2020-2021 Waitlist Support Thread

Discover Your Odds of Getting into Medical School
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Need to vent a little today:

I'm having a really rough week. My childhood pet was put down this week before I had time to drive home from work to say goodbye. It just has me thinking about all the time I put into apps and work, and I really wish I slowed down a little to appreciate what I have/had. Exactly a month from the day that he died, I will be getting married. Between waiting for the waitlist movement, all this COVID wedding stress, and now losing my little buddy after 17 years of having him to help me through all the hardest times in my life...it's been a rough one.

I'm ok, and I'll be sure to take care of myself. But please take a moment to hug your good boys and tell them you'll always try to come home for them because I really wish I could do that for my little buddy right now
 
Premedd said:
Need to vent a little today:

I'm having a really rough week. My childhood pet was put down this week before I had time to drive home from work to say goodbye. It just has me thinking about all the time I put into apps and work, and I really wish I slowed down a little to appreciate what I have/had. Exactly a month from the day that he died, I will be getting married. Between waiting for the waitlist movement, all this COVID wedding stress, and now losing my little buddy after 17 years of having him to help me through all the hardest times in my life...it's been a rough one.

I'm ok, and I'll be sure to take care of myself. But please take a moment to hug your good boys and tell them you'll always try to come home for them because I really wish I could do that for my little buddy right now
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sorry to hear this, cant imagine what you're going through. my pup is only 6 but I have anxiety attacks all the time realizing i might have to leave her behind in the prime of her life if I ever got admitted to a school somewhere far away from home. Hope you're able to reflect on the good memories and continue moving forward !!
 
NoEyeEyeGuy said:
sorry to hear this, cant imagine what you're going through. my pup is only 6 but I have anxiety attacks all the time realizing i might have to leave her behind in the prime of her life if I ever got admitted to a school somewhere far away from home. Hope you're able to reflect on the good memories and continue moving forward !!
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Give her all of the pats you can ❤ I'm a little relieved that he didn't have to go through the stress of moving for school. Studying will never be the same without him chewing on my note cards and binder sheets through lol
 
Premedd said:
Need to vent a little today:

I'm having a really rough week. My childhood pet was put down this week before I had time to drive home from work to say goodbye. It just has me thinking about all the time I put into apps and work, and I really wish I slowed down a little to appreciate what I have/had. Exactly a month from the day that he died, I will be getting married. Between waiting for the waitlist movement, all this COVID wedding stress, and now losing my little buddy after 17 years of having him to help me through all the hardest times in my life...it's been a rough one.

I'm ok, and I'll be sure to take care of myself. But please take a moment to hug your good boys and tell them you'll always try to come home for them because I really wish I could do that for my little buddy right now
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you gave your pet a lifetime of happiness and support, which is all anyone needs and more. dont forget that. very sorry for your loss.
 
Just wanna remind everyone losing hope that this process is often arbitrary and not to let this impact your determination to be a doctor and belief in yourself that you can and will be an amazing doctor.. I was talking to a few friends who applied, who each got at least one A if not more, to ask for advice...they all basically said something along the lines of I don't know what to tell you/I just got lucky because they all had fewer interviews than me..

A lot of the times the belief in the "logic" of admissions is that the better applicant you are --> the more IIs --> the more/sooner A's. But much of this really is luck and and how a specific adcom member subjectively views your app and what they're looking for to build their class, and isn't a reflection of your merit.

This is tough (I literally had a panic attack at work this week) but if this is what we want to do we will all make it there. Everyone graduates med school with the same MD letters after their name, regardless of if you got in on your 1st or 3rd cycle or whether you were the first A they gave out or the last one pulled off the waitlist.
10 years down the line when you're a practicing physician making an impact on your patients, this will all be a distant memory.
 
Checking in on the schools that I got pre-II Rs from, and pretty much everyone who interviewed with them after New Years got waitlisted.

Seeing this has definitely motivated me to get things done for this application cycle as soon as I can, but also, really hoping schools are better at addressing applications, interviews, and decisions this coming year.

Things should not be so bad that the only way to get an acceptance is if you get an interview within the first few months of the cycle.
 
welp, its been great knowing ya'll on this thread. looks like i'll be back on MCAT reddit now. Just got slammed with the post WL rejection from the only school where I had a chance this cycle. it's tough, def hurts right now. but looking to my future, I know this is just a blip in the upward trend. just like every stock has a course correction before it goes to the moon, so too, do our paths on this journey. ignore the noise, follow the upward trend....in lifting, life, stocks and med school apps. cheers folks!
 
I don’t even need to meme this, but I know a lot of us are probably feeling like Squidward at this point in the WL... 😪
1621025052905.jpeg
 
Microbe_Hunter said:
I feel like WL movement is coming to a close...
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I'm gonna try to be more positive and put more positivity out into the universe. I feel like my whole life I've always been haunted by "I won't get into med school" and I even started this cycle thinking "I won't get into med school bcus it's so competitive" I feel like I manifested negativity and I'm really trying to make a change 🙁

Maybe being positive and I mean TRULY positive will help me? loll
 
tahinitajin said:
I'm gonna try to be more positive and put more positivity out into the universe. I feel like my whole life I've always been haunted by "I won't get into med school" and I even started this cycle thinking "I won't get into med school bcus it's so competitive" I feel like I manifested negativity and I'm really trying to make a change 🙁

Maybe being positive and I mean TRULY positive will help me? loll
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And on that note....Here's to my 3rd consecutive week of not doing any work at my job
 
NoEyeEyeGuy said:
welp, its been great knowing ya'll on this thread. looks like i'll be back on MCAT reddit now. Just got slammed with the post WL rejection from the only school where I had a chance this cycle. it's tough, def hurts right now. but looking to my future, I know this is just a blip in the upward trend. just like every stock has a course correction before it goes to the moon, so too, do our paths on this journey. ignore the noise, follow the upward trend....in lifting, life, stocks and med school apps. cheers folks!
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I'm so sorry @NoEyeEyeGuy - take care of yourself this weekend. And I completely agree with you, in 20 years this waiting season will be a blimp in the scheme of things. But keep us updated on the other WL! Rooting for you and everyone on this thread!!

Also, I don't know if anyone else on here has a similar faith but I've found huge comfort knowing that God/whatever higher power you believe in has much greater plans for you! And that he's just preparing and stretching you for that next stepping stone 🙂 even if it's hard to stomach sometimes.
 
thepremednewbie said:
I'm so sorry @NoEyeEyeGuy - take care of yourself this weekend. And I completely agree with you, in 20 years this waiting season will be a blimp in the scheme of things. But keep us updated on the other WL! Rooting for you and everyone on this thread!!

Also, I don't know if anyone else on here has a similar faith but I've found huge comfort knowing that God/whatever higher power you believe in has much greater plans for you! And that he's just preparing and stretching you for that next stepping stone 🙂 even if it's hard to stomach sometimes.
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Yea my grandma said the reason schools are dragging this process out is because they want to test us and make sure we don't crack and make us more resilient. Then I told her how a lot of ppl have acceptances by now and even multiple acceptances. Then she asked my why I don't LOL
 
thepremednewbie said:
I'm so sorry @NoEyeEyeGuy - take care of yourself this weekend. And I completely agree with you, in 20 years this waiting season will be a blimp in the scheme of things. But keep us updated on the other WL! Rooting for you and everyone on this thread!!

Also, I don't know if anyone else on here has a similar faith but I've found huge comfort knowing that God/whatever higher power you believe in has much greater plans for you! And that he's just preparing and stretching you for that next stepping stone 🙂 even if it's hard to stomach sometimes.
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thanks bud, yeah every setback is a bigger comeback as they say. lets get it!
 
NoEyeEyeGuy said:
nah some send rejections after having you marinate on the WL, sadly.
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tunaktunak said:
Omg what?! Schools send post-WL rejections? I thought at least with WLs the only outcomes are getting accepted or not hearing back at all until the first day of class.
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Honestly, it’s good that schools do post-WL rejections, because at the very least you’ll know to stop waiting and move forward with the next steps you need to take.
 
thepremednewbie said:
I'm so sorry @NoEyeEyeGuy - take care of yourself this weekend. And I completely agree with you, in 20 years this waiting season will be a blimp in the scheme of things. But keep us updated on the other WL! Rooting for you and everyone on this thread!!

Also, I don't know if anyone else on here has a similar faith but I've found huge comfort knowing that God/whatever higher power you believe in has much greater plans for you! And that he's just preparing and stretching you for that next stepping stone 🙂 even if it's hard to stomach sometimes.
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What if I don’t believe in a higher power and believe that the reasons I havn’t gotten in are completely my fault and that I failed in my ultimate goal of becoming a doctor even with the superior resources and opportunities I had... yea thats how I feel...
 
swiftcoffeemed said:
This is what I’m hoping 🥺 my school had 3 days of movement last week and only today did they start again.
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I mean logically, I highly doubt schools would have movement for one week and just end it there. I think we are just getting more anxious and annoyed because we check SDN constantly, but technically, it’s only been two weeks of movement!
 
Microbe_Hunter said:
What if I don’t believe in a higher power and believe that the reasons I havn’t gotten in are completely my fault and that I failed in my ultimate goal of becoming a doctor even with the superior resources and opportunities I had... yea thats how I feel...
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That reaction is valid however, being on a waitlist does not mean no it just means not yet. I know it sucks but if is your ultimate goal you will get there. Strangers though we are we share the experience of seeing our dreams put on hold and the sting of rejection, surround yourself with those you lift you up and take one day at a time. Feel free to reach out, we are here for each other.
 
Microbe_Hunter said:
What if I don’t believe in a higher power and believe that the reasons I havn’t gotten in are completely my fault and that I failed in my ultimate goal of becoming a doctor even with the superior resources and opportunities I had... yea thats how I feel...
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😢I feel your heaviness.

First off, you had 6 interviews and are on 5 waitlists. There are 5 medical schools (in the most competitive cycle to date!) that believe in you and think you are a worthwhile and qualified candidate. That is the complete opposite of a failure.

Second, I think that when you DO get into medical school you will be a much better one with greater empathy because of this season of waiting/nerves. And I'm sure that you can agree that all our obstacles make us better and nicer humans. I'm a lot more empathic of the kid with a learning disability because I too had delays because of immigrating here and not understanding a word of English..

I hope I'm not coming across gospely lol but that's how I see it.. here for you @Microbe_Hunter - YOU WILL BE AN AMAZING DOC AT THE END OF THIS
 
ClarePotots said:
That reaction is valid however, being on a waitlist does not mean no it just means not yet. I know it sucks but if is your ultimate goal you will get there. Strangers though we are we share the experience of seeing our dreams put on hold and the sting of rejection, surround yourself with those you lift you up and take one day at a time. Feel free to reach out, we are here for each other.
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I also think about whether God/some higher power is trying to tell me that being a doctor is not meant for me. But at the same time, I wonder if this is some kind of coping mechanism. I'm confused, to say the least LOL

I'm objectively (stats, background, etc.) a strong candidate, and I've also been told by people who've reviewed my application that they're unable to single out any weaknesses. Obviously, everything in my application CAN be improved, but so can those of accepted students. I don't know where I should draw the line between being persistent/resilient vs. knocking on a closed door not meant to open for me again and again and again. How do I know what is the right way to interpret this "sign"? I could want this path for myself and try again and again, but what if it was just never meant for me.
 
hopefulmd987 said:
I also think about whether God/some higher power is trying to tell me that being a doctor is not meant for me. But at the same time, I wonder if this is some kind of coping mechanism. I'm confused, to say the least LOL

I'm objectively (stats, background, etc.) a strong candidate, and I've also been told by people who've reviewed my application that they're unable to single out any weaknesses. Obviously, everything in my application CAN be improved, but so can those of accepted students. I don't know where I should draw the line between being persistent/resilient vs. knocking on a closed door not meant to open for me again and again and again. How do I know what is the right way to interpret this "sign"? I could want this path for myself and try again and again, but what if it was just never meant for me.
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I am just sad because I feel like I got yield protected. I have a 3.94/522, a pub and interesting life experiences. But I am CA ORM. All my interviews were from T20s and we know how that’s a lot of the draw. All my state schools (except a T5) did not bat an eye on me and I’m scrambling to prep a reapp with no idea on how to write one. I’ll apply more broadly now I guess but I just feel like the system is rigged against me and I just got unlucky.
 
fogo said:
I am just sad because I feel like I got yield protected. I have a 3.94/522, a pub and interesting life experiences. But I am CA ORM. All my interviews were from T20s and we know how that’s a lot of the draw. All my state schools (except a T5) did not bat an eye on me and I’m scrambling to prep a reapp with no idea on how to write one. I’ll apply more broadly now I guess but I just feel like the system is rigged against me and I just got unlucky.
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A lot has to do with how you wrote your activities, PS, and secondaries. With those stats I'm pretty sure you'd get a thorough look at any school you apply too. If you need a second opinion on your writing PM me. Even as an ORM those stats are fantastic. Def apply broadly this time T20 is good and all but just remember that a med school is a med school. Especially with step becoming pass fail your experiences in med school, auditions, LORs are going to matter alot more. Don't get caught up in the "prestige" aspect if you need to reapply. Fingers crossed you don't have too tho!
 
hopefulmd987 said:
I also think about whether God/some higher power is trying to tell me that being a doctor is not meant for me. But at the same time, I wonder if this is some kind of coping mechanism. I'm confused, to say the least LOL

I'm objectively (stats, background, etc.) a strong candidate, and I've also been told by people who've reviewed my application that they're unable to single out any weaknesses. Obviously, everything in my application CAN be improved, but so can those of accepted students. I don't know where I should draw the line between being persistent/resilient vs. knocking on a closed door not meant to open for me again and again and again. How do I know what is the right way to interpret this "sign"? I could want this path for myself and try again and again, but what if it was just never meant for me.
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I would be lying if I told you I have not had those same thoughts. I sought a counselor to help me wade through my self-doubt and emotions. I had to decide that I wanted to try again but I also allowed myself grace and kindness to say, I will try again but this does is not the source of my self-worth. My advice to you would go back to what excited you about medicine, why you want to do it and then make your choice. Right now you are reacting out of pain and I do not subscribe to a higher power, I believe that the only final say is my own. I encourage you to let your support system know about your struggle, while they may not fully grasp how you feel they can love you through it. You are not a failure. You are valid. You are enough. Becoming a doctor is not the end all be all of your existence. You are so much more.
 
ClarePotots said:
I would be lying if I told you I have not had those same thoughts. I sought a counselor to help me wade through my self-doubt and emotions. I had to decide that I wanted to try again but I also allowed myself grace and kindness to say, I will try again but this does is not the source of my self-worth. My advice to you would go back to what excited you about medicine, why you want to do it and then make your choice. Right now you are reacting out of pain and I do not subscribe to a higher power, I believe that the only final say is my own. I encourage you to let your support system know about your struggle, while they may not fully grasp how you feel they can love you through it. You are not a failure. You are valid. You are enough. Becoming a doctor is not the end all be all of your existence. You are so much more.
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I am a pediatrician and my son is trying to get in now. I can’t believe how crazy hard it is now. I thought for sure he would get in with his stats and volunteer work and leadership and overseas missions far beyond what I did but I was wrong.I didn’t help him with his application or personal statement, He did it all by himself. He is super smart and just really wants to help people here and globally. He is depressed especially with all the ups and downs. I’ve encouraged him to read this blog for emotional support. I read it and it’s not even about me. I’m pulling for all of you. Jn
 
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Ctjj said:
I am a pediatrician and my son is trying to get in now. I can’t believe how crazy hard it is now. I thought for sure he would get in with his stats and volunteer work and leadership and overseas missions far beyond what I did but I was wrong.I didn’t help him with his application or personal statement, He did it all by himself. He is super smart and just really wants to help people mmwants to help disadvantaged people here and globally
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I'm with you... I have a parent who is a doctor too and I didn't get in this cycle.

I think that there is a huge push for medical schools to accept people who historically are under-represented in medicine. This of course is fantastic, but it also can feel as though people like me and maybe your son need to push a little harder to get into the system.

Given the competitiveness of admissions, it's not enough to be qualified. Something I've learned is that you really have to sell yourself and present yourself in essays and interviews in a way that shows your authentic self and genuine desire for medicine. I'm waiting to reapply until next year. I'm already working on my personal statement so that I can make sure it is flawless...

Note: underrepresented individuals have to work extremely hard to get into medical school too, and in many ways the challenges they face make the process much more difficult, which is why this process is, and should be, set up the way it is
 
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Might be a dumb question, but can you get off the WL after a school's CTE deadline? Or is the CTE deadline date the official date of rejection (if you have not heard back).
 
tunaktunak said:
Might be a dumb question, but can you get off the WL after a school's CTE deadline? Or is the CTE deadline date the official date of rejection (if you have not heard back).
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You can since schools accept people til the first day of class
 
tunaktunak said:
Might be a dumb question, but can you get off the WL after a school's CTE deadline? Or is the CTE deadline date the official date of rejection (if you have not heard back).
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Of course you can. What do you think a school does if all of its PTEs don't convert to CTE by that date? The only "official date of rejection" is the date you receive a rejection! 😎
 
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Julatteluver said:
You can since schools accept people til the first day of class
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Even after, in the rare event someone just doesn't show up. I know someone who actually did that last year (had second thoughts and just didn't show up!). The seat did not remain empty, although it certainly was empty the first day of orientation.
 
tunaktunak said:
Might be a dumb question, but can you get off the WL after a school's CTE deadline? Or is the CTE deadline date the official date of rejection (if you have not heard back).
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Of course! The exception is obviously if you've been accepted elsewhere, in which case you've probably had to CTE at another school by then. The benefit to no other acceptances is that there's really no limit to how long you can stay on a WL.
 
lanadelgay124 said:
Of course! The exception is obviously if you've been accepted elsewhere, in which case you've probably had to CTE at another school by then. The benefit to no other acceptances is that there's really no limit to how long you can stay on a WL.
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This leads to a question that I’ve been wondering and I’ve seen other ask on here: What if your one acceptance/CTE is a DO school but you are on several MD waitlists? The start date of my DO school precedes the start date/CTE of the MD schools. Would it be possible to get off the WL for one of these schools after starting at the DO school and then to leave for that school? (Or do you need to give up your WL when you start a school, no matter if it’s DO or MD?) AMCAS and AACOMAS use separate systems as far as I can tell.

It’s been hard to find a clear answer on this. The advice I’ve seen which I can plan to do, is to call the WL schools prior to your accepted school’s start date and ask if there is a possibility of being accepted off the WL at that point.
 
thehippiestudent said:
This leads to a question that I’ve been wondering and I’ve seen other ask on here: What if your one acceptance/CTE is a DO school but you are on several MD waitlists? The start date of my DO school precedes the start date/CTE of the MD schools. Would it be possible to get off the WL for one of these schools after starting at the DO school and then to leave for that school? (Or do you need to give up your WL when you start a school, no matter if it’s DO or MD?) AMCAS and AACOMAS use separate systems as far as I can tell.

It’s been hard to find a clear answer on this. The advice I’ve seen which I can plan to do, is to call the WL schools prior to your accepted school’s start date and ask if there is a possibility of being accepted off the WL at that point.
Click to expand...

It's a separate system, so you can remain enrolled at the DO school while being on an MD school waitlist. You'll want to double check at the DO school, but I believe you can withdraw during the first two weeks of school and still get a refund. It seems unlikely, but you could begin classes at a DO school and get called off the waitlist at preferred MD school.
 
jamaica jan sun princess said:
It's a separate system, so you can remain enrolled at the DO school while being on an MD school waitlist. You'll want to double check at the DO school, but I believe you can withdraw during the first two weeks of school and still get a refund. It seems unlikely, but you could begin classes at a DO school and get called off the waitlist at preferred MD school.
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Thank you for clarifying. This is reassuring, although still nerve-wracking nonetheless. I hope I hear back from WLs sooner than that. And yes the DO school does have a refund policy which I’ve read 👍
 
Quick question, If you get off a waitlist now, do you need to select PTE for that school as soon as you receive an offer? Even if you are still on other waitlists?
 
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