2020-2021 Waitlist Support Thread

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ohshizmyquad said:
Does anyone know anything about being WL’d at Georgetown? People say they have historically had a great movement, but I’m not sure what to think.
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I would expect a decent amount of movement based on all the posts from SDN’ers in last years thread, which also constitute a small amount of medical school applicants as a whole.
 
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ohshizmyquad said:
Does anyone know anything about being WL’d at Georgetown? People say they have historically had a great movement, but I’m not sure what to think.
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Super high COA and DC COL paired with minimal financial aid (from what I've read) likely contribute to its historically sizeable waitlist movement.
 
Earthworm Slim said:
I feel like the comment was aimed more at Goro’s insensitive tone rather than his advising ability. I don’t doubt his track record but I don’t always agree with his mannerisms- and I know we’re not the only ones who share this sentiment. FWIW, Goro’s best advice to me when I was looking for help to improve my app was to give up.
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It was a larger point about A) not making personal attacks against people and B) that if someone is having a hard time finding their place in the pecking order and accepting the harsh realities that permeate medicine at this point in the game, there is a long, ugly road ahead. Given the poster's response, I'm guessing they missed the point.
 
esob said:
It was a larger point about A) not making personal attacks against people and B) that if someone is having a hard time finding their place in the pecking order and accepting the harsh realities that permeate medicine at this point in the game, there is a long, ugly road ahead. Given the poster's response, I'm guessing they missed the point.
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I think both parties share some degree of fault here, and as a moderator, I encourage you to objectively guide us toward this thread's namesake: support.

A) You are correct, there should not be personal attacks here. End of discussion.
B) This is a derivative justification for a derivative comment. The original line of questioning which prompted Goro's response was as to why some schools cannot adopt a tiered waitlist ranking structure. While it is true there is an aura of entitlement that gravitates towards a faction of the premed body, to conflate calls for improved mental health as a potential positive consequence of said proposal with "entitlement" in the same response to a question about waitlist policies is equally "missing the point" of discussion, if not a personal attack. So, why is one comment met with "tread lightly" while the other is met with this response?

As I requested earlier, I'd really support returning this line of discussion back to a fair comparison of waitist policies.
 
ChemEtoMD23 said:
A) What @armaragon said was in no way a personal attack against @Goro . He/she simply criticized something that he said. B) Finding one’s “place in the pecking order” does not equate to passively accepting insensitive comments, especially when that “pecking order” exists only on this website.
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Good luck in med school then if you think that's true. As for the personal attack, I considered it denigratory and I've been moderating posts for years. A newer staff member got to it first or it would have been a warning.....just in case you're considering emulating the behavior.
 
DilNyethescienceguy said:
I think both parties share some degree of fault here, and as a moderator, I encourage you to objectively guide us toward this thread's namesake: support.

A) You are correct, there should not be personal attacks here. End of discussion.
B) This is a derivative justification for a derivative comment. The original line of questioning which prompted Goro's response was as to why some schools cannot adopt a tiered waitlist ranking structure. While it is true there is an aura of entitlement that gravitates towards a faction of the premed body, to conflate calls for improved mental health as a potential positive consequence of said proposal with "entitlement" in the same response to a question about waitlist policies is equally "missing the point" of discussion, if not a personal attack. So, why is one comment met with "tread lightly" while the other is met with this response?

As I requested earlier, I'd really support returning this line of discussion back to a fair comparison of waitist policies.
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I'll try to clarify this one more time so that things are crystal clear and then this thread can get back on topic or can be locked.

1. There is a difference between a member's worldview directed into the ether (triggered souls) vs calling out a member by name. If you are offended by the former it is because you have chosen to self-select for that moniker. Conversely, there is no way to escape being called out by name.

The rest of the topic is free for reasonable debate. If you want to say premeds are the best group of citizens ever to grace the earth=no problem (personal opinion).
If I want to say math majors trend toward poor bedside manner=no problem (personal opinion).

If I want to say "thescienceguy" probably should change his name if he thinks premeds are awesome=not ok (personal attack).

So, to answer your question, the "tread lightly" was me being a nice guy instead of issuing an infraction for a personal attack. The remainder of my comments are my personal opinion as a medical student, so, take it or leave it.
 
esob said:
I'll try to clarify this one more time so that things are crystal clear and then this thread can get back on topic or can be locked.

1. There is a difference between a member's worldview directed into the ether (triggered souls) vs calling out a member by name. If you are offended by the former it is because you have chosen to self-select for that moniker. Conversely, there is no way to escape being called out by name.

The rest of the topic is free for reasonable debate. If you want to say premeds are the best group of citizens ever to grace the earth=no problem (personal opinion).
If I want to say math majors trend toward poor bedside manner=no problem (personal opinion).

If I want to say "thescienceguy" probably should change his name if he thinks premeds are awesome=not ok (personal attack).

So, to answer your question, the "tread lightly" was me being a nice guy instead of issuing an infraction for a personal attack. The remainder of my comments are my personal opinion as a medical student, so, take it or leave it.
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I just want to know about waitlist policies, man
 
Censorship and power of moderators should be used with genuine care and reflection. Threatening to lock a thread about waitlist support for anxious applicants just because you have issue with one person's statement about how another senior member's comments hurt their feelings (a perfectly valid claim since similar sentiments were commonly expressed on premed reddit). We are all very grateful to senior members and mods for taking the time and effort to offer helpful advice. However just because someone does a lot of good doesn't mean they're perfect in everything they do, and feedback about how someone's points are hurtful is important so that we can do better as a community. There is a lot of toxicity within the medical community, and every professional community. Without discussion about these issues (abusive superiors, inhumane work hours, racial/sexual insensitivity), we would have never implemented the positive policy changes, and there is still a lot of work to be done. The statement "accept your place in the pecking order" is particularly jarring. If everyone bowed down like sheep to superiors and never questioned how statements/policies can hurt others, medicine would be in a very dark place.
 
[

esob said:
If I want to say "thescienceguy" probably should change his name if he thinks premeds are awesome=not ok (personal attack).
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So basically this comment where you implied chemtomd wouldn’t do well in med school is a personal attack right?

esob said:
Good luck in med school then if you think that's true.
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SuperSpies said:
Anyone have input on this? I sort of have a similar situation.

I sent an update letter a few months ago and then sent a letter of intent in early March. The school and people who worked on admissions before, told me they were receptive of such letters so I thought it couldn't hurt.

In my mind, the letter of intent seems like the "mic drop" per say, sort of like the last hurrah or the icing on the cake. I see the LOI as the one you're supposed to end on and be the last letter.

However, I have recent activities that could warrant another update letter. Would it be weird to send an update letter after you sent a LOI already? Is my perspective wrong or am I just thinking too much about this?

Any help is appreciated, thanks
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I don't see why one would preclude the other. One is telling them you love them and will forsake all others if they choose you. The other is updating your already impressive list of accomplishments to give them another reason to choose you over all the others who either have or have not also sent them love letters.

I'm not sure they really make a difference (after all, your file is sitting around scored, and it's not like the adcom reconvenes every day as updates come in from dozens of anxious applicants to rescore files and shuffle whatever list you are on), and I sure wouldn't do it if they didn't encourage it. But, if they do solicit them, I'd send them early and often, because you never really know what might push them to take you over someone else at this point in the cycle.

JMHO as a future applicant who has been observing from the sidelines for the past two years.
 
SuperSpies said:
Anyone have input on this? I sort of have a similar situation.

I sent an update letter a few months ago and then sent a letter of intent in early March. The school and people who worked on admissions before, told me they were receptive of such letters so I thought it couldn't hurt.

In my mind, the letter of intent seems like the "mic drop" per say, sort of like the last hurrah or the icing on the cake. I see the LOI as the one you're supposed to end on and be the last letter.

However, I have recent activities that could warrant another update letter. Would it be weird to send an update letter after you sent a LOI already? Is my perspective wrong or am I just thinking too much about this?

Any help is appreciated, thanks
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Honestly check in w/ your med school. I think this is very school dependent. One school I'm WL at said not to said include further communication after my LOI.
 
Does anyone have an input on whether or not you should mention a currently held acceptance in letters of interest or a LOI to WL schools? On one hand, it could (emphasis on could) make you appear as a higher-value candidate to the adcom, but on the other hand it could make them less likely to extend an offer b/c you already have an acceptance?
 
TheMCATWorther112 said:
Does anyone have an input on whether or not you should mention a currently held acceptance in letters of interest or a LOI to WL schools? On one hand, it could (emphasis on could) make you appear as a higher-value candidate to the adcom, but on the other hand it could make them less likely to extend an offer b/c you already have an acceptance?
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I haven't been through it yet (I'm applying next cycle), so give what I'm about to say whatever weight you think it deserves.

If the A is at the same tier or above, I think mentioning it could only help, because it takes you out of the realm of merely begging and tells them not only that you genuinely prefer them, but, as you said, potentially makes you appear more desirable since peer institutions or above already deemed you worthy. I don't think it hurts you or makes them less likely to extend an offer because, if you weren't serious (and aren't lying), why would you bother?

On the other hand, if the A is at a lower tier (or DO) school, then you are merely stating the obvious and there is no benefit to mentioning it, just like there is no benefit to outright saying you have no As and are desperate. JMHO, but this is exactly what I intend to do this time next year, if applicable.
 
Thanks for starting another thread, the solidarity here helps me cope so much better with the app process. Hoping for good news to come for those of us in purgatory land in the upcoming weeks! It's not over until it's over. 🙂
 
Praying for waitlist movement at my top choice, have also spent the morning calling my waitlisted schools to ask for feedback if possible. I have been preparing for reapplication on my own, adding like 200 hours clinical, 350 research, etc but haven't asked what specifically I could have improved. May also post over on the WAMC to get feedback in terms of whether I should wait a year or just reapply.
 
Hello_There_117 said:
Praying for waitlist movement at my top choice, have also spent the morning calling my waitlisted schools to ask for feedback if possible. I have been preparing for reapplication on my own, adding like 200 hours clinical, 350 research, etc but haven't asked what specifically I could have improved. May also post over on the WAMC to get feedback in terms of whether I should wait a year or just reapply.
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Were your waitlisted schools receptive to your calls?

Been prepping for reapp as well, but hesitate to reach out as I'm sure they are inundated with financial aid questions and everything else.

Edit: Praying/stressing/hoping/ incessantly as well.
 
BigRed0017 said:
Why do we feel there may be movement on April 15th specifically? I thought there was mass movement on April 30th.
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I believe the majority of financial aid packages go out around the 15th which often solidifies school choices for those lucky/smart/blessed enough to have multiple acceptances! Also, the narrowing down choices to three schools guideline is that day, but I don't believe it's "enforced."

Anybody else have anymore insight?
 
HockeyAndBanjos73 said:
Were your waitlisted schools receptive to your calls?

Been prepping for reapp as well, but hesitate to reach out as I'm sure they are inundated with financial aid questions and everything else.

Edit: Praying/stressing/hoping/ incessantly as well.
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I don't know yet, I've called but was only able to leave messages so far. I've got one left to call and then I guess I will wait for their response and updates on the waitlist, so much waiting.

Edit: The schools that continue to be outstanding in terms of communication and transparency have continued to be great. Still awaiting a response from one school that is not as transparent as the others.
 
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Does anyone have knowledge regarding UConn’s waitlist size/typical movement in the past?
 
kinda wish there was a data sheet for DO waitlists. I have a data sheet for MD schools from last cycle (though a good portion are blank)
 
JimmyPage1969 said:
kinda wish there was a data sheet for DO waitlists. I have a data sheet for MD schools from last cycle (though a good portion are blank)
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When I found that data sheet I was so happy...then saw my school wasn't listed :')
 
ohshizmyquad said:
What’re everyone’s thoughts on WL movement this year? There’s been some back and forth about whether we’ll have a lot movement or not, and I know we won’t really know till the time comes, but what do you guys think?
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im gonna put my opinion out there. based off no hard evidence but i think its going to be about the same as always, maybe a tad more than usual by 5% ?. these adcomms are really great at maximizing their yields.
 
NoEyeEyeGuy said:
im gonna put my opinion out there. based off no hard evidence but i think its going to be about the same as always, maybe a tad more than usual by 5% ?. these adcomms are really great at maximizing their yields.
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Yeah but have they ever tried to maximize their yield through an epidemic, with the caveats that come with it? I hope they terribly undershoot their yield tbh.
 
NoEyeEyeGuy said:
im gonna put my opinion out there. based off no hard evidence but i think its going to be about the same as always, maybe a tad more than usual by 5% ?. these adcomms are really great at maximizing their yields.
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Me and my friends are speculating something similar, that there should be more WL movement but likely not significantly more.
 
Hi everyone, I came across a Waitlist Tracker from 2018 that was created by a reddit user. I thought some of you may be interested.

Link
 
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