2018-2019 Waitlist Support Thread

[OchemOficionado]

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^ This. Adcoms on this board have repeatedly ad nauseum said that schools don't look to pick those with 0 acceptances off their waitlists. The one exception to this being filling those surprise late July / early august vacancies, which in the case anyone with acceptance will have already CTE.

Except not all schools require CTE this cycle.

So, what applicants should and shouldn’t do re PTE and CTE isn’t black and white yet, unless stated by their schools. And most schools only care about CTE. That’s why I think people are overthinking it, but the simple answer is if your school doesn’t require it, do what you think is best as it won’t hurt you.

But AFAIK, schools will only see if you have selected PTE or CTE after April 30, right? If you don't select either of those, even if you have an acceptance, your other schools won't get any info. So it may not be immediately obvious that you have no acceptances if you don't offer that information.

That’s correct about what they see until after 4/30. I think if you’re accepted and don’t use the tool you will either not show up on the list, or will show up with no PTE/CTE selection. I guess nobody knows exactly what it will be like until 5/1. The newness and uncertainty of it all is what makes me doubt that students will be viewed as unethical for not participating in the non required part of the tool.

 

[cricoidcommander]

Does anyone have any thoughts about when to send an update letter/LOI? Should I send it before or after april 30th?

 

[RainAngel]

6 days !

 

[teenyfish]

Does anyone have any thoughts about when to send an update letter/LOI? Should I send it before or after april 30th?

I would send one within the next week or so!.

 

[golgi body]

6 days !

6 days until never ending anxiety and disappointment

 

[RainAngel]

6 days until never ending anxiety and disappointment

Good point. The worst part is that idk if I should start reapplying. I don't want to spend a whole bunch of time and money reapplying if I'm going to get off the waitlist. But I don't want to keep my hopes up too long for the wait list and apply late next cycle, decreasing my chances for interviews.

 

[wysdoc]

I am going to to quote @gonnif from the thread New Traffic Rules:
"I warn all students, do not screw around the April 30th requirement. Schools are slightly paranoid this cycle making sure every seat is filled as the centralized National Acceptance reports has been discontinued . Every school reserves the right to rescind your acceptance by 1) holding more than 1 acceptance after April 30 via PTE (you can still hold waitlists) and 2) their required Commit to Enroll date usually 21-30 prior to orientation. (you must drop all WL). If they rescind your acceptance because you did not know and/or not follow their policy, you would have no legal recourse."

So everyone: If you have an acceptance or more on AMCAS, use the CYMS tool if your school requires it, or don't use the tool if you are stubborn.
But DON'T BE A TOOL, and DON'T BE A FOOL.

Whether you use the CYMS tool or not, you MUST toss back (withdraw from) all your extra acceptances by April 30, leaving yourself with your ONE best choice using your available information.

 

[golgi body]

Good point. The worst part is that idk if I should start reapplying. I don't want to spend a whole bunch of time and money reapplying if I'm going to get off the waitlist. But I don't want to keep my hopes up too long for the wait list and apply late next cycle, decreasing my chances for interviews.

As someone who was on only waitlists last cycle AND this cycle, id say don’t depend on the WL. go ahead and start getting ready. I’ve already completely thrown out my PS and made new drafts.

 

[pokemon9264]

Question for re-app preparation, is it okay to re-use Letters of Recommendations from the previous application cycle? I used interfolio and can easily reuse them however is it best to ask my letter writers to update the letter (such as the date)? What are your thoughts?

 

[RainAngel]

As someone who was on only waitlists last cycle AND this cycle, id say don’t depend on the WL. go ahead and start getting ready. I’ve already completely thrown out my PS and made new drafts.

Tanks for the advice. I made a school list for 2019/2020 already. I think I'll start preparing now but ill wait till mid or late May to ask my recommenders to resubmit letters of rec and to start pre-writing secondaries. I'm still broke from this cycle so I'll have to submit secondaries in batches as I get paychecks anyhow.

 

[OchemOficionado]

Question for re-app preparation, is it okay to re-use Letters of Recommendations from the previous application cycle? I used interfolio and can easily reuse them however is it best to ask my letter writers to update the letter (such as the date)? What are your thoughts?

I reused mine, although they were only sent to a few schools the first time I applied. I've heard differing opinions, but I figured mine were not that old and I went with it and it never came up.

 

[pokemon9264]

I reused mine, although they were only sent to a few schools the first time I applied. I've heard differing opinions, but I figured mine were not that old and I went with it and it never came up.

Thank you. I feel the same way... I kind of don't want to bother my letters writers, although I know they'll be more than happy to update it. At best, I would like to get in this cycle and not worry about it...

 

[MomJeansandDadJorts]

Im on 4 WL right now and looking to write a LOI to one of them. 2 are IS state schools where one made offers to only 7% of people on the WL and the other you are ranked and nothing will change your position. The other 2 are OOS where 1 is unranked WL and nobody is 100% sure about the other but they think it may be tentatively ranked. Im torn between the 2 schools but I think Im leaning towards the ranked WL OOS school but a LOI to the unranked school may be more influential. Anybody have any input?

 

[deleted966008]

Im on 4 WL right now and looking to write a LOI to one of them. 2 are IS state schools where one made offers to only 7% of people on the WL and the other you are ranked and nothing will change your position. The other 2 are OOS where 1 is unranked WL and nobody is 100% sure about the other but they think it may be tentatively ranked. Im torn between the 2 schools but I think Im leaning towards the ranked WL OOS school but a LOI to the unranked school may be more influential. Anybody have any input?

Don’t write an LOI to a strictly ranked school because, by definition, it won’t do anything. Try the state school in my opinion

 

[RainAngel]

Im on 4 WL right now and looking to write a LOI to one of them. 2 are IS state schools where one made offers to only 7% of people on the WL and the other you are ranked and nothing will change your position. The other 2 are OOS where 1 is unranked WL and nobody is 100% sure about the other but they think it may be tentatively ranked. Im torn between the 2 schools but I think Im leaning towards the ranked WL OOS school but a LOI to the unranked school may be more influential. Anybody have any input?

I would go on the school specific threads for last year for the unranked IS and the 2 OOS schools and see what other people who made it off the waitlist last year did. In my opinion, It can't hurt to send one if the school is receptive to them.

 

[MomJeansandDadJorts]

I would go on the school specific threads for last year for the unranked IS and the 2 OOS schools and see what other people who made it off the waitlist last year did. In my opinion, It can't hurt to send one if the school is receptive to them.

I know the one OOS is receptive to them. The unranked IS doesnt seem to be. And the "ranked" OOS is probably my top choice but idk how influential the LOI would be. The ranked IS school I have a very good chance of getting off the WL but I dont think I would take it over my current acceptance

 

[cricoidcommander]

The school I'm waitlisted at I'm told has a ranked waitlist but the admissions advisor told me I can send updates and he will pass them along to the committee. So im just wondering why they would accept updates if the waitlist is ranked?

 

[wysdoc]

The school I'm waitlisted at I'm told has a ranked waitlist but the admissions advisor told me I can send updates and he will pass them along to the committee. So im just wondering why they would accept updates if the waitlist is ranked?

Maybe depending on what you have to say they might change your rank order? If they accept updates go for it.

 

[Excavate]

Holy guacamole, April 30th is around the corner. I hope this thread explodes with people sharing acceptances

 

[futuredoc0307]

Did anyone else submit LOI/update back early in the cycle? I submitted mine in October and now I’m left with nothing to send in lol

 

[M&L]

Did anyone else submit LOI/update back early in the cycle? I submitted mine in October and now I’m left with nothing to send in lol

You know , I did the same , and then sent another one to the same school to reconfirm that they are top of my list .

 

[MomJeansandDadJorts]

Did anyone else submit LOI/update back early in the cycle? I submitted mine in October and now I’m left with nothing to send in lol

Intent or interest? You can send multiple interest and multiple intent to the same school (dont be the dude who sends intent to every school)

 

[M&L]

Intent or interest? You can send multiple interest and multiple intent to the same school (dont be the dude who sends intent to every school)

Yeah , especially if they are so far apart !!! You can definitely resend it

 

[MomJeansandDadJorts]

Yeah , especially if they are so far apart !!! You can definitely resend it

Ive only sent interest letters to my WL schools but 1 at havent sent anything since January and the other was like 2 weeks ago (interviewed like 3 weeks ago). Def due for some updates

 

[NakMuay33]

I feel lucky that the WL school I want specifically told us to not send anything until they ask for it. Saves a lot of grief for us applicants in deciding what to send and when.

 

[OchemOficionado]

I feel lucky that the WL school I want specifically told us to not send anything until they ask for it. Saves a lot of grief for us applicants in deciding what to send and when.

Agreed.

I also feel like I've been incredibly lucky this cycle and I got everything (more than what) I've asked for. So, it kinda feels wrong for me to send anything to try to nudge myself off a WL when I'm already beyond blessed. My family is telling me I am thinking about it wrong though so we'll see if I end up sending a LOI.

 

[NakMuay33]

Agreed.

I also feel like I've been incredibly lucky this cycle and I got everything (more than what) I've asked for. So, it kinda feels wrong for me to send anything to try to nudge myself off a WL when I'm already beyond blessed. My family is telling me I am thinking about it wrong though so we'll see if I end up sending a LOI.

My personal opinion is that if you have updates to provide and they ask for them and/or if you truly do intend to go to that school out of all others if they accept, there is nothing bad about reaching out. Ultimately, you should not feel bad about advocating for yourself. Now if you’re sending these letters in order to collect more acceptances/feed your ego, that’s a problem, but from your post that is quite the opposite of your intentions.

 

[futuredoc0307]

Intent or interest? You can send multiple interest and multiple intent to the same school (dont be the dude who sends intent to every school)

Are you sure about this? I sent a letter of intent back in October but I feel like resending this (reworded of course) would be unnecessary and a little extra assuming they have that stuff on record. However, my WL school will be sending out surveys beginning of May asking if we are still interested.

 

[OchemOficionado]

My personal opinion is that if you have updates to provide and they ask for them and/or if you truly do intend to go to that school out of all others if they accept, there is nothing bad about reaching out. Ultimately, you should not feel bad about advocating for yourself. Now if you’re sending these letters in order to collect more acceptances/feed your ego, that’s a problem, but from your post that is quite the opposite of your intentions.

Thanks! One of my WL has asked for an update. I don't have one, but I would choose it over my accepts without a doubt.

 

[Princess Pre-Med]

Currently WL at two OOS and it gives me anxiety to just know I could be packing up and moving to another state in a few months. Anybody else feeling bittersweet/anxious?

 

[965978]

Agreed.

I also feel like I've been incredibly lucky this cycle and I got everything (more than what) I've asked for. So, it kinda feels wrong for me to send anything to try to nudge myself off a WL when I'm already beyond blessed. My family is telling me I am thinking about it wrong though so we'll see if I end up sending a LOI.

Your attitude is admirable.

But in my opinion, I don’t think it would be morally “wrong” for you to send an LOI. You’re just trying to reach out to what you believe it better suited for you. And most importantly, your intentions and actions are honest and genuine. As long as you have that, it’s up to the lord to decide whether or not getting off a WL for a certain school is meant for you 🙂

It’s funny because my family has taught me the mentality that limiting myself is an insult to God because it’s my job to try my hardest to seek opportunities and dreams and God’s is the only one with the authority to shut the door if it’s not meant to be.

Btw I’m not trying to question your beliefs or tell you what to do. I was simply sharing the values I grew up with 🙂

 

[M&L]

Currently WL at two OOS and it gives me anxiety to just know I could be packing up and moving to another state in a few months. Anybody else feeling bittersweet/anxious?

Yeah I think the worst part is not knowing ...

 

[M&L]

just a few more days, everyone! stay strong.

and FIGHT!!!!

 

[OchemOficionado]

just a few more days, everyone! stay strong.

and FIGHT!!!!

I’m telling myself I won’t hear until late May or June to be safe. Imagine I set my heart on 6 days from now and hear nothing 🙁 would be so disappointed.

 

[yeetbelikethat]

How long should i realistically wait after sending a LOI before sending another? They’ll be about different things but i also don’t want to spam the adcom

 

[MomJeansandDadJorts]

Got an email from one of my top choice WL with a survey asking our interest in the school. The first option is that they are the top choice and I will absolutely attend. Think it’s a good idea to follow up with a LOI if I put them as my top?

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

@OchemOficionado
I agree with the above. You have been blessed with acceptances, but that doesn't mean you can't still pray and do whatever you can to get into your top choice. As long as you keep the attitude you have, there's nothing wrong with that. If you're really not supposed to go there, you won't get in (or something obvious will happen that prevents you from going there).

So go for it!

 

[bobbitybob]

It’s funny because my family has taught me the mentality that limiting myself is an insult to God because it’s my job to try my hardest to seek opportunities and dreams and God’s is the only one with the authority to shut the door if it’s not meant to be.

I LOVE THIS!

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

Your attitude is admirable.

But in my opinion, I don’t think it would be morally “wrong” for you to send an LOI. You’re just trying to reach out to what you believe it better suited for you. And most importantly, your intentions and actions are honest and genuine. As long as you have that, it’s up to the lord to decide whether or not getting off a WL for a certain school is meant for you 🙂

It’s funny because my family has taught me the mentality that limiting myself is an insult to God because it’s my job to try my hardest to seek opportunities and dreams and God’s is the only one with the authority to shut the door if it’s not meant to be.

Btw I’m not trying to question your beliefs or tell you what to do. I was simply sharing the values I grew up with 🙂

Amen!

 

[Hirro]

Agreed.

I also feel like I've been incredibly lucky this cycle and I got everything (more than what) I've asked for. So, it kinda feels wrong for me to send anything to try to nudge myself off a WL when I'm already beyond blessed. My family is telling me I am thinking about it wrong though so we'll see if I end up sending a LOI.

Hey, I've also had this same mindset for as long as I can remember. Definitely just remember that part of making things better for yourself is the hustle. And I don't mean doing whatever it takes no matter the means but rather just taking the opportunities given to you. You can be thankful of your life and still value yourself enough to take advantage of anything that comes your way. Don't hold yourself back and don't let "what ifs" become future regrets.

 

[ReturnToMed]

Does the longer you have been on a waitlist at school that takes people off of the waitlist throughout the year indicate the probability of being taken off of the waitlist?

 

[sherm123]

Does the longer you have been on a waitlist at school that takes people off of the waitlist throughout the year indicate the probability of being taken off of the waitlist?

I don't think you can draw any conclusions from that. It really depends on how the school makes waitlist decisions, the applicant pool, the number of spots that eventually open up, etc. Just way too many variables here.

 

[NerdTheRaging]

On the MSAR for the waitlist information, does it show data for only accepted or matriculated students? So for example, if it says 30 people were taken off the waitlist, does that mean 30 people on the waitlist were offered and accepted or were only 30 acceptances offered in total to those on the waitlist?

 

[NakMuay33]

On the MSAR for the waitlist information, does it show data for only accepted or matriculated students? So for example, if it says 30 people were taken off the waitlist, does that mean 30 people on the waitlist were offered and accepted or were only 30 acceptances offered in total to those on the waitlist?

Oh that is such a good question! I never thought of that!!

 

[OchemOficionado]

On the MSAR for the waitlist information, does it show data for only accepted or matriculated students? So for example, if it says 30 people were taken off the waitlist, does that mean 30 people on the waitlist were offered and accepted or were only 30 acceptances offered in total to those on the waitlist?

Good question! You'd probably have to ask the school.

 

[thissuckslol]

On the MSAR for the waitlist information, does it show data for only accepted or matriculated students? So for example, if it says 30 people were taken off the waitlist, does that mean 30 people on the waitlist were offered and accepted or were only 30 acceptances offered in total to those on the waitlist?

it would make more sense for it to be the number accepted off the waitlist who took the offer. At least the number of acceptances offered in total does include those offered on the waitlist so that should help at least when looking at post-II acceptance.

 

[coffeeandteadoctor]

Do you have a better chance if you are waitlisted at a state school?

 

[NerdTheRaging]

it would make more sense for it to be the number accepted off the waitlist who took the offer. At least the number of acceptances offered in total does include those offered on the waitlist so that should help at least when looking at post-II acceptance.

Sorry my MSAR expired, does it now show the total number of acceptances offered?

 

[OchemOficionado]

Sorry my MSAR expired, does it now show the total number of acceptances offered?

It does not. It shows the number of students that matriculated.

EDIT: re the WL, some show "number of acceptance offers granted to applicants on the WL"

 

[coffeeandteadoctor]

Sorry my MSAR expired, does it now show the total number of acceptances offered?

haha in the same boat and very annoyed that cannot check stuff regarding the WL anymore!!