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deleted1038378
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You can still re-apply after having been accepted to a program, but it will bring unwanted attention to your application. So if you truly would rather be rejected than accepted to these two programs, then withdraw from them now.
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This^^^^^.
A WL is not "viewed" at all, since it isn't an A, so you have nothing to worry about with respect to red flags. If you really would never go to those schools based on your negative feelings, you are much better off withdrawing before you possibly receive an A, since you won't be attending if you do receive an A. By not withdrawing, you have nothing to gain, and everything to lose if you end up applying in a future cycle and have to explain why you didn't accept an A. Just my 2 cents.
As someone mentioned.. do you want to be a doctor or not. There isn't any guarantee that you're more apt for a better season next cycle vs this one if you were to gain acceptance to any of the programs at some point. It's honestly a gamble with your career to dismiss jumping over one of the largest hurdles to getting into said career just because of some "negative feelings". Unless the schools has a reputation for failing out students, lack of resources with evidence for barred success, institutional red flags, etc. when you're a beggar, you can't be choosey and not liking a program as much as another one isn't a luxury when you're in the 1 A boat.
Like above poster mentioned, really reflect on what you're suggesting to do and what your actual priorities are.
Like above poster mentioned, really reflect on what you're suggesting to do and what your actual priorities are.
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Med schools do NOT have the ability to see if you're on wait lists, nor do apps ask about them
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deleted994889
I'm in the camp of staying on the WL at said schools while preparing to re-apply (when you're sure your app and your school list is much stronger). Take some serious reflection time to think about why you don't like those schools. Because if you get an A from them this cycle, there is no guarantee you'll get another anywhere. In fact, the odds are actually stacked heavily against you. An acceptance in hand is worth ten in the bush.
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deleted994889
Are you comfortable sharing your reasons? Maybe some internet counseling might help 🙂
Your app is already darn solid, and the six IIs reflect that. With 4 WLs, I'd be surprised if you don't get 1 acceptance. But if you have to reapply, perhaps you should look into your interviewing skills; your paper app is strong enough to generate plenty of IIs.
With the added hours, your re-application looks great (not that it wasn't already). But as gonnif likes to say, this is an Olympic competition where everyone is the top-flight: sometimes you do everything right and you still don't get a medal. Roughly 11% of LM85ers don't get a single acceptance. Just know that if you decide to withdraw and spend another year and big dollars.
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So what will the regret feel like if you cast off your potential WL>A and then do not get an A the next cycle? Which regret is worse?
There is no one app with certain stats or ECs that guarantees an acceptance.
Your “fear of not getting in again” is very real and very valid, considering only 40% apps/year get in. I cannot tell you how that number shifts in the unfavorable direction for re-apps. Good luck.
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If you got that many interviews, it isn't something on paper that is holding you back, IMHO.
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I like to use the staircase analogy. Imagine a wide staircase with room on each step for many people. After your application is review, you are placed of a step. Those closest to the top get in the door for an interview. Before the interview, those slated for interview are again on a broad staircase based on a rating of the written application. After interview, you might be repositioned on the steps with someone at the bottom relative to other interviewed applicants going up several steps to reach a step that guarantees an offer of admission and some others may be sent down from the top step to the bottom (no offer, no way). Many just stay where they were based on the original review. Now we start admitting from the top step and go down until we've admitted x% of the interviewed candiates. Another proportion are waitlisted and the remainder are denied admission or waitlist status.
We don't review the entire appllication again but if something the applicant said at interview raises a question, we might selectively look at the application again to see if we missed or misinterpreted something.
Do keep in mind, too, that applicants are poor assessors of their own interview performance.
You got 4 interviews with what was by your account a very standard application which isn't bad at all, so I doubt the issue was with that or your narrative presentation. Most likely interview
I'll be honest in that I wasn't absolutely thrilled with the interviews and acceptances I received - I had an interesting app too! But I am pretty damn satisfied with my program in the end.
It might be wise to stay on the waitlist. If you get in and adjust to med school and make some good friends, the downsides may matter less.
You're missing their point lol.. 30 hours of shadowing is fine. It's perhaps slightly below average but still fairly average. If you're a bit below average in many other regards too, then yes, it's an issue, but it alone hasn't hurt you significantly. By all means improve your application so you improve your chances, but my impression is that the app isn't a serious issue