Kathrin  +  365133 Tue, 15 May 07 11:14 AM Hi, I send an application to an English university on Friday and did not get any answer since then. Though I have no experience with English companies or institutions and it was my very first try, I am wondering how long do they need to answer.  Of course I would like to get an short e-mail concerning my application and waiting would help but it is interesting to know the customs in an other country. Any idea? Tnank for the help and the understanding of my problem. Kathrin Joined on Fri, May 11 2007 Full Member 152 Is it me or is it the universe? It could be the universe but I am not sure thus I have been still wondering and drinking tea. However, the tea is getting cold. Universities

	Grammar Geek  +  365235 Tue, 15 May 07 03:28 PM Hi Kathrin, In the U.S., there are certain times in the year when applications considered and then the applicants are told of the decisions. I think it's becoming more common to receive something that simply says "Your packet has been received" but I don't know if that's universal yet. Also in the US, there is "early decision" - which is when you basically say "If you select me, I will definitely come here." Early decision applicants are told of their acceptence before the regular applicants. It helps the college know they have certain students who will definitely be attending, and help the student know that the decison has been made. For classes starting in August/September, I think the early decisions are notified in January or February, and the regular admissions a month or two later. Good luck! Grammar Geek Joined on Tue, Jan 10 2006 Veteran Member 19,683 Barbara, who answers in American English. My housekeeping skills attest to the truth of the second law of thermodynamics: Left to themselves, things get more and more random!

	Kathrin  +  365247 Tue, 15 May 07 03:51 PM Hi, many thanks for the answer but while reading it I realise that I didn't write my post specifcally enough, which of course I regret. My application is concerning a job and the employer is an university in the UK. But I think that your reply is very interesting from a general point of view and maybe they are some students happy to read it:-) Honestly I am waiting for someting like 'Your application has been received' but no so I got upset. Kathrin Universities

	nona the brit  +  365300 Tue, 15 May 07 05:19 PM You probably won't get that sort of message. You'll usually either just hear that they want to interview you or that they are not interested. It could take them a few weeks to do even that. nona the brit Joined on Wed, Sep 22 2004 England Veteran Member 11,713 The name says it all. Interviews

	Kathrin  +  365803 Wed, 16 May 07 10:56 AM Thank you! This was exactly the information I was looking for. I have different experience from Germany. If they don't replay 'we received ..', they are not interested at all and you may not even received they are not interested either. Kathrin

	Feebs11  +  365883 Wed, 16 May 07 01:45 PM Nona is right that it can take a long time. However, if you have applied for a specific post officially advertised, I think you have a right to ask if they have received it. As a courtesy, any organisation should at least say something has been received and will be actioned. If you have an e-mail contact address, then I would ask for this confirmation and say you look forward to hearing from them in the near future.  Feebs11 Joined on Thu, Nov 23 2006 UK Veteran Member 5,015

	Kathrin  +  365936 Wed, 16 May 07 02:50 PM Hi, yes, I have an email-address since the application has been sent via email and yes, it was a specific offically ad. Today I decided to be brave and send an email concerning the isssue. I am very curious about the reaction of Mr  B. But your advices helped me to find a solution in that awful situation:-) I am very grateful and happy again since I am not the big coward any more and fighting for my rights and against the (nasty) world:-) O, dear! I got an answer ten minutes later and yes, every thing is fine. This is a very interesting development, therefore I am really exited. This e-mail definitely makes my day as it says that the list is very short. I hope everyone, who read this, is going to learn something. As for me, I have learnt. But after all, I have got even more information as expected, so there is some luck in the bad luck. Thanks again!! Kathrin

	Grammar Geek  +  365945 Wed, 16 May 07 03:04 PM Hi Kathrin, You're right - I thought you meant as a student, and not as a job candidate. Sorry! In the US, many of the companies use an online form, and you'll get a simple e-mail saying that it was received, and nothing else, but the e-mail comes right away. But when I was job hunting, I was disapointed in how few companies sent ANYTHING at all. Did my application land on the right desk? Was it lost in a black hole? I never knew. Only when they would contact me to for an interview did I find out any human ever saw it all. Good luck! Grammar Geek Dates, Interviews

	Feebs11  +  365951 Wed, 16 May 07 03:10 PM So glad it worked - just goes to show: Nothing ventured, nothing gained.  Good luck! Feebs11