🚀 go-pugleaf

Every department handles their graduate student applications differently.
Some departments will assign a committee to examine and rank all the
applications.  Departments that do this usually have fellowships or
assistantships that are given out on a competitive basis.  At the other
extreme, some departments simply place all the applications in a folder and
let any faculty who need a student browse through them until they find a
suitable candidate.  The only way to know what the situation is at any
particular Department is to ask what the evaluation process involves.  Once
your application is submitted, unless you have something new to add like a
publication, there is little you can do other than stay in touch with the
faculty member that you envision as a prospective advisor (This is also the
best way to get accepted anyway!).  Be patient and good luck!


Bill Webb wrote in message <199803132056.PAA02338@hiroshima.american.edu>...
>Dear Ecologers,
>
>I am one of the many that recently sent applications out to graduate
>schools. I completed my applications and met the deadlines at the schools
>where I applied. Most deadlines passed weeks ago, but most programs failed
>to respond to me so far. I am anxious to obtain a response from these
>programs or learn more about the application evaluation process. I maintain
>contact with my faculty contacts and the departmental staff, but these
>sources seem to offer little insight into the actual evaluation process. I
>am usually told that my application is in the "departmental review
>process". Exactly what processes occur during this departmental review
>process? Why does the length of this process vary between different
>programs, and is there anything an applicant might do to strenghten their
>application during this time? Thanks,
>Bill Webb