graduate school admissions?

Question

I've applied and interviewed at a school for my Psy.D. (Clinical Psychology). The program accepts up to 27 people per year and interviewed roughly 75-80. I was just informed that I am on the alternate list. I'm wondering what my realistic odds are for acceptance. I know it depends on financial aid, rejections, etc. My question is how OFTEN does someone reject a grad school. Do I have a 50/50 chance, or more like a 10% chance? Anyone know?

Also - is it common to find out BEFORE the April 15th deadline, or do schools wait until the deadline passes to assess the situation?

Answer 1

I realize you are incredibly anxious about this situation, but your question is impossible to answer in the form of a percentage. There are too many variables, such as:

How highly ranked is the program
How many other programs did each accepted candidate apply to
How competitive are the packages offered by that program (full tuition remission? how large is the stipend?)
What personal factors will each accepted student weigh in accepting or declining offers (location, spousal employment, etc.)

In answer to your second question, April 15th is the guideline provided by the Council on Graduate Education for graduate programs to notify applicants of acceptance/rejection.

However, most programs notify earlier, and provide April 15th as a strict deadline for all accepted students to accept or decline the offers extended to them.

Personally, I push all accepted students to notify me BEFORE the April 15th deadline, so that I can offer their declined awards to the next-ranked students before April 15.

Answer 2

Hi, well I am applying to grad school this year too. It really depends on how many people they have already offered admissions to, accept the offer of admissions. I have gotten into 5 PhD programs already and will be rejecting at least 4 of them, so it happens alot. It depends on how good the program is. Not everyone applies to as many schools as I did though (6). Alot of my friends haven't gotten in anywhere yet. Your chance of getting is probably pretty good if you were interviewed. Your chances are probably at least 50/50.

I have no idea about the April 15th thing. I would presume it would have to be before then, as they would expect you to have other offers on the table at other schools. That would be a good question for the departmental secretary....they usually know everything!