met with professor multiple times and they reviewed my application materials, no funding available for my positions

just a generic rejection email

No words on funding

No GRE. No interview but prior faculty connection.

No GRE. No interview.

No GRE.

Reached out to the program director because it has still been total radio silence on their end. I was assuming a soft rejection, but was told I was on the waitlist and that they would give me an official decision before April 15.

Decision came along with the graduate assistantship as well. MS GPA is 3.91/4.00

Received a kind email

Was told I was an excellent fit for the program but another candidate was a better fit due to budget cuts.

International.

0a/1w/3r *eyeroll

Email to check portal. Knew it was over when I reached out to supervisor I had met with in person because I hadn't heard anything and was ghosted on the response. This is my last cycle. I am done with this whole charade

Potential advisor had notified me before I applied that funding was very scarce this year and he might not be able to accept a new advisee unless he won additional grants