Kind of freaking out here...

[hopefulM.D.]

I have 5 waitlists and have to hear back from another, but I really am scared of the outcome. I applied early, but I took my 2nd MCAT on the august of the application cycle. I was contemplating applying to Sackler, but I am quite afraid that I won't be able to make it back in the US as a specialist. Do you think i will have more success if i just apply the next cycle with a new ps and the same stuff i had in my last application?

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[inferno]

I have 5 waitlists and have to hear back from another, but I really am scared of the outcome. I applied early, but I took my 2nd MCAT on the august of the application cycle. I was contemplating applying to Sackler, but I am quite afraid that I won't be able to make it back in the US as a specialist. Do you think i will have more success if i just apply the next cycle with a new ps and the same stuff i had in my last application?

I'm in the same boat. Three waitlists and one school that I have not heard from. I have already started my AMCAS again but do not have anything new to add (I am still working at the same job that I had when I applied last June). I am not really sure where to go from here.

 

[j04177117]

I'm in the same boat. Three waitlists and one school that I have not heard from. I have already started my AMCAS again but do not have anything new to add (I am still working at the same job that I had when I applied last June). I am not really sure where to go from here.

ditto here, 3 waitlists. i'm working on backup plans, applied to GT SMP, applying to BU MA in med sciences, applying to americorps, working in apps to AUC, Ross, St. Georges, and also considering a gig as a healthcare consultant.

i'm still optimistic i'll get off a waitlist, but you can't let backup plans fall through before it's too late to apply...

 

[LizzyM]

You are so close! All five of those schools think you are worthy - they just don't have a seat. There seems to be a lot of movement on quite a few waitlists which seems to mean that many schools chased the same top students and/or that the schools were stingy with their offers this year (usually they make 2 or 3 offers for every seat knowing that some who are offered admission will choose to go elsewhere).

Have you contacted all 5 schools to say that you will come if asked? There is no crime in that as long as you accept the first one that asks and then take yourself off the other waitlists.

Don't give up yet but it might not hurt to start preparing for the next cycle, too. You might ask the Deans of admission at the schools where you are waitlisted what you could do to give yourself a little more of an edge.

You are so close. I hope it works out for you.

 

[Obedeli]

I was in your same boat... 5 years ago! I did not make it in my first attempt. I too took the August MCAT which pushed my interview to later in the season. Chill out, reapply, and send in your application on the first day you can. Find employment in a lab of some kind in the meantime. If you want a shortcut because you can't wait then by all means, go to the carrib. It would be wise for you to see their match lists and the match statistics for american FMG before you make that decesion. BTW 49% went unmatched in 2004.


5 waitlists are great odds!

 

[tigress]

I was in your same boat... 5 years ago! I did not make it in my first attempt. I too took the August MCAT which pushed my interview to later in the season. Chill out, reapply, and send in your application on the first day you can. Find employment in a lab of some kind in the meantime. If you want a shortcut because you can't wait then by all means, go to the carrib. It would be wise for you to see their match lists and the match statistics for american FMG before you make that decesion. BTW 49% went unmatched in 2004.


5 waitlists are great odds!

He didn't say anything about the Caribbean. Sackler is in Israel and they do clinical rotations in the New York region.

If you're worried about getting into a competitive speciality, I'd suggest waiting to see if you get in and then re-applying if not. Remember, people get in off the waitlists up to the week before school starts! And like Obedeli said, 5 waitlists means you have a good chance of getting in somewhere. And since you have so many waitlists you must be a good enough candidate to admit, so re-applying next year after a year working in a lab or something like that would probably (hopefully) do the trick.

(Sackler is a great school (I have a friend there), but if you're interested in the competitive specialities in the US you might not want to risk it)

 

[Obedeli]

He didn't say anything about the Caribbean. Sackler is in Israel and they do clinical rotations in the New York region.

If you're worried about getting into a competitive speciality, I'd suggest waiting to see if you get in and then re-applying if not. Remember, people get in off the waitlists up to the week before school starts! And like Obedeli said, 5 waitlists means you have a good chance of getting in somewhere. And since you have so many waitlists you must be a good enough candidate to admit, so re-applying next year after a year working in a lab or something like that would probably (hopefully) do the trick.

(Sackler is a great school (I have a friend there), but if you're interested in the competitive specialities in the US you might not want to risk it)

Oh, I'm sorry.

 

[wareagle]

I have 5 waitlists and have to hear back from another, but I really am scared of the outcome. I applied early, but I took my 2nd MCAT on the august of the application cycle. I was contemplating applying to Sackler, but I am quite afraid that I won't be able to make it back in the US as a specialist. Do you think i will have more success if i just apply the next cycle with a new ps and the same stuff i had in my last application?

You can do a lot to improve your chances for next year without doing a postbacc. Apply early, do a ton of mock interviews with the same questions they asked you this year, and you've got a great shot at it. Since you are in pre-allo I assume those waitlists are allopathic, apply to DO schools. They'll give you a much better chance at a good residency than as a FMG.

 

[hopefulM.D.]

do u guys think that taking the mcat in aug screwed me over?

 

[tigress]

do u guys think that taking the mcat in aug screwed me over?

Probably. That's what happened to my husband. He had a 3.6/36 and pretty good ECs, but didn't get in anywhere his first try because he applied too late. And he took the August MCAT. Sure, people do get in after taking it in August, but it makes it harder, especially if there is anything on your ap that might hurt you some (like my husband has trouble interviewing).

 

[criminallyinane]

do u guys think that taking the mcat in aug screwed me over?

We would need to know your stats to answer that question. If your stats are good-to-great, then it was a matter of timing. If they are weak-to-good, then it could be something other than the late MCAT.

 

[hopefulM.D.]

30 (10-10-10) and a 3.62

 

[LizzyM]

I'd guess that the August MCAT hurt you. The school ran out of offer letters before they got to you but you are good enough to be on the waitlist. You are getting good advice here. Good luck!

 

[kc123]

I would try like crazy to get off of one of those waitlists....write some really good letters (if the waitlists are unranked), call schools periodically to find out what your status is.....be persistent, and hope for the best! The odds are in your favor....I'd hold off a little bit to submit your AMCAS (have it ready to go, but hold off a few weeks to see how the waitlists turn out), unless you just want to spend $500 or so just to get the primary application in.....and then you can make another decision about the secondaries (maybe you will get in before they are due...) Good luck and let us know what happens! Do you have any idea where you stand on any of these waitlists?