<p>Got the e-mail from my department telling me I'm a candidate for graduate admission, and was told I'd have to wait to hear back from the office of admissions.</p>
<p>Does this mean I'm officially in, provided admissions clears the decision?</p>
<p>Not necessarily. There’s a lot of factors that can impact your decision for grad school. One big one would be funding within the department if you’re attempting to go into a research or teaching assistant position. </p>
<p>Just being told you’re a candidate for admission doesn’t mean you’re in. </p>
<p>The office of admissions really only plays a role in verifying a few documents, such as your final transcripts from whatever institution(s) you had to send them from, and a few other minor things. Basically it’s whatever the department says ultimately goes.</p>
<p>Thanks! Was approved by the office of admissions, so it looks like I’m in for Spring 2014! Selected “Yes! I plan to enroll!” for enrollment intention. However, my admissions notice states that my admission is good “only for the term specified above.” I may have to contact admissions about this as I was under the impression that I was pretty much confirmed as enrolled for however long it takes me to complete my Master’s degree.</p>
<p>I’m pretty sure that’s only in reference to when you can start, not finish. So you couldn’t apply for spring, get accepted, and then not start until summer or fall; you have to start the semester you applied for.</p>