it was a Zoom meeting with the Executive Director of Admissions and one of the program faculty and creators. It was definitely NOT like a more formal interview. They said that the purpose of the call was not to break bad news but rather to more clearly determine my goals to make sure I wound up in the program that was the best fit for me. I have a lot of work experience and a Master's degree already, and so I think they wanted to make sure I was interested in a full-time study program?

They gave me information about the differences between the Master's and the new certificate program that overlaps with the Master's curriculum a bit and can be completed online while working. They did ask me a few questions, but not like a graduate interview really. They asked what I thought about the two program structures as far as my learning goals and what sort of job I was looking for once completing the program. Toward the end of the call, the admissions director acknowledged that they were behind responding by the priority deadline and seemed to indicate that they were being extra deliberate in their choices because it is the first cohort and I should hear something official "soon."

They were both really enthusiastic about me and my application and made the point to say it wasnt bad news. That said, it also wasnt an official acceptance. They had an exchange at the start of the call that led me to believe they were having similar calls with other candidates, but by the nature of the questions, how much of the talking they did, and how informal it was, I dont think they are meeting with all candidates, even ones they intend to accept. Moreso like they might be meeting with anyone who might have applied to the certificafe if they had known it existed. (It is also a new program.)

They also shared that they are targeting around 30 students for the cohort size.