<p>So I was wait listed and that appears to be my only 'acceptance' for PhD programs for the fall. Does anyone have any idea of how this process works and what my chances might be of making it into the cohort fort the fall?</p>
<p>Dear Dr. [Program Director],</p>
<p>I received your recent letter informing me that I am on the waitlist for your program at [School]. I just wanted to let you know that I remain very enthusiastic about the program. I feel that [School] would be an excellent fit for me. There are several reasons for this: [reason 1], [reason 2], and [reason 3]. The research done in your department is a major reason I applied to [School], particularly in the sub-field of [department strength]. There are several professors I would be delighted to work with, including Drs. [Prof 1], [Prof 2], and [Prof 3]. [Make sure these are in {department strength}] I believe my background in [something at least vaguely related to {department strength}] prepares me well for work in [field] and your program in particular.</p>
<p>To reiterate, I am very excited about the [program name] at [School]! I know with waitlists there can be a lot of shuffling and uncertainty, and I know schools are eager to finalize entering cohorts to plan for the coming academic year. I’d like you to know that [School] is my top choice. If offered a position, I would certainly accept. I believe [School] is a place I could be both productive and happy.</p>
<p>If you have any questions for me or would like to talk about my application, feel free to email or call me at your convenience. Thank you for your time.</p>
<p>Sincerely,
[Name]
[Address]
[Phone number]</p>
<p>Thanks a bunch. Email or snail mail??</p>
<p>email. Much quicker and secure (lost letters, etc.) Also you would want to address it as soon as possible. Email has become a widely acceptable for of media for these types of messages. I personally contacted several professors and programs via email without any trouble.</p>
<p>Yeah, email. If you send it today, the program director can mull it over tomorrow, and be thinking about your app even if there’s a committee meeting first thing Monday.</p>
<p>My father is a professor, and a program director for a grad program. He’s specifically said such letters can have positive effects. It’s not that the letter will cause them to turn around and offer you a spot. (Though I suppose there’s an outside chance of that.) It’s more that it can cause you to be moved up on the waitlist, making an offer more likely. (And remember that it’s early in the season now, and pretty much all schools have some list movement, so really top of the list probably equals an offer.) Last year my father got such a letter from someone convincing him of the applicant’s passion for his program. Applicant was moved up several places on the list, and ended up getting an offer, but they wouldn’t have otherwise.</p>
<p>Another thought: is this a program where you commit to doing thesis work with a particular prof before admission? (In my field, we don’t; we do lab rotations instead.) If yes, you might want to get communication going with your POI, who might be able to pull the strings to get you in.</p>
<p>Good luck, and let us know how it turns out!</p>
<p>Thanks. I produced a letter and sent it on its way. The professor I would be working with is also the DGS so its a fairly direct conversation so I am hoping for the best. Thank you again for all of the assistance.</p>