Wait-Listed

<p>I've been wait-listed at one of my top choices. I believe I have shown my passion for the program post the interview through my contact with the program's coordinator. Should I just wait OR email the professors whom I really get along with during the interview?</p>

<p>Also, I wonder if you guys have any insights on how the wait-list works. I always wonder if the program takes into account the yield rate, and thus, applicants from the wait list are only selected if less than expected accept the offer? For example: If the program is aiming for 10 students, do they give out 20 offers out of 30 interviewees and wait-list the rest? OR will they give out 10 offers, and select applicants from the waitlist as each offer is being declined? </p>

<p>Lastly, what are your opinions on being wait-listed? Would you consider any less if you were actually admitted at the end (assuming you have 1-2 weeks to decide)? I know there are multiple factors to this issue, so I would love to hear your thoughts.</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>After being waitlisted, there is absolutely nothing more you can or should do. Sending extra materials or contacting professors "to show continued interest" is a terrible idea. Academia does not operate in the same fashion as industry.</p>

<p>People cannot be moved up from the wait-list by any kind of faculty action. Decisions have been made, and the committee will not reconvene. The only way to move up from the wait-list is for a sufficient number of accepted applicants to decline admission.</p>

<p>Most programs do not accept more students than they intend to enroll. It is not like undergraduate admissions where there is an expected yield rate.</p>

<p>I feel Professor X's post is spot-on, with the caveat that most biosciences programs in fact do give out more offers than their target class size, based on expected yield rate.</p>

<p>For example: if 100 students are aimed, 120 or more admissions are given out. This means decline of admission might be already considered in advance. As long as not too many people decline, no more admission will be given if decisions are made.</p>

<p>Isn't it the case? Or, there is always a waiting list for moving people if the number of the accepted changes?</p>