The OFFICIAL "How to Get Off a Wait List" Thread

Singing Devil · Apr 6, 2005

Not finding a similar thread (at least not recently), I thought I'd start one. This is for anyone to dispense advice for how to get off a wait list and into your current first choice medical school this spring/summer.

I have found the following link which provides some information:

http://www.bol.ucla.edu/~ericwang/Application/w_list.html

Please post any links and/or information for getting off wait lists (besides a sarcastic "withdraw" comment). Personal stories or anecdotes also accepted. 🙂

:luck:

Singing Devil · Apr 6, 2005

I should add, this will also include how to move from the bottom of a waitlist to the middle or top, which should then effect your removal if it moves pretty rapidly in the summer.

Any advice out there???

Singing Devil · Apr 6, 2005

Some more links which provide wait list advice or info:

http://accepted.typepad.com/admissions_almanac/2005/02/yale_waitlist_p.html
http://www.medschoolsguide.com/process_basics.asp
http://www.medfools.com/premed/admissions.html

If anyone finds out the specifics about a wait list for any specific school (e.g. Yale, above), please post.

i61164 · Apr 6, 2005

Good post. Can I have your seat at Carolina?

Ames980 · Apr 6, 2005

thanks so much for the links 🙂

velo · Apr 6, 2005

I was on a handful of waitlists when I applied, and actually I'm now attending a school that took me off their waitlist. Not to sound sarcastic, but the best way to get off is to wait. The lists will start moving around mid may (15th) when people stop holding multiple acceptances. I also hear that people send a letter of intent to their top choice indicating that they will definitely attend that school if taken off the waitlist. Still, best way to get off is to take a deeeep breath and wait in my opinion

gbiz · Apr 6, 2005

Start a thread on SDN convincing everyone else why that school sucks, eventually theyll need to take you off the waitlist!

😀

Fusion · Apr 6, 2005

Thanks for the links, SD. You the man 👍

burgers · Apr 7, 2005

i dont know if anybody else feels this way but i just cant stand writing these letters of interest. for some reason it pains me and i cant get myself to do it. im on 4 or 5 lists, and i feel like everyone else is writing them, somehting about it makes me extremely nervous, and unrelaxed.

Sparky Man · Apr 7, 2005

burgers said:
i dont know if anybody else feels this way but i just cant stand writing these letters of interest. for some reason it pains me and i cant get myself to do it. im on 4 or 5 lists, and i feel like everyone else is writing them, somehting about it makes me extremely nervous, and unrelaxed.

I know what you mean. Clearly, people on the waitlist want in. We went through all of the hoops, but now it's like you have to justify why you deserve to go to a particular school as some kind of final contest among the waitlisted. Anyway, I don't like it either.

Tristy · Apr 7, 2005

It is ridiculous what we have to do to get in 😡 but I want it bad enough to keep playing the game, oh well... 😳
But anyways, I am on 2 ranked and 1 unranked WL's, and I'm wondering if all the letter-writting would work for the ranked ones, I mean, can they bump you up or is it a futile attempt? I had some mixed messages when I called the schools - they told me to send updates, etc- so I'm kindof confused...
Thanks!

Singing Devil · Apr 8, 2005

Just saw this on another thread, and thought it could go here. You may not be on HMS's waitlist, but it's helpful advice regardless.

elicash said:
For those of you on the HMS waitlist, I spoke with the director of admissions shortly before decisions came out, and she gave me some advice (we had talked on the phone a couple of times and were friendly):

she told me that the ideal waitlist candidate would tell her that HMS is the top choice, and state that they would accept an offer of admission even on the last day before classes. Without such a guarentee, she claimed that its much harder to take the applicant.

She also said that while they don't have an extremely active waitlist, they do take a bunch of people off the waitlist each year. Apparently HMS is not the kind of school that waitlists everyone who interviews--- so those on the waitlist actually have a chance of getting in.

So: if you're on it, and HMS is what you want, don't despair! Good luck. 😳

evendry707 · Apr 8, 2005

what do u write in these letters if you've already written a letter of intent, you gave them examples of why you think their school fits you the best, and you've already told them what you're doing now?

Dr. Donkey · Apr 8, 2005

same situation. you bask in the warm wet stink of unrequited love, and hope that she changes her mind. DON'T be too persistent though; women despise pathetic bastards.

hope for the worst, prepare for the best.

evendry707 said:
what do u write in these letters if you've already written a letter of intent, you gave them examples of why you think their school fits you the best, and you've already told them what you're doing now?

rmm262002 · Apr 9, 2005

One of the residents I work with mentioned that he visited the admissions office where he was waitlisted (across the country from him, 4 hours from his parents), and he got in soon after. May be a coincidence, but it definitely could help if you do it the right way.

SOUNDMAN · Apr 9, 2005

What about where schools rank you? Do you really think you can move up the waitlist after you've been ranked? I'm not sure many students move up the waitlist.

DrSpongebob · Apr 11, 2005

Hey Guys,
I know this is the waitlisted thread but for lack of finding something more similar to were I could post my question, I thought I might ask you all out there.
I am currently not waitlisted anywhere but I am hoping on getting an interview at Howard. (They recently sent out a mass email stating that they are still holding interviews until at late at end of May) Do you think visiting the school and trying to speak with the Dean or anyone in the admissions staff and/or writing a letter or intent would influence them into granting me an interview? 😕
Thanks

Dr. Donkey · Apr 12, 2005

It definitely couldn't hurt and has been done before. The general consensus is that letters of intent/interest aren't all that useful pre-interview (they might boost your chances a little more effectively after the interview), but I think a school like Howard might be very interested in a very motivated student since I doubt their application numbers are huge. Good luck!

DrSpongebob said:
Hey Guys,
I know this is the waitlisted thread but for lack of finding something more similar to were I could post my question, I thought I might ask you all out there.
I am currently not waitlisted anywhere but I am hoping on getting an interview at Howard. (They recently sent out a mass email stating that they are still holding interviews until at late at end of May) Do you think visiting the school and trying to speak with the Dean or anyone in the admissions staff and/or writing a letter or intent would influence them into granting me an interview? 😕
Thanks

DrSpongebob · Apr 13, 2005

Dr. Donkey said:
It definitely couldn't hurt and has been done before. The general consensus is that letters of intent/interest aren't all that useful pre-interview (they might boost your chances a little more effectively after the interview), but I think a school like Howard might be very interested in a very motivated student since I doubt their application numbers are huge. Good luck!

Hey Doc,
SO I sent in my letter of intent/interest yesterday. But I have no idea where to pursue this one now? Still debating on the visit.
However, a friend of my at the school mentioned to me that he tried to talk to the dean about my application and the dean basically said "well it seems like she just wants to go to any med school that will accept her"
Now, how will it be possible for me to get rid of that notion and still get a interview??

Dr. Donkey · Apr 13, 2005

That isn't a very considerate thing of the dean to say, but it leads me to believe that your credentials do not match up to Howard's (I could be wrong, of course, please let me know if so). Unfortunately, if your MCAT and GPA are no where near the average for Howard, your chances of getting an interview are bad. Against what we often want to belive, just wanting to go somewhere really badly doesn't translate into the admissions committees believing you should be there (believe me, I know this to be true).

Basically, in light of the dean's negative remarks and the fact that you haven't even been given an interview, your chances are not so good. In the process, many things are out of the applicants hand, and this may be one of those situations. The only thing you can do is write the dean a thoughtful and sincere letter about why you like Howard IN PARTICULAR (since the dean seems to perceive that you are desperate for ANY school and don't like Howard much in particular).

DrSpongebob said:
Hey Doc,
SO I sent in my letter of intent/interest yesterday. But I have no idea where to pursue this one now? Still debating on the visit.
However, a friend of my at the school mentioned to me that he tried to talk to the dean about my application and the dean basically said "well it seems like she just wants to go to any med school that will accept her"
Now, how will it be possible for me to get rid of that notion and still get a interview??

DrSpongebob · Apr 13, 2005

Dr. Donkey said:
That isn't a very considerate thing of the dean to say, but it leads me to believe that your credentials do not match up to Howard's (I could be wrong, of course, please let me know if so). Unfortunately, if your MCAT and GPA are no where near the average for Howard, your chances of getting an interview are bad. Against what we often want to belive, just wanting to go somewhere really badly doesn't translate into the admissions committees believing you should be there (believe me, I know this to be true).

Basically, in light of the dean's negative remarks and the fact that you haven't even been given an interview, your chances are not so good. In the process, many things are out of the applicants hand, and this may be one of those situations. The only thing you can do is write the dean a thoughtful and sincere letter about why you like Howard IN PARTICULAR (since the dean seems to perceive that you are desperate for ANY school and don't like Howard much in particular).

Hey Doc,
Well my gpa is quite low (2.7) Yes, by some measures people will say i dont deserve to be in med school. But given the circustances and what not my mcats were above average for Howard by 2 points. (27, though way below average for other top teir schools) I feel that I might be realistic and hoping for an interview with Howard. But I think you may be right about the fact that this may be out of my hands and of now since it is mid April already. I did write a letter of interest/intent and I emailed it to the dean. It was about a page and a half. I just read other threads on here about people being persistant and being able to get interviews and then acceptances and I thought I might be able to have that work in my favor. Which is why i was considering visiting the school personally. But I am getting mixed messages about that idea and I am not sure when it becomes too obsessive.

The OFFICIAL "How to Get Off a Wait List" Thread

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