<p>I am on the waitlist at my top choice. What, if any, steps should I take to improve my chances? (Can I improve my chances?) Assume that I am on the waitlist at your school (which I am not). Thanks alot.</p>
<p>Dear yamamoto,</p>
<p>If you were on the waitlist for my program, there would be absolutely nothing you could do. Waitlist admissions are completely contingent on whether already-admitted students decide to go elsewhere. When and if they do, then we go to the first-ranked applicant on the waitlist.</p>
<p>We only have so many slots, and I cannot go to the waitlist until another slot opens. No additional contact, additional materials, additional <em>anything</em> could change that.</p>
<p>Thanks. Let me change the facts just a little. Now assume the program has not yet ranked applicants. Would contacting a potential advisor be advantageous?</p>
<p>hiya professor X, what about writing a letter of intent, telling them what you've accomplished since you got the wait list letter? Writing LOIs seems to be very common for med schols, don't know if it's the same case with grad programs, thanks.</p>
<p>Dear Prof X,</p>
<p>How is Beast.</p>
<p>yamamoto,</p>
<p>In that kind of scenario, it couldn't hurt to contact the professor with whom you anticipate working most closely. Contacting the DGS (via email) to apprise her/him of new accomplishments would not be really problematic either. Just watch the tone of the email.</p>
<p>wampa,
In my field at least, a formal "letter of intent" would be over the top. But a more casual email containing basically the same information would probably be fine. </p>
<p>Homestar,
Storm and Cyclops are fine. Haven't seen Beast in a while.</p>
<p>what if the PhD program doesn't fund everyone, and is still figuring out who gets funding packages? if you happen to be close to where the school is, and professors agree to meet with you, do you think its helpful to go in and make your case? by that, i mean tell them your research interests in some detail, explain to them why you think their department is a great fit for you, why you think you'd bring a lot to the program, etc., all somewhat framed within the language of their own research? not to say you alter what you're interested in, but frame it a little better to fit within what they do. while i dunno if any of this makes a difference, i might be in such a situation, so i can't imagine it hurting. i'm already in, just trying to make sure i get one of the funding spots.</p>
<p>zephyr00, </p>
<p>First, let me just convey my very, very strong suspicion that a PhD program is NOT, at the beginning of April, still "figuring out who gets funding." The <em>much</em> more likely scenario is that they've already offered funding to their top choices, and are waiting to hear back from them. If some of the top folks decline, the next-ranked others on the admit list will be offered funding.</p>
<p>If the program of which you speak is <em>really</em> "still figuring out who gets funding," then sure, meet with professors. But still, be careful about TONE. "Selling yourself" along a business model is <em>not</em> the way to get funding in an academic program, unless you are in a business / vocational field (engineering, etc.). The TONE of such meetings would better be described as "conversations about faculty research, indicating great interest in such, and describing the ways in which your research interests are a good match for said faculty." Mentioning to faculty that your eventual choices will be contingent on funding is unnecessary, as everyone's choices are. And in face-to-face meetings, be especially careful not to come off as over-the-top eager / pest. That could hurt you.</p>