2009-2010 Stanford Application Thread

[mdeast]

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So does Stanford reject post-interview? It sounds like it doesn't...

I will certainly not be shy to let anyone know if I get rejected instead of waitlisted. I think it's possible this has happened to people already but not been posted.

Although, to me... it makes little sense to reject an interviewed candidate unless they are a horrible fit for the institution and the committee absolutely doesn't want them to come (i.e. you completely bomb your interview, or some facts on your application seem iffy on their truth). They've already committed enough time to you and liked you enough to get you to that point. While Stanford probably does not have a hard time filling their class, it still interviews less than 500 students (and given stiff competition from it's peer institutions, UCSF, Penn, Harvard, Columbia, JHU, etc.), every school is at benefit to keep a large waitlist in case people drop out.

 

[bobsmith]

I will certainly not be shy to let anyone know if I get rejected instead of waitlisted. I think it's possible this has happened to people already but not been posted.

Although, to me... it makes little sense to reject an interviewed candidate unless they are a horrible fit for the institution and the committee absolutely doesn't want them to come (i.e. you completely bomb your interview, or some facts on your application seem iffy on their truth). They've already committed enough time to you and liked you enough to get you to that point. While Stanford probably does not have a hard time filling their class, it still interviews less than 500 students (and given stiff competition from it's peer institutions, UCSF, Penn, Harvard, Columbia, JHU, etc.), every school is at benefit to keep a large waitlist in case people drop out.

Yeah, but if they, for example, look at past years' stats and see that they've never taken more than 50 people off the waitlist, they may think it's sort of silly to waitlist over 100 people.

I'd say my odds of rejection/waitlist are about 50/50. I suppose we'll see in the next week or so

 

[mdeast]

Yeah, but if they, for example, look at past years' stats and see that they've never taken more than 50 people off the waitlist, they may think it's sort of silly to waitlist over 100 people.

I'd say my odds of rejection/waitlist are about 50/50

Eh, I'd disagree. Not all the waitlisted people will stay on the waitlist. Many will have gotten acceptances at other top institutions and withdraw. There's a lot of overlap with interviewees at Stanford with other top institutions that may pick them away. Or, alternatively, all students will matriculate at another institution (higher priority than Stanford or or not) and decide not to accept a waitlist acceptance due to the sheer fact that they may hear back too late....and may have already made plans for housing, etc, moved on past the stage of med school admissions mentally.

Coming off a waitlist mid-summer is tough for anyone...it's hard to change plans so quickly. What if you leased an apartment? Started making friends with your future classmates after re-visit weekend? It's a sometimes a tough sell to get waitlisted students to change their mind late in the game, especially if they're accepted at comparable institutions. I know, personally, this is something I've though about should I be in that situation with any school I really want to go to.

 

[guyski79]

I see Stanford has sent some pre-interview rejections.

I've been complete since August and haven't heard anything either way.

I wish I knew what that means... 😕

 

[bobsmith]

Eh, I'd disagree. Not all the waitlisted people will stay on the waitlist. Many will have gotten acceptances at other top institutions and withdraw. There's a lot of overlap with interviewees at Stanford with other top institutions that may pick them away. Or, alternatively, all students will matriculate at another institution (higher priority than Stanford or or not) and decide not to accept a waitlist acceptance due to the sheer fact that they may hear back too late....and may have already made plans for housing, etc, moved on past the stage of med school admissions mentally.

Coming off a waitlist mid-summer is tough for anyone...it's hard to change plans so quickly. What if you leased an apartment? Started making friends with your future classmates after re-visit weekend? It's a sometimes a tough sell to get waitlisted students to change their mind late in the game, especially if they're accepted at comparable institutions. I know, personally, this is something I've though about should I be in that situation with any school I really want to go to.

Fair enough, these are good points. I suppose there's really no disincentive for them to keep extra people on the waitlist, just in case

But maybe I'm just preparing for/justifying a potential rejection in the coming week 😛

 

[JonnyD33]

I see Stanford has sent some pre-interview rejections.

I've been complete since August and haven't heard anything either way.

I wish I knew what that means... 😕

I'm right there with you... It's driving me a bit crazy!

 

[FutureScaresMe]

I see Stanford has sent some pre-interview rejections.

I've been complete since August and haven't heard anything either way.

I wish I knew what that means... 😕

Same. Hopefully it means something good. I'm dying to send them updates of letters, publications, etc. I hate how I can't here.

 

[OneMCATAway]

I see Stanford has sent some pre-interview rejections.

I've been complete since August and haven't heard anything either way.

I wish I knew what that means... 😕

I'm right there with you... It's driving me a bit crazy!

Same. Hopefully it means something good. I'm dying to send them updates of letters, publications, etc. I hate how I can't here.

right there with you guys, I also would love to send them updates do you think they would take it if it comes from someone else?!

 

[OneMCATAway]

i hope no news means good news here

 

[mdeast]

right there with you guys, I also would love to send them updates do you think they would take it if it comes from someone else?!

I think Stanford is pretty set on the no pre-interview updates and would prefer you just pay close attention to the status update site rather than contact them directly. They state is specifically and I think it's best to respect directions.

On my interview day, there was a student (either someone visiting the area or a Stanford undergrad) who hadn't been invited for interview and literally showed up in the office to ask for an update on her application. The admissions staff was nice, but I got the sense later once she left that they were slightly annoyed by it lol. Although, I admit, it was a ballsy move and I was impressed she had the confidence to do that.

 

[JonnyD33]

I think Stanford is pretty set on the no pre-interview updates and would prefer you just pay close attention to the status update site rather than contact them directly. They state is specifically and I think it's best to respect directions.

On my interview day, there was a student (either someone visiting the area or a Stanford undergrad) who hadn't been invited for interview and literally showed up in the office to ask for an update on her application. The admissions staff was nice, but I got the sense later once she left that they were slightly annoyed by it lol. Although, I admit, it was a ballsy move and I was impressed she had the confidence to do that.

Haha bold move indeed!

 

[ApoK]

I think Stanford is pretty set on the no pre-interview updates and would prefer you just pay close attention to the status update site rather than contact them directly. They state is specifically and I think it's best to respect directions.

On my interview day, there was a student (either someone visiting the area or a Stanford undergrad) who hadn't been invited for interview and literally showed up in the office to ask for an update on her application. The admissions staff was nice, but I got the sense later once she left that they were slightly annoyed by it lol. Although, I admit, it was a ballsy move and I was impressed she had the confidence to do that.

Bold, but is there really any downside? We're approaching the end of the cycle. She's probably just trying to influence it however she can. Well, best of luck mdeast. Hopefully, you'll get in here or Penn (even better!).

 

[docforsure]

Went to undergrad here. No love yet but I'm hoping no news is good news.

 

[mdeast]

Bold, but is there really any downside? We're approaching the end of the cycle. She's probably just trying to influence it however she can. Well, best of luck mdeast. Hopefully, you'll get in here or Penn (even better!).

Mmmmm Penn. Good luck as well. Stanford, Penn, and Columbia are my top choices. Although, there's still a special place in my heart for Sinai which I may just end up going to anyway.

 

[questions99]

i was complete oct 1st, still no rejection, but i dont think they're gone to that far yet 🙁, this is by far my top choice, i sent them an in the area e-mail cuz im coming for UCSF, but they never responded...

 

[masturhu]

i was complete oct 1st, still no rejection, but i dont think they're gone to that far yet 🙁, this is by far my top choice, i sent them an in the area e-mail cuz im coming for UCSF, but they never responded...

I am in the same boat without the in the area e-mail. I wish I new where I stood. A more transparent and fast process would be helpful.

 

[s2thindi]

i hope no news means good news here

👍

 

[Purkinje123]

They are still giving out interview invites.

I was complete 10/14.

Dates still left: March 18-April 6.

Good luck to everyone still waiting!

 

[mdeast]

They are still giving out interview invites.

I was complete 10/14.

Dates still left: March 18-April 6.

Good luck to everyone still waiting!

Yeah...looks like interviews stop the 6th. Second look weekend starts the 7th, so it makes sense. Still waiting for my waitlist letter.....

 

[oze]

holy balls - interview invite. bigger adrenaline rush than when I got into my first school.

 

[kierkegaard]

I've been complete since mid-Aug with no rejection so far, anyone have an estimate for the size of the pool they are deciding among for those last interview spots?

 

[guyski79]

I've been complete since mid-Aug with no rejection so far, anyone have an estimate for the size of the pool they are deciding among for those last interview spots?

I wish I knew this as well.

Like you, I've been waiting since mid-August.

 

[panda25]

I wish I knew this as well.

Like you, I've been waiting since mid-August.

I wonder if they're just doing the rejections in alphabetical order!! I hope not b/c I'm towards the end of the alphabet.

But just a thought since they seem to have been consistently mailing out rejections since early February, at least based on mdapps.

 

[JonnyD33]

I wonder if they're just doing the rejections in alphabetical order!! I hope not b/c I'm towards the end of the alphabet.

But just a thought since they seem to have been consistently mailing out rejections since early February, at least based on mdapps.

They are definitely not going by alphabetical order since I'm towards the beginning and still have yet to hear a word. I've coming to terms that trying to figure out a rhyme or reason to how these rejections are coming out is futile.

 

[panda25]

They are definitely not going by alphabetical order since I'm towards the beginning and still have yet to hear a word. I've coming to terms that trying to figure out a rhyme or reason to how these rejections are coming out is futile.

haha okay, good to know. and you're right...speculation is so futile, but every once in a while, i cave in to the urge to theorize!

 

[JonnyD33]

haha okay, good to know. and you're right...speculation is so futile, but every once in a while, i cave in to the urge to theorize!

Haha.. maybe they are rejecting those with odd number birthdays and/or born in a month ending in y.

 

[s2thindi]

They are still giving out interview invites.

I was complete 10/14.

Dates still left: March 18-April 6.

Good luck to everyone still waiting!

holy balls - interview invite. bigger adrenaline rush than when I got into my first school.

Congrats to both of you. I was complete on the 10/13
What kind of stats did you guys have?
Oze, when where you complete?

 

[oze]

Congrats to both of you. I was complete on the 10/13
What kind of stats did you guys have?
Oze, when where you complete?

Stats = not Stanford worthy IMHO hahaha

Complete in early October, but at this point I don't think it matters b/c everyone has probably been reviewed at least once since then.

 

[FutureScaresMe]

They are still giving out interview invites.

I was complete 10/14.

Dates still left: March 18-April 6.

Good luck to everyone still waiting!

holy balls - interview invite. bigger adrenaline rush than when I got into my first school.

I'm incredibly jealous of you two right now 😀 But Congrats! I'm about ready to send them an update letter as a last ditch effort. Maybe I'll wait another two weeks and see what happens.

 

[mdeast]

I'm incredibly jealous of you two right now 😀 But Congrats! I'm about ready to send them an update letter as a last ditch effort. Maybe I'll wait another two weeks and see what happens.

No pre-interview updates. So don't worry about it too much. What happens, happens

 

[doctorno]

Stats = not Stanford worthy IMHO hahaha

Complete in early October, but at this point I don't think it matters b/c everyone has probably been reviewed at least once since then.

Do stats really matter? They may contribute for the secondaries, however I firmly believe, after interview stats do not mean much, Correct me if I am wrong!!!!!

 

[mdeast]

Waitlisted 🙁 Says it doesn't move til June.

 

[bobsmith]

Waitlisted 🙁 Says it doesn't move til June.

🙁 bummer, man. Although I think people on last year's thread were saying the letter was pessimistic too and some of them heard in May, so who knows?

You're on the east coast, right? I wonder why I haven't gotten anything on the west coast yet...

Maybe rejection letters move slower through the mail

edit: i suppose it's sort of dumb to ask someone named "mdeast" if they're on the east coast.

 

[mdeast]

🙁 bummer, man. Although I think people on last year's thread were saying the letter was pessimistic too and some of them heard in May, so who knows?

You're on the east coast, right? I wonder why I haven't gotten mine yet on the west coast...

Maybe rejection letters move slower through the mail

Yeah, East Coast. Maybe you haven't been evaluated yet? Did you interview early or late in the week. My letter was dated last Friday. Yeah, the letter is sort of pessimistic and actually, not very friendly at all. They sort of make it sound like they don't want any letters of interest or updates. Kind of like...don't contact us, we'll contact you. I won't post it here, but I'd PM it to you if you'd like.

 

[bobsmith]

Maybe you haven't been evaluated yet? Did you interview early or late in the week. My letter was dated last Friday. Yeah, the letter is sort of pessimistic and actually, not very friendly at all. They sort of make it sound like they don't want any letters of interest or updates. I won't post it here, but I'd PM it to you if you'd like.

Yeah, I don't know. I suppose I'll just sit tight, twiddle my thumbs and wait.

And nah, don't worry about PM'ing it to me. I'll either see it myself soon or it won't be relevant to me 😛

 

[oze]

Do stats really matter? They may contribute for the secondaries, however I firmly believe, after interview stats do not mean much, Correct me if I am wrong!!!!!

It is different at every school - some schools compile everything post-interview and give you a rank based on stats, ECs, interviews and other factors for example - and honestly I have no idea what the policy is at Stanford. Hopefully thats the case though!

 

[Naijaba]

Waitlisted 🙁 Says it doesn't move til June.

I'm sorry! I'll keep my fingers crossed for the both of us in May/June! 👍

 

[carebears]

My tourguide said the admissions committee meets on thursdays, so acceptances could be called out tomorrow? Sweaty fingers crossed nervously! Look for the 650 area code!

 

[LSU Gladiator]

My tourguide said the admissions committee meets on thursdays, so acceptances could be called out tomorrow? Sweaty fingers crossed nervously! Look for the 650 area code!

😱 At my interview last week I was told that the committee had already met for February.

 

[TheFreak]

is it once a month?

 

[carebears]

😱 At my interview last week I was told that the committee had already met for February.

hmm I interviewed last week too. So maybe we will hear in march?

 

[mdeast]

is it once a month?

I think the committee meets more often...especially now towards the end of the season when applicants are hearing from other schools and Stanford needs to give students a quick turnaround time. There were decisions that went out the 12th and 19th this month. And previously, a few weeks before that. They should have given you a date range when you interviewed.

 

[LSU Gladiator]

I think the committee meets more often...especially now towards the end of the season when applicants are hearing from other schools and Stanford needs to give students a quick turnaround time. There were decisions that went out the 12th and 19th this month. And previously, a few weeks before that. They should have given you a date range when you interviewed.

Yeah, we were told to expect about a month before decisions.

 

[s2thindi]

All I want for my birthday is an interview here please (and I'm not going to say no to an acceptance...)

 

[mdeast]

Yeah, we were told to expect about a month before decisions.

I'd expect that to be correct. I was told between 2-4 weeks and I got my waitlist at almost exactly 3 (le sigh 🙁 ). Stanford seems to be on the ball with things...and because your faculty and student interviewers don't have to attend the committee meeting...it means there's definitely a set date when they've decided to meet on your candidacy. If they said about a month, I'd expect you could hear earlier (because they account that if you're rejected/waitlisted that it may take a week or two for you to receive your letter).

Good luck!

 

[bobsmith]

aaaaaaaaaand i'm waitlisted. not sure why it took so long to get to me

 

[Naijaba]

aaaaaaaaaand i'm waitlisted. not sure why it took so long to get to me

You, mdeast and me will rise again!

 

[bobsmith]

You, mdeast and me will rise again!

for sure! but i'm just going to not think about it until june

 

[doctorno]

for sure! but i'm just going to not think about it until june

When did you interview? Any idea, how many students are waitlisted?

 

[bobsmith]

first week of february and i have no idea