
by alfredthered
UT Austin sent out rejections late last night - email to check status on website.

Re: Decision Dates 2016

Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2016 10:29 am
by Conga11
alfredthered wrote:UT Austin sent out rejections late last night - email to check status on website.
Wow that is much earlier than last year according to gradcafe. I haven't got anything though.

Re: Decision Dates 2016

Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2016 12:30 pm
by sjewalkers
Madison is sending out rejections today - looks like it's right on schedule compared to last year.

Re: Decision Dates 2016

Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2016 1:54 pm
by spectral_flow
Did anyone get an email from Cornell stating that they would be sending all the decisions on the course of next week?

Re: Decision Dates 2016

Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2016 2:10 pm
by Pretendo_64
spectral_flow wrote:Did anyone get an email from Cornell stating that they would be sending all the decisions on the course of next week?
I got that email as well.

Re: Decision Dates 2016

Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2016 2:13 pm
by spectral_flow
Pretendo_64 wrote:
spectral_flow wrote:Did anyone get an email from Cornell stating that they would be sending all the decisions on the course of next week?
I got that email as well.
This means its a generic email, right? I do not know if I should be happy or sad :| :|

Re: Decision Dates 2016

Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2016 3:14 pm
by Pretendo_64
spectral_flow wrote:
Pretendo_64 wrote:
spectral_flow wrote:Did anyone get an email from Cornell stating that they would be sending all the decisions on the course of next week?
I got that email as well.
This means its a generic email, right? I do not know if I should be happy or sad :| :|
Yeah, I'm pretty sure it's generic. Everyone else I know who applied got it. The next week is going to go by real slowly.

Re: Decision Dates 2016

Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2016 6:39 pm
by pgrethrowaway
Carnegie Mellon emailed me an acceptance today. Open House 4/1-4/2.

Re: Decision Dates 2016

Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2016 5:07 am
by wompwomp
pgrethrowaway wrote:Carnegie Mellon emailed me an acceptance today. Open House 4/1-4/2.
Which overlaps with the Penn State Open House. Sheesh.

Re: Decision Dates 2016

Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2016 5:20 pm
by greensfunction
University of Maryland-College Park has sent out some acceptances according to gradcafe.

Re: Decision Dates 2016

Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2016 5:30 pm
by goedel_universe
If gradcafe indicates that a school has just sent out a mass of acceptances and I haven't heard back yet, does that means I am out to dry?

Re: Decision Dates 2016

Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2016 6:05 pm
by vjade
Many schools have multiple rounds of acceptances, so not hearing anything does not necessarily mean rejection at this point.

Also, I believe the Maryland acceptances are just those being offered the fellowship, with the actual first round set to come out very soon.

Re: Decision Dates 2016

Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2016 6:37 pm
by sadness2016
vjade wrote:Many schools have multiple rounds of acceptances, so not hearing anything does not necessarily mean rejection at this point.

Also, I believe the Maryland acceptances are just those being offered the fellowship, with the actual first round set to come out very soon.
I'm crossing my fingers and wearing my pyjamas inside out and hoping that's true with regards to Maryland...

Re: Decision Dates 2016

Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2016 2:55 pm
by Dishsoap
Has anyone heard anything on Yale yet?

Re: Decision Dates 2016

Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2016 4:32 pm
by spectral_flow
Dishsoap wrote:Does UIUC just send out one acceptance every once in awhile instead of sending them in rounds?
Seriously, Is there a specific procedure or not??

Re: Decision Dates 2016

Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2016 6:18 pm
by areyouhavingcats
spectral_flow wrote:
Dishsoap wrote:Does UIUC just send out one acceptance every once in awhile instead of sending them in rounds?
Seriously, Is there a specific procedure or not??
I don't know for certain but this does seem to be the case. Based on what I've seen on gradcafe and heard from other people they've been sending out acceptances kind of randomly.

Re: Decision Dates 2016

Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2016 10:21 pm
by Dishsoap
Heard some good news from Berkeley today :D

Re: Decision Dates 2016

Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2016 1:00 am
by broo
Dishsoap wrote:Heard some good news from Berkeley today :D
Did you inquire or did they tell you first?

Re: Decision Dates 2016

Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2016 8:56 am
by Dishsoap
broo wrote:
Dishsoap wrote:Heard some good news from Berkeley today :D
Did you inquire or did they tell you first?
They told me first. Though it wasn't an official offer or anything, just saying that I've been recommended for admission, nominated for a fellowship, and that they're calling me today to "talk for a few minutes". I have no idea what that means but I'm terrified.

Re: Decision Dates 2016

Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2016 9:44 am
by thehairupthere
Dishsoap wrote:
They told me first. Though it wasn't an official offer or anything, just saying that I've been recommended for admission, nominated for a fellowship, and that they're calling me today to "talk for a few minutes". I have no idea what that means but I'm terrified.
Congrats!

Do Berkeley usually send all (or at least a round of) acceptances at the same time or as soon as they are processed?

Re: Decision Dates 2016

Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2016 10:44 am
by Dishsoap
thehairupthere wrote:
Dishsoap wrote:
They told me first. Though it wasn't an official offer or anything, just saying that I've been recommended for admission, nominated for a fellowship, and that they're calling me today to "talk for a few minutes". I have no idea what that means but I'm terrified.
Congrats!

Do Berkeley usually send all (or at least a round of) acceptances at the same time or as soon as they are processed?

I'm guessing that they don't send one huge round... I'm the only one on gradcafe that's heard back from Berkeley so far, and with a pGRE of 750 it's not like I'm an exceptional applicant. Lol.

Re: Decision Dates 2016

Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2016 1:21 pm
by thehairupthere
Just got a rejection from Harvard astro. I'm starting to have a bad feeling about all my applications...

Re: Decision Dates 2016

Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2016 2:21 pm
by Izaac
I hear you man. So far here it's five rejections VS zero acceptance. Praying for my 8 other applications...

Re: Decision Dates 2016

Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2016 5:39 pm
by greensfunction
Did Santa Barbara send out all their acceptances today? I believe Harvard and MIT did today, and lots of people are hearing back from Santa Barbara and I haven't heard back and it's making me worried.

Re: Decision Dates 2016

Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2016 6:07 pm
by SoldatOvO
Dishsoap wrote:
thehairupthere wrote:
Dishsoap wrote:
They told me first. Though it wasn't an official offer or anything, just saying that I've been recommended for admission, nominated for a fellowship, and that they're calling me today to "talk for a few minutes". I have no idea what that means but I'm terrified.
Congrats!

Do Berkeley usually send all (or at least a round of) acceptances at the same time or as soon as they are processed?

I'm guessing that they don't send one huge round... I'm the only one on gradcafe that's heard back from Berkeley so far, and with a pGRE of 750 it's not like I'm an exceptional applicant. Lol.
Ohhh you've long been a great encouragement this application season! (1 offer 0 rejection but no news from 'commonly sense' big names here...)

Re: Decision Dates 2016

Posted: Fri Feb 12, 2016 2:12 pm
by thehairupthere
Anyone heard anything from UCLA Astro or Cornell Astro yet?

Re: Decision Dates 2016

Posted: Fri Feb 12, 2016 2:42 pm
by starformationrate
thehairupthere wrote:Anyone heard anything from UCLA Astro or Cornell Astro yet?
I got accepted into UCLA Astro, but there was no indication if this was part of a round of acceptances or an individual thing... My advisor's PhD advisor was on the adcomm, so it's possible I was just a "special" case? Either way, if you haven't heard anything, don't give up hope!