Graduate School Admission Results

Invited to the on-campus visit after the virtual interviews last week with POIs, but I want Harvard and MIT, not a state university

International Applicant from India (Chemistry Major), TOEFL score of 112/120, vast interdisciplinary research experience with multiple internships. 2 strong research-based LOR's and 1 academic LOR. 1 Publication in a good journal. At first, had an interview with one faculty member who seemed very interested in my profile. In the end, he ensured me he would try to convince the graduate committee to offer me a position. Got a mail from him one day after the interview congratulating me that I can expect the formal offer letter in a few days. 5th Acceptance from US University. Now just waiting for the heavyweights.

Thank you very much for your application for admission to the doctoral program in the Department of Psychology at the University of Michigan. The qualifications of the applicants this year were simply amazing! All of the challenging academic work and research efforts represented in the applications were very impressive. As a result, there are many candidates for admission that are very promising scholars; yet, we cannot accommodate all who are qualified. I regret to say that you will not be offered admission to the program this year. Over 1,000 students applied, and about twenty will comprise the entering class this fall. A major factor in admissions is the fit of the student to the faculty scholars we have in residence, even though many candidates show the dedication, achievement, and preparation needed to succeed in graduate school. My hope is that you will find a good match with another program or another route to the bright future ahead of you!

Invited to a formal interview with the faculty

After conducting three virtual interviews this past week (along with attending the virtual visit on Jan. 14th), I received an invitation for an in-person visit/interviews today. Full-ride undergraduate academic scholarship, 3 years of research lab experience, multiple presentations and publications--including one first authorship.

Got the email at 1 AM? Undergraduate double major in Aerospace and Mechanical engineering. Worked as a university tutor and teaching assistant for 3 years and 1 year, respectively. Working on an honors thesis for the last 2.5 semesters.

Mass rejection email, no interview offer. 2 years research experience with several presentations and 1 pending publication. My current mentor reached out about me to the PI I applied to, as they are friends/worked on several papers together. Pretty disappointed.

I regret to say that you will not be offered admission to the program this year. Over 1,000 students applied, and about twenty will comprise the entering class this fall. A major factor in admissions is the fit of the student to the faculty scholars we have in residence, even though many candidates show the dedication, achievement, and preparation needed to succeed in graduate school. My hope is that you will find a good match with another program, or another route to the bright future ahead of you!