University vs Departmental Power

  • Context: Schools 
  • Thread starter Thread starter some_dude
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Power University
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the power dynamics between general university graduate school admissions offices and departmental admissions processes. Participants share their experiences and insights regarding the roles of these entities in the admissions process, particularly focusing on the implications for applicants.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that the central university administration typically acts as a rubber stamp in the graduate admissions process, primarily formalizing departmental recommendations.
  • Others share experiences indicating that the registrar's involvement is often minimal and more of a formality after departmental approval.
  • A few participants note that while departments may have significant influence, there can be tricky situations where a department wishes to admit a candidate who does not meet the university's minimum admission requirements, although such cases are described as rare.
  • One participant recounts a personal experience of being admitted despite not meeting a specific departmental requirement, highlighting the department's authority in the decision-making process.
  • Another participant expresses being in a similar situation, indicating ongoing uncertainty regarding their admission status.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that departmental recommendations play a crucial role in admissions, while the university registrar's role is often seen as largely formal. However, there are differing views on the frequency and implications of departments wanting to admit candidates who do not meet university requirements, indicating some unresolved nuances in the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include varying institutional policies and the specific definitions of "minimum admission requirements," which may differ across universities and departments. The discussion does not resolve the complexities surrounding these processes.

some_dude
Messages
92
Reaction score
0
Hi,

Does anyone know how much power general university grad school admissions offices tend to have versus the departmental ones? At one school I'm applying to, the departments make recommendations to the registrar's office, which actually sends out the formal acceptances. I just found out I recommended for acceptence with full funding at one school by the math department. Now it's in the registrar's hands, and I really hope it's just a rubber stamp type process.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
some_dude said:
Does anyone know how much power general university grad school admissions offices tend to have versus the departmental ones?

For graduate admissions, the central university administration is usually a rubber stamp.
 
At all the schools I'm familiar with it's more or less a rubber stamp process. The university registrar will establish minimum requirements for graduate student admissions into the university. Often specific departments will have higher minimum admission requirements or at very least adopt the same ones.

The only tricky situation I can think of is if for whatever reason the department wants to admit you but you don't meet the university's minimum admission requirements. This is a pretty rare circumstance though.
 
My acceptance to grad school was essentially handled by the department, and I had little interaction with the registrar's office. The registrar's involvement seemed more or less a formality.
 
Choppy said:
The only tricky situation I can think of is if for whatever reason the department wants to admit you but you don't meet the university's minimum admission requirements. This is a pretty rare circumstance though.
Was kind of in this situation (missed the departments GRE requirement by a drop), and I still got my letter 'cause the department had approved it.
 
Choppy said:
The only tricky situation I can think of is if for whatever reason the department wants to admit you but you don't meet the university's minimum admission requirements. This is a pretty rare circumstance though.

Sigh, I'm in this circumstance...
 

Similar threads

Schools Confused about the importance of departmental rankings
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
Admissions Why do Colleges Want "Well Rounded" Students?
  • · Replies 92 ·
4
Replies
92
Views
8K
Schools Top Liberal Arts School vs. Full Ride at State Uni
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Programs Advice on decision for a US vs UK/EU PhD [Particle Physics]
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
Admissions When to let schools know about an external fellowship?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Admissions What are my chances of being admitted into good graduate schools?
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
Admissions Should I submit an 840 PGRE in my applications to top US PhD programs?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Admissions Curious about my grad school prospects
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
Admissions Asking for time to decide on an offer of acceptance
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Schools How to Navigate Applying to HEPTH PhD Programs in Europe vs. the US?
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K