Informal letter of acceptance? What should be the next steps?
Hey everyone.
I received an informal acceptance mail from the Department of Physics at the University of Sussex for admission to their PhD program. Yesterday I contacted them and asked for an update, they told me that the director of doctoral studies had approved my candidature too. They are now waiting for final confirmation from the admissions department.
Does this mean I am admitted, and the final confirmation is just some administrative thing?
If so, I would like to know what my next steps should be. For instance, I will need an ATAS certificate, but from what I could gather from a couple of blogs, I will need the official offer letter to do that. We all know that ATAS can take months on end to clear. What should I do? Should I talk to the university representatives about this? The program starts in September and I'm afraid it might take longer for me to get the ATAS, CAS and VISA.
Also, would it be premature to start looking for accommodation at this point?
These questions might sound silly, so I apologize for that. But, I am a bit overwhelmed at this moment tbh and would like to have your suggestions.
I received an informal acceptance mail from the Department of Physics at the University of Sussex for admission to their PhD program. Yesterday I contacted them and asked for an update, they told me that the director of doctoral studies had approved my candidature too. They are now waiting for final confirmation from the admissions department.
Does this mean I am admitted, and the final confirmation is just some administrative thing?
If so, I would like to know what my next steps should be. For instance, I will need an ATAS certificate, but from what I could gather from a couple of blogs, I will need the official offer letter to do that. We all know that ATAS can take months on end to clear. What should I do? Should I talk to the university representatives about this? The program starts in September and I'm afraid it might take longer for me to get the ATAS, CAS and VISA.
Also, would it be premature to start looking for accommodation at this point?
These questions might sound silly, so I apologize for that. But, I am a bit overwhelmed at this moment tbh and would like to have your suggestions.
Reply 3
Thanks. It's PhD in Quantum Tech. I had my interview on 17th April.
Whilst the last few steps are typically admin, there will be checks to make sure the academic dept have not missed anything that might prohibit the uni making a formal offer. In 99.99% cases you will be fine, but you are not over the line quite yet. Personally I would not book accomodation yet.
For Visa/CAS you still have plenty of time, but I agree ATAS can be very slow and may be an issue, (completely out of your hands once submitted).
It's fine to email your contact and say that you're mindful of the process for the ATAS taking a long time and see if there is anything you can do in the meantime, or maybe speak to the immigration/international office at the uni for any advice they can give.
For Visa/CAS you still have plenty of time, but I agree ATAS can be very slow and may be an issue, (completely out of your hands once submitted).
It's fine to email your contact and say that you're mindful of the process for the ATAS taking a long time and see if there is anything you can do in the meantime, or maybe speak to the immigration/international office at the uni for any advice they can give.
Reply 6
Original post by Srijay
Excellent. Enjoy your time in Sussex. Are you in the final year now?
Thanks. Still waiting for the official letter though. Completed my master's in Physics a year ago
Reply 7
Original post by Admit-One
Whilst the last few steps are typically admin, there will be checks to make sure the academic dept have not missed anything that might prohibit the uni making a formal offer. In 99.99% cases you will be fine, but you are not over the line quite yet. Personally I would not book accomodation yet.
For Visa/CAS you still have plenty of time, but I agree ATAS can be very slow and may be an issue, (completely out of your hands once submitted).
It's fine to email your contact and say that you're mindful of the process for the ATAS taking a long time and see if there is anything you can do in the meantime, or maybe speak to the immigration/international office at the uni for any advice they can give.
For Visa/CAS you still have plenty of time, but I agree ATAS can be very slow and may be an issue, (completely out of your hands once submitted).
It's fine to email your contact and say that you're mindful of the process for the ATAS taking a long time and see if there is anything you can do in the meantime, or maybe speak to the immigration/international office at the uni for any advice they can give.
That's sound advice. Thank you so much! I will ask them once (and if) I get the official letter.
Reply 9
Original post by Rev12
Hi,
Did you receive your offer letter yet?
Did you receive your offer letter yet?
Nope. Not yet.
Reply 10
Original post by Rev12
Hi,
Did you receive your offer letter yet?
Did you receive your offer letter yet?
Did you receive any informal mail too?
Original post by quirkypanda
Did you receive any informal mail too?
Yes, but it's with a different university from where I did my master's. My supervisor sent me an acceptance email four weeks ago, and I am anxiously awaiting an offer letter.
On a side note, Doctoral College has been in touch.
When did you receive an acceptance email, and how long have you been waiting since?
Reply 12
Original post by Rev12
Yes, but it's with a different university from where I did my master's. My supervisor sent me an acceptance email four weeks ago, and I am anxiously awaiting an offer letter.
On a side note, Doctoral College has been in touch.
When did you receive an acceptance email, and how long have you been waiting since?
On a side note, Doctoral College has been in touch.
When did you receive an acceptance email, and how long have you been waiting since?
I received mine more than a month ago. Like you, I too am waiting for the formal letter
Original post by quirkypanda
I received mine more than a month ago. Like you, I too am waiting for the formal letter
If I don't get an offer by tomorrow, I will email my supervisor and doctoral college.
The wait is so nerve-wracking...
And then we have to wait for ATAS.
Reply 14
Original post by Rev12
If I don't get an offer by tomorrow, I will email my supervisor and doctoral college.
The wait is so nerve-wracking...
And then we have to wait for ATAS.
The wait is so nerve-wracking...
And then we have to wait for ATAS.
I had mailed them two weeks ago. Got prompt reply but looks like it's gonna be a while. And yes, ATAS is a major hurdle in terms of time.
Original post by quirkypanda
I had mailed them two weeks ago. Got prompt reply but looks like it's gonna be a while. And yes, ATAS is a major hurdle in terms of time.
Email your supervisor and try to contact someone from the Doctoral college directly.
I wish you the best. Fingers crossed
We will get there.
If you don't mind, let's connect. Idk if I can send you a DM.
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