Waitlisted Peeps

[kbl2017]

Just so you all know, people can decide their SF is not a good fit after they visit the facility. So people may hear from SMART as late as mid-July if someone pulls out last minute.

[AeroApp]

As much as I hate to say it (as a waitlisted/rejected applicant), there's so much money on the line for only a couple years max of service that I highly doubt any significant number of people will decline after the site visit.

[kbl2017]

As much as I hate to say it (as a waitlisted/rejected applicant), there's so much money on the line for only a couple years max of service that I highly doubt any significant number of people will decline after the site visit.

Very true. But I think it does happen. I assume more people say no to it initially than will say no to it later on. But it is always possible.

[Rejected]

I'd like to know if there are still people who have the temp closed status. If so, they are probably at the top of the waitlist and the rest of us with the incorrect username are completely hopeless. If not, I'd like to think that those of us who were at least recommended by a facility are at the top of the waitlist (but I also seriously doubt more than maybe 3-5 people will be plucked from the waitlist).

[kbl2017]

I'd like to know if there are still people who have the temp closed status. If so, they are probably at the top of the waitlist and the rest of us with the incorrect username are completely hopeless. If not, I'd like to think that those of us who were at least recommended by a facility are at the top of the waitlist (but I also seriously doubt more than maybe 3-5 people will be plucked from the waitlist).

I would think if you were recommended and have not received an award yet then your facility hasn't been funded. Otherwise, I really think it depends on if you interviewed or not. My facility chose 10 scholars so someone else has more of a chance getting in since 10 different people could decide no. However, some only select 1 person.

[Rejected]

I'd like to know if there are still people who have the temp closed status. If so, they are probably at the top of the waitlist and the rest of us with the incorrect username are completely hopeless. If not, I'd like to think that those of us who were at least recommended by a facility are at the top of the waitlist (but I also seriously doubt more than maybe 3-5 people will be plucked from the waitlist).

I would think if you were recommended and have not received an award yet then your facility hasn't been funded. Otherwise, I really think it depends on if you interviewed or not. My facility chose 10 scholars so someone else has more of a chance getting in since 10 different people could decide no. However, some only select 1 person.

Good point. How do you know your facility chose 10 scholars? By just counting on the forums?

[kbl2017]

I'd like to know if there are still people who have the temp closed status. If so, they are probably at the top of the waitlist and the rest of us with the incorrect username are completely hopeless. If not, I'd like to think that those of us who were at least recommended by a facility are at the top of the waitlist (but I also seriously doubt more than maybe 3-5 people will be plucked from the waitlist).

I would think if you were recommended and have not received an award yet then your facility hasn't been funded. Otherwise, I really think it depends on if you interviewed or not. My facility chose 10 scholars so someone else has more of a chance getting in since 10 different people could decide no. However, some only select 1 person.

Good point. How do you know your facility chose 10 scholars? By just counting on the forums?

We got an email about the when the site visit is and who our contact person is.

[I_was_called]

I got a phone call from Texas 45 minutes ago (that I missed :( ) from someone wanting to talk about my SMART application. He said the following:

"My name is ... I'm with the SMART scholarship program. I'm calling
in regards to the scholarships you applied for ...
I have some questions and some information I want to share with you."

Anyone else get a similar call? The last person to call me from Texas was a SMART liason for the Airforce who wanted to know what I thought about the Airforce facilities I interviewed with. I've been (and still am) a solid "Either the email address or the password you entered is incorrect." so I'm certainly not counting on anything yet.

I had just recently come to peace with my rejection so this is a stomach twister for me. Now, I just hope I can sleep tonight.

I'll update my fellow "waitlisted peeps" tomorrow and I would appreciate if anyone can share insight from a similar phone call.

[littlehope]

Not to get your hopes up but I definitely think that the call is promising. I would for sure call back even if it is just to leave a message stating that you are still interested and would love to have a chance to speak with him tomorrow.

Last year, the people who were waitlisted and got the award later in the summer received calls prior to being offered the award so that SMART could assess if the person still had an interest if SMART offered the award so that they don't accidentally waste time by offering the award to someone who has moved on and would deny it. So they very well could have not entered your info into the award portal till they receive a cut and dry yes from you over the phone.

Secondly, the people who received the first round of offers were required to complete the paperwork by this last Sunday so now they probably are looking to offer the awards that got rejected from that original group.

Good Luck to you!

[I_was_called]

Okay, thanks for putting that into perspective for me. I called back and left a message, but I think he was done for the day by then. I've turned my ringer up to max and will wake up early to stare at my phone for 4 hrs tomorrow in preparation for it ringing. Thanks again!

[kbl2017]

Okay, thanks for putting that into perspective for me. I called back and left a message, but I think he was done for the day by then. I've turned my ringer up to max and will wake up early to stare at my phone for 4 hrs tomorrow in preparation for it ringing. Thanks again!

Don't stress out too much! It certainly cannot be bad news!

[I_was_called]

I called the guy today and he said they had some extra funding and wanted to know (1) if I was still interested in the SMART program and (2) if I was interested in working at Kirkland Air Force Base (a facility I interviewed with). I said yes to both and he said "well, today might be your lucky day" and then he said he would put me in the system within the next day or so and that I should give him a call back if I didn't see anything over the next few days. He said "nothing is official till you get the award, but things are looking good for you."

I guess the ambiguous rejection letter with the incorrect username message doesn't mean your out of the game if some facilities recommended you. I hope other people start getting phone calls soon as well.