Really made my night! Out of the blue acceptance with a really good funding offer.

No notification was sent. I had to check the website.

notification from POI no funding for new grad student, official post rejection a month later

Unofficial email from POI notifying me of acceptance.

No major professor available... Not even sure they use the other reject options.

"No major professor available in proposed specialization in major."

Very kind voicemail from POI saying that I was an excellent candidate and he didn't want me to get the rejection letter/email in the next couple of days and misunderstand: he is not doing much empirical work right now so he does not feel like it is a good situation for a grad student. Makes sense. Wish I had been home to get the call!

Post interview. Emailed grad admissions, letters going out soon. Over 500 applicants for 16 spots.

I got an email from the department chair on the date I specified, but did not receive my official acceptance letter til Feb. 24.

This one was a sad letter to read, but I guess it's just not where I'm supposed to be.

Deny reason: "No major professor in proposed specialization."

Unofficial upon inquiry. Wasn't really surprised (no e-mail, no visit)-I just wanted to actually get the news so I decided to call. I still think it's...bad manners to take my ~70 bucks and not even have the decency to tell me I'm rejected. But whatever, not a top choice school.