2020 Cycle Waitlist Support Thread

[Talldoctor96]

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Telling applicants that updates (or LoI's) are not accepted seems to infuriate some of them. Accepting it does not mean that they have any bearing on the decision. At least this school is being honest.

Letters of Intent mean nothing at most schools!!! I try to drive the point home. You can send it but theres a high likelihood it will not even be seen by anyone more than an intern in the office. At this point you have been fully evaluated and at best it will check a box next to your name on a list that you are still interested. Schools and committees have already done their full evaluation of you and probably already ranked you... at the very least you have a score thats not going to change. At this point the best thing you can do is say a prayer and wait patiently. Most applicants at this point have 0 influence on changing their chances of getting accepted. Its a hard pill to swallow-- but swallow it before you drive yourself insane.

 

[whatsthepoint]

Letters of Intent mean nothing at most schools!!! I try to drive the point home. You can send it but theres a high likelihood it will not even be seen by anyone more than an intern in the office. At this point you have been fully evaluated and at best it will check a box next to your name on a list that you are still interested. Schools and committees have already done their full evaluation of you and probably already ranked you... at the very least you have a score thats not going to change. At this point the best thing you can do is say a prayer and wait patiently. Most applicants at this point have 0 influence on changing their chances of getting accepted. Its a hard pill to swallow-- but swallow it before you drive yourself insane.

I feel you. Sucks, but I've decided I'm gonna send it just to help myself feel better lol. Should I still address it to the adcom?

 

[Talldoctor96]

I feel you. Sucks, but I've decided I'm gonna send it just to help myself feel better lol. Should I still address it to the adcom?

Yes 🙂 that sounds like a great idea. And I wish the best to you. Who knows maybe the person responding to emails is grumpy lol.

 

[coffee&scrubs]

I feel you. Sucks, but I've decided I'm gonna send it just to help myself feel better lol. Should I still address it to the adcom?

I say address it to the adcom. They are still the most realistic recipients.

 

[yerrrrrrrrrrrrr]

Telling applicants that updates (or LoI's) are not accepted seems to infuriate some of them. Accepting it does not mean that they have any bearing on the decision. At least this school is being honest.

This may be an unpopular opinion but I'm not a huge fan of this habit of adcoms telling us/not telling us things in order to “prevent outrage.” I don’t imagine many scenarios in which it would be appropriate for a physician to refrain from doing or saying something to a patient just because they expect that they might react negatively. It's frustrating that this would be acceptable in med school admissions, when our lives are completely on hold and where transparency could help many of us make major life decisions based around application outcomes. It’s a shame that it seems so many applicants/parents/lawyers have made so much noise in the past about admissions decisions that the rest of us are stuck with limited information with regard to some parts of the application cycle. Just my two cents

 

[gyngyn]

It’s a shame that it seems so many applicants/parents/lawyers have made so much noise in the past about admissions decisions that the rest of us are stuck with limited information with regard to some parts of the application cycle. Just my two cents

I agree.

 

[Goro]

Hey guys, I emailed one of the schools I'm WL'd at about whether they will accept a LOI. They replied, "We can accept letters of intent but please be aware that the admissions committee and/or Dean will not review this."

I've already written most of it, but I'm wondering who I should address it to? It seems standard to address it to the adcom, but they clearly stated the adcom won't review it. Will this make me look dumb if I address it to the adcom?

What part of the bolded is difficult to understand?

 

[juliannewman]

What part of the bolded is difficult to understand?

The part where it doesn’t make sense

 

[Gastrula44]

What part of the bolded is difficult to understand?

There are plenty of times where schools straight up just say they don’t accept them. It’s weird to see they accept it and then just say they don’t matter right after. Might as well just say they don’t accept it.


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[whatsthepoint]

What part of the bolded is difficult to understand?

Never said I don't understand it, just seeking advice. But it's obvious that their words are inherently contradictory.

 

[enchantments]

Never said I don't understand it, just seeking advice. But it's obvious that their words are inherently contradictory.

It's definitely a weird response overall, but I think they're just taking a "polite" stance here like @gyngyn stated. With the "cancel culture" of our generation, I'm sure they'd receive a good amount of hate mail if they bluntly told applicants they weren't receptive to letters ("But X SOM accepts letters, why don't you??!!). Whoever wrote that response to you is probably doing you a favor and suggesting that you don't spend the effort writing something that won't be read.

Anyone can write a letter to the POTUS (and receive a polite response), but they should be aware that the President will not review it personally. It's a rough analogy, but I think that's the point they're trying to get across.

 

[KnightDoc]

Never said I don't understand it, just seeking advice. But it's obvious that their words are inherently contradictory.

Well, @gyngyn did explain it very well, and it's really not contradictory.

@gyngyn explained that some schools have had issues with candidates freaking out when they won't accept updates or LOIs, and that these guys were just being honest by stating that they won't stop you from sending in anything you want, while assuring you that nobody who matters is going to read it.

You said that, knowing this, it would make you feel better to send it in anyway, which is understandable, since you are apparently anxious and don't want to leave any stone unturned. At the end of the day, you accomplished your goal of doing everything you could, and the school honestly set expectations regarding how much it was going to help.

There is no reason for you to like it, but it's not contradictory at all. The school was telling you not to bother, but to feel free to do whatever you want if it makes you feel better, and you did exactly that.

 

[Goro]

Never said I don't understand it, just seeking advice. But it's obvious that their words are inherently contradictory.

The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function.

F. Scott Fitzgerald

 

[Gastrula44]

The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function.

F. Scott Fitzgerald

Ok Aristotle, relax buddy


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[whatsthepoint]

The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function.

F. Scott Fitzgerald

Amazing how a waitlist "support" thread turns into this.... You SDN mods really need something better to do with your time... Really impressive quote there though. Every one of your colleagues thinks you're an ultra badass now.

 

[wcpremed]

I think for me the most stressful part about a potential gap year would just be where to go. I have a highly toxic living situation at home and for that reason I know that I absolutely will not be going back home after undergrad (I am finishing my last semester of undergrad). That being said, I would have to work full time to be able to support living away. However, I am not sure If I could find a job that is medically related that would pay well enough for me to do that (also one that I could get with minimal experience) and so I guess I would have to work full time at a restaurant or something and then volunteer/shadow on the weekends? Although I am not sure if that is super impressive for a gap year since that would not be super medical. Anyone else in a similar boat of not being able to stay with their parents as a gap year option?

Hi very sorry to hear. Hope you are doing well. Try a travelling scribe job? I know Proscribe is hiring travelling scribes they cover living expenses.

 

[bananafish94]

Languishing on waitlists was the worst time of my life. I feel for all of you in this situation and I hope that you all hear good news soon. I've always loved this quote from Teddy Roosevelt: “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”

 

[skrrss]

Hi everyone. I am currently on 3 WLs, one of which is my top choice. Before i fully realized the implication of this, i sent two of those schools letters and clearly stated that if accepted i would attend. after reading through some stuff online i now realize i shouldnt have done that... just wondering if this is gonna bite me in the ass or what??

 

[rdyotz]

Hi everyone. I am currently on 3 WLs, one of which is my top choice. Before i fully realized the implication of this, i sent two of those schools letters and clearly stated that if accepted i would attend. after reading through some stuff online i now realize i shouldnt have done that... just wondering if this is gonna bite me in the ass or what??

This is the reason why the majority of schools do not put any weight into a letter of intent. The only way it could hurt is if the two schools talk to each other about you. There is no AAMC database where schools can say this student sent us a LOI and the others gasp and decide not to send you an acceptance. That said, I believe it is against AAMC rules for two schools to discuss a possible student as it could lead to collusion.

TL/DR: Relax.

Edit: Clarified the last sentence.

 

[Talldoctor96]

Hi everyone. I am currently on 3 WLs, one of which is my top choice. Before i fully realized the implication of this, i sent two of those schools letters and clearly stated that if accepted i would attend. after reading through some stuff online i now realize i shouldnt have done that... just wondering if this is gonna bite me in the ass or what??

My best advice is to delete your post-- and not tell anyone you did that. Just shhhh.

 

[damon99]

My best advice is to delete your post-- and not tell anyone you did that. Just shhhh.

I don’t think they should delete it- it seems this was an honest mistake that came out of not knowing the unspoken rules to these letters, so if it’s left up other people on this thread should learn from this so they don’t also make the same mistake. Thank you for posting/ starting the discussion OP

 

[Talldoctor96]

I don’t think they should delete it- it seems this was an honest mistake that came out of not knowing the unspoken rules to these letters, so if it’s left up other people on this thread should learn from this so they don’t also make the same mistake. Thank you for posting/ starting the discussion OP

Sure I just meant for their own sake. I don't mean like YOU MUST DELETE IT cause I don't like what you are saying. I am just saying I wouldn't want anyone finding out and thats one way to make sure no one does- peace of mind.

 

[cabbagefacts1]

Sure I just meant for their own sake. I don't mean like YOU MUST DELETE IT cause I don't like what you are saying. I am just saying I wouldn't want anyone finding out and thats one way to make sure no one does- peace of mind.

It’s quoted so many times you can’t really delete it at this point lol


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[kahunas007]

Does anyone know if schools are able to see how acceptances you are holding and if you have selected PTE to their school for the time frame between April 15 to April 30? I know they can see if an accepted student has PTE/CTE to their school after April 30 and can start the WL movement.

 

[GA_arYonkees_82]

Does anyone know if schools are able to see how acceptances you are holding and if you have selected PTE to their school for the time frame between April 15 to April 30? I know they can see if an accepted student has PTE/CTE to their school after April 30 and can start the WL movement.

no I don’t think so to the first question. Second question I think the answer is still no.

 

[Goro]

Hi everyone. I am currently on 3 WLs, one of which is my top choice. Before i fully realized the implication of this, i sent two of those schools letters and clearly stated that if accepted i would attend. after reading through some stuff online i now realize i shouldnt have done that... just wondering if this is gonna bite me in the ass or what??

They already knew you were lying, you just added more data points

 

[Nugester]

Does anyone know if schools are able to see how acceptances you are holding and if you have selected PTE to their school for the time frame between April 15 to April 30? I know they can see if an accepted student has PTE/CTE to their school after April 30 and can start the WL movement.

I don't think so.

 

[damon99]

I don't think so.

I could be wrong but at the GW waitlist seminar they implied that schools can see if you have other acceptances, just not to which schools

 

[Nugester]

I could be wrong but at the GW waitlist seminar they implied that schools can see if you have other acceptances, just not to which schools

Regardless, I'd err on the side of caution and narrow it down to 3 by April 15th.

 

[Talldoctor96]

I could be wrong but at the GW waitlist seminar they implied that schools can see if you have other acceptances, just not to which schools

They can see if you have acceptances at other schools: 1 or 0, yes or no. Not # of schools.

 

[kahunas007]

They can see if you have acceptances at other schools: 1 or 0, yes or no. Not # of schools.

Can they also see which of their accepted student has selected PTE to their school between 4/15-4/30?

 

[Itisnottoolate]

What are reasons applicants hold multiple acceptances until April?

 

[GA_arYonkees_82]

What are reasons applicants hold multiple acceptances until April?

Many reasons such as financial aid, location, whether or not they like the school.

 

[kahunas007]

Many reasons such as financial aid, location, whether or not they like the school.

Bingo!

 

[Itisnottoolate]

Many reasons such as financial aid, location, whether or not they like the school.

I understand. I just feel like some people wait a long time.

 

[yerrrrrrrrrrrrr]

Many reasons such as financial aid, location, whether or not they like the school.

I understand. I just feel like some people wait a long time.

I agree. Financial aid is one thing, but deciding to like a school could have been done a year ago when submitting a primary to that school. And its not like schools are picking up and moving anywhere so I don't get why location would be a legit reason to wait until last min for CTE/PTE.

Sadly we are at the mercy of this timeline anyway. Good luck everyone <3

 

[GA_arYonkees_82]

I understand. I just feel like some people wait a long time.

I agree. Financial aid is one thing, but deciding to like a school could have been done a year ago when submitting a primary to that school. And its not like schools are picking up and moving anywhere so I don't get why location would be a legit reason to wait until last min for CTE/PTE.

Sadly we are at the mercy of this timeline anyway. Good luck everyone <3

I totally understand how you feel. I'm sitting here with a couple of WLs but no acceptances either.

It really isn't that hard to pick a school, but I feel like people can get overly dramatic when it comes to narrowing it down to where they want to go lol. However, I can't complain/whine about it because those who have multiple acceptances worked hard to get to where they are. So not much left to do except wait, which sucks af.

 

[Itisnottoolate]

I totally understand how you feel. I'm sitting here with a couple of WLs but no acceptances either.

It really isn't that hard to pick a school, but I feel like people can get overly dramatic when it comes to narrowing it down to where they want to go lol. However, I can't complain/whine about it because those who have multiple acceptances worked hard to get to where they are. So not much left to do except wait, which sucks af.

I am just really hoping a lot of people are deciding and the waitlist movement is heavy at my top school. I don’t know my number but all I know is I am in upper tier. I really don’t want to apply again. Ugh

 

[Gastrula44]

I am just really hoping a lot of people are deciding and the waitlist movement is heavy at my top school. I don’t know my number but all I know is I am in upper tier. I really don’t want to apply again. Ugh

If people are curious about waitlist movement at different schools, some schools reported theirs last years on MSAR like how many waitlisted and how many taken off


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[CRISPR_Queen]

Sorry if this has been covered previously on this thread, but what is the consensus on getting a new LOR submitted? Helpful, unhelpful? I feel it would portray the same research focused side of me just from a different person.

 

[GA_arYonkees_82]

Sorry if this has been covered previously on this thread, but what is the consensus on getting a new LOR submitted? Helpful, unhelpful? I feel it would portray the same research focused side of me just from a different person.

No need to apologize. Anecdotally it has helped some while it hasn’t helped others. I don’t think anyone knows the answer to this question unless you are an adcom.

If you would like to submit one go ahead. I would check if the school accepts first before submitting since not all schools will accept.

 

[damon99]

does anyone feel like the waitlist limbo feeling is even more terrible with all the uncertainty in the world going on
this is my first time applying and i’m sure that it always sucks but i just can’t handle the uncertainty. Not only do i not know if I’m going to go to school next year, i don’t know when I can see my friends and family next, I don’t know if I’m going to still be employed in a few weeks, I’m nervous about the health of my friends/family/ etc.... obviously there are worse things that people are dealing with but this really really sucks
3 WLs, one deferral, and one canceled interview that may or may not be rescheduled

 

[Itisnottoolate]

does anyone feel like the waitlist limbo feeling is even more terrible with all the uncertainty in the world going on
this is my first time applying and i’m sure that it always sucks but i just can’t handle the uncertainty. Not only do i not know if I’m going to go to school next year, i don’t know when I can see my friends and family next, I don’t know if I’m going to still be employed in a few weeks, I’m nervous about the health of my friends/family/ etc.... obviously there are worse things that people are dealing with but this really really sucks
3 WLs, one deferral, and one canceled interview that may or may not be rescheduled

I am waitlisted at one school. This is almost worse than waiting for MCAT scores.

 

[BeingForItself]

Hi everyone. Just here for waitlist support/to support other waitlisted peeps. I'm waitlisted at all 4 schools I've interviewed at and this stinks!

On the bright side it's almost May and 3/4 of the schools I'm waitlisted at will probably have the bulk of their waitlist movement in May. I just want to find an apartment and get ready to go to school instead of worrying about whether I wanna hang on to the same gap year job and have to ask my undergrad school's premed office for another committee letter..

 

[fdizzle12]

Hi everyone. Just here for waitlist support/to support other waitlisted peeps. I'm waitlisted at all 4 schools I've interviewed at and this stinks!

On the bright side it's almost May and 3/4 of the schools I'm waitlisted at will probably have the bulk of their waitlist movement in May. I just want to find an apartment and get ready to go to school instead of worrying about whether I wanna hang on to the same gap year job and have to ask my undergrad school's premed office for another committee letter..

Major props to you for being brave enough to go through 3 (!!!) application cycles. Currently on 2 waitlists, and waiting to hear back from 1 school. Also questioning whether I want to go through this hell again lmao.

 

[Chad12]

Dont worry kings(and queens), was in waitlist hell last year. April 30-Mid-May is a hella of a joy ride, and many of ya'll will be receving good news.

 

[fdizzle12]

Dont worry kings(and queens), was in waitlist hell last year. April 30-Mid-May is a hella of a joy ride, and many of ya'll will be receving good news.

How many waitlists were you on, and when did you get your first A? Trying to keep the hope alive haha.

 

[Chad12]

I was on 3. Got off my first choice school early May and withdrew the other two. Probably would have gotten off atleast 1 of the remaning two as well because those two schools had heavy movement too. I would recommend not getting too excited and withdrawing your waitlists and commiting to enroll immediately after your first A like I did as I was left with no bargaining power for tutition afterwards haha.

Also for reference out of the 10 friends who applied with me last year 4/10 of us got in off the waitlist.

 

[fdizzle12]

I was on 3. Got off my first choice school early May and withdrew the other two. Probably would have gotten off atleast 1 of the remaning two as well because those two schools had heavy movement too. I would recommend not getting too excited and withdrawing your waitlists and commiting to enroll immediately after your first A like I did as I was left with no bargaining power for tutition afterwards haha.

Thank you for your advice during these stressful times 🙂

 

[GA_arYonkees_82]

I was on 3. Got off my first choice school early May and withdrew the other two. Probably would have gotten off atleast 1 of the remaning two as well because those two schools had heavy movement too. I would recommend not getting too excited and withdrawing your waitlists and commiting to enroll immediately after your first A like I did as I was left with no bargaining power for tutition afterwards haha.

Also for reference out of the 10 friends who applied with me last year 4/10 of us got in off the waitlist.

If you don't mind me asking, did the other 6 have to reapply or were they in prior to hearing back from the waitlist?