I think I wrote it wrong. I'm pretty far down the list on the WL. I was just hoping to get feedback and if there were any questions I'd need to remember to ask so that I make the most out of this appointment. Thank you for the suggestions though!Do you know their policy of how they pull from the WL (ranked vs unranked)? If it’s unranked, maybe ask how do they choose for seats as they open up?
How full is the class? (Not sure if they have access to this info) Do they have info on when the class filled up or any prior history on when people got off the WL? (Like what was the latest someone got off)
How generous are they with financial aid or any accommodations for people taken off the WL after April 30th?
How long do you have to accept their offer?
How do they deal with existential crises and relate to WLed souls who might experience them?
What is their proficiency in the comprehension of memes?
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2020 Cycle Waitlist Support Thread
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studentdoctor!
Full Member
I made my appointments last week when I knew my placement. I'm on a ranked list so it was easier to justify why I was reaching out early.
Only one of my schools (out of 5) are ranked and they even tell us which part they are pulling off of currently. For the rest I have no clue what position I am and hence the uncertainty of when to ask for feedback.
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Oh! Actually I think I’d ask how they ranked their WL then.I think I wrote it wrong. I'm pretty far down the list on the WL. I was just hoping to get feedback and if there were any questions I'd need to remember to ask so that I make the most out of this appointment. Thank you for the suggestions though!
Would they even have access to what the adcoms said/thought about you? If they do that would be helpful too (I’m not sure if they can provide meaningful feedback without that)
I actually have two appointments with the same school. One is with the admissions officer and the other is with the director of their pathways program. I will have to ask if they have that information. I'm pretty lucky in that I was actively involved in the medical school's outreach program and was able to get the second appointment.Oh! Actually I think I’d ask how they ranked their WL then.
Would they even have access to what the adcoms said/thought about you? If they do that would be helpful too (I’m not sure if they can provide meaningful feedback without that)
Yeah I honestly think I'd go crazy being on an unranked list. I'm sad I only have one but knowing where I'm at really lets me decide on how to approach future plans. I would probably make the appointment soon-is? The office is most likely extremely busy/backed-up with requests. I made my appointments last week or so and the appointment with the admissions office ended up being two weeks out from when I contacted them.Only one of my schools (out of 5) are ranked and they even tell us which part they are pulling off of currently. For the rest I have no clue what position I am and hence the uncertainty of when to ask for feedback.
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can assure you, the grass is not greener on this side. still obsessing.I wonder if being on an unranked list is a bit of a blessing. With a ranked list you have more to obsess over and calculate.
I'd say its school specific. Two of my schools have seats left (one even has like 25 open seats) but they haven't pulled from the WL at all these past few weeks, no clue why maybe issues with everything shifting online. My two other schools haven't said anything we are just all left in silence lolCan anyone clarify WL movement? Is it delayed? Is it not happening? I’ve never been more neurotic in my life...
Can anyone clarify WL movement? Is it delayed? Is it not happening? I’ve never been more neurotic in my life...
It’s happening at some schools for sure. UWash has already at this point moved the same amount of spots that they normally do total. So based off that, it looks like waitlist movement can be higher this year than in the past. I think the ranked waitlist schools are having movement now, while some of the unranked schools haven’t since they need to somehow get the committee together to decide on who to fill seats with.
Going to answer this assuming you're talking about reapplying.I have an appointment with an admissions officer in a little bit about my waitlist decision. Any questions that y'all think are important to ask them?
I'd go through your own application first, and determine what you see as your strengths and weaknesses.
Ask them if they agree, disagree, or if you missed anything.
If you have plans to address your weak points, share them and see if they think your plans would fix the gap in your app.
See if they have additional thoughts on how to address your weak points beyond your plans.
Ask about your essays and if there's any room for improvement.
Share your feelings after your interview and see if it matches the feedback of your interviewer.
Ask about any potential issues or areas of improvement on the interview.
See if they have any general advice for reapplicants to better stand out.
Looks like the waits over, your boy just got that A!!! I know everyone here's stress levels are at an all time high but just stay patient good things are coming y'alls way soon.
Well guys, was told by one of my waitlist schools to reach out this week and was told they won’t probably be making it to the alternate list. After spending 12 hours trying to reschedule my MCAT yesterday, not exactly the news I was hoping for. Definitely finding it hard to be motivated to go through this all again.
Congrats! What school?Looks like the waits over, your boy just got that A!!! I know everyone here's stress levels are at an all time high but just stay patient good things are coming y'alls way soon.
probablyneedassistance
Full Member
Well guys, was told by one of my waitlist schools to reach out this week and was told they won’t probably be making it to the alternate list. After spending 12 hours trying to reschedule my MCAT yesterday, not exactly the news I was hoping for. Definitely finding it hard to be motivated to go through this all again.
I'm so sorry 🙁 What school?
How do you know how many open seats a school has?
I'd say its school specific. Two of my schools have seats left (one even has like 25 open seats) but they haven't pulled from the WL at all these past few weeks, no clue why maybe issues with everything shifting online. My two other schools haven't said anything we are just all left in silence lol
just an estimate based on the facebook page... i know people say not to read into it too much but it’s about 25 people short of filling the class size stillHow do you know how many open seats a school has?
I'm accepted to 1 program and declined an offer from another program. I'm currently in the Facebook group of the school I declined and not in the group for the one I'm planning to put a deposit down for. I would be really hesitant to draw any conclusions based on the Facebook groups size. There's just so much noise in the data that it becomes uninterpretable.just an estimate based on the facebook page... i know people say not to read into it too much but it’s about 25 people short of filling the class size still
I would start by trying to reach out to schools and see if they can give you any feedback. The info they give you could be really valuable when drafting a new PS and application.im currently on 6 waitlists, debating whether I should keep waiting or start working on my personal statement and re-application. Any advice would be appreciated! I also had a pretty strong app imo and okay interviews so i have absolutely no idea what went wrong 🙁
im currently on 6 waitlists, debating whether I should keep waiting or start working on my personal statement and re-application. Any advice would be appreciated! I also had a pretty strong app imo and okay interviews so i have absolutely no idea what went wrong 🙁
I’m currently on 5 and planning a re-app. Although I hope it doesn’t come to that. I just feel like it’s better safe than sorry
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I mean you should prepare for the worst, but with 5 or 6 waitlists theres a pretty decent chance you get off one. Keep in mind multiple adcoms thought you were good enough to be a doc.I’m currently on 5 and planning a re-app. Although I hope it doesn’t come to that. I just feel like it’s better safe than sorry
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Med.School.Hopeful
Full Member
Interesting find on reddit. Compilation of schools CTE dates.
I guess these are the dates when waitlist movement will really starting rolling. Don’t give up hope everyone!
I guess these are the dates when waitlist movement will really starting rolling. Don’t give up hope everyone!
I’m on 3 waitlists (one of which is ranked but they don’t disclose our rank). I am wondering if I should start applying for gap year jobs in case I don’t get in. Do I tell employers I’m on waitlists for med school? Do I tell them that I’m applying in the 2020/2021 cycle?
I’m on 3 waitlists (one of which is ranked but they don’t disclose our rank). I am wondering if I should start applying for gap year jobs in case I don’t get in. Do I tell employers I’m on waitlists for med school? Do I tell them that I’m applying in the 2020/2021 cycle?
How is that even possible with your stats? I know people are gonna be like, EC's matter too, but jeez. Hang in there.
TBH I don’t have research experience because I’m not really interested. Also I don’t have a lot of shadowing and while the volunteer work I’ve been most involved in is at a hospital, some schools don’t consider what I’m doing clinical (I volunteer at a sexual assault and domestic violence treatment center at a hospital). I do have some other volunteer work in other hospital departments (ER, NICU, LD/PP). A lot of my time is taken up by my RA job though so I only volunteered like 3 hours a week for most of undergrad.How is that even possible with your stats? I know people are gonna be like, EC's matter too, but jeez. Hang in there.
This whole process is mind-blowingly frustrating.TBH I don’t have research experience because I’m not really interested. Also I don’t have a lot of shadowing and while the volunteer work I’ve been most involved in is at a hospital, some schools don’t consider what I’m doing clinical (I volunteer at a sexual assault and domestic violence treatment center at a hospital). I do have some other volunteer work in other hospital departments (ER, NICU, LD/PP). A lot of my time is taken up by my RA job though so I only volunteered like 3 hours a week for most of undergrad.
D
deleted1025690
I’m on 3 waitlists (one of which is ranked but they don’t disclose our rank). I am wondering if I should start applying for gap year jobs in case I don’t get in. Do I tell employers I’m on waitlists for med school? Do I tell them that I’m applying in the 2020/2021 cycle?
I honestly wouldn’t disclose too much unless you have to, because having that uncertainty can make employers hesitate to offer you a position. I’ve just been saying the cycle didn’t turn out as hoped and I’m looking to expand my experiences in the coming year and leaving it at that for the most part.
It’s all so nuanced. You can’t predict anything.This whole process is mind-blowingly frustrating.
That is great advice. Thank you!I honestly wouldn’t disclose too much unless you have too, because having that uncertainty can make employers hesitate to offer you a position. I’ve just been saying the cycle didn’t turn out as hoped and I’m looking to expand my experiences in the coming year and leaving it at that for the most part.
just registered to retake the MCAT rip :-(
Just wanted to wish everyone a good weekend. Earlier this week I was saddled with an extremely anxious mood over this situation, but I've been feeling better every day. Gearing up financially and emotionally to reapply and go strong into a new cycle, since my 2018 MCAT score should be good for the next cycle and even the next next one if I want to.
You’ve got this!!just registered to retake the MCAT rip :-(
Who else is in the 6:30 AM MCAT re-take gang RIPPPPPP
I don't understand how this traffic works. it seems like a lot of schools don't have movement at all so that means a lot of them are still over the full size. if this is the case, that means there will be no waitlist movement at all because people already made PTE with only one school prior 4/30 and there is just no open seat anywhere. so it is very very high yield this year? and we are outliers?Just got my newest weekly update from my waitlist school. No movement this week.
I don't understand how this traffic works. it seems like a lot of schools don't have movement at all so that means a lot of them are still over the full size. if this is the case, that means there will be no waitlist movement at all because people already made PTE with only one school prior 4/30 and there is just no open seat anywhere. so it is very very high yield this year? and we are outliers?
The way I imagine it, there’s a trickledown effect. There are plenty of people out there with multiple A’s who PTE’d but who are still staying on WL’s. Once they get their acceptances at their preferred schools, they can shift their PTE’s and WL’s will start moving. I feel like as soon as a few schools start their WL movement, many will then follow. Thats the only way I can put my wishful thinking into logical terms lol, whether or not its true though, we will have to wait and see
I also think schools are probably juggling having virtual committee meetings because they can’t meet in personThe way I imagine it, there’s a trickledown effect. There are plenty of people out there with multiple A’s who PTE’d but who are still staying on WL’s. Once they get their acceptances at their preferred schools, they can shift their PTE’s and WL’s will start moving. I feel like as soon as a few schools start their WL movement, many will then follow. Thats the only way I can put my wishful thinking into logical terms lol, whether or not its true though, we will have to wait and see
On 4 waitlists and hoping that I’ll get accepted somewhere but if I have to reapply I’m gonna have to take the mcat again 🙁 When do you think is the latest I can take it without totally messing up my chances? (given that schools will be more lenient about mcat submission because of covid) Is September terribly late? I’d submit my primary and secondaries ASAP. I have new clinical and non clinical experiences that will boost my app, and considering I got 4 interviews this cycle with my meh mcat I think I’ll have a shot still, even with a late mcat submission?? Or I guess I’d just hear back from schools in the spring rather than fall (assuming I get a better score). I need 3 months to study but I refuse to start now because I still have hope!! I’d prefer to start in late June...
AAMC traffic rules state that 4/30 is the last day all people with multiple As narrow down to PTE only one school while holding other WL. Now if everyone follows this, there shouldn't be anyone holding multiple As like what you said. But a few days ago, the school where I got WL told us they are contacting people who didn't follow this deadline but didn't disclose how this would be enforced. So do you think it is not uncommon a lot of people in other schools didn't follow the AAMC traffic protocol? If there is no intention or no enforcement to prevent people from holding multiple As, how does this work? Some will even hold until July to make their final decision?The way I imagine it, there’s a trickledown effect. There are plenty of people out there with multiple A’s who PTE’d but who are still staying on WL’s. Once they get their acceptances at their preferred schools, they can shift their PTE’s and WL’s will start moving. I feel like as soon as a few schools start their WL movement, many will then follow. Thats the only way I can put my wishful thinking into logical terms lol, whether or not its true though, we will have to wait and see
And no if it is like what you said people are still holding multiple As, how can they get out of the WL of their top schools when every school is over full size?
Thanks! You’re definitely rightSeptember is definitely late, but you may be able to get away with it this cycle because of all of the delays and complications caused by Covid-19. Earlier would probably be better though...
On 4 waitlists and hoping that I’ll get accepted somewhere but if I have to reapply I’m gonna have to take the mcat again 🙁 When do you think is the latest I can take it without totally messing up my chances? (given that schools will be more lenient about mcat submission because of covid) Is September terribly late? I’d submit my primary and secondaries ASAP. I have new clinical and non clinical experiences that will boost my app, and considering I got 4 interviews this cycle with my meh mcat I think I’ll have a shot still, even with a late mcat submission?? Or I guess I’d just hear back from schools in the spring rather than fall (assuming I get a better score). I need 3 months to study but I refuse to start now because I still have hope!! I’d prefer to start in late June...
Would also echo this sentiment of a September MCAT being late, considering your test results will (most likely) come out in late September or October (I know they're expediting MCAT results but not up to date on the time frame of getting results back). You might be able to get away with a July or early August MCAT, but since med schools tend to use GPA and MCAT as screening tools to send out interviews, it'd be in your best interest to take it earlier. I think your new clinical and non-clinical experiences can help brighten up your PS/AMCAS but from what I've heard, they're more helpful to have once you've gotten the interview. You want to set yourself up for success by getting as many IIs as you can first, and your chances are better when you have everything in earlier on in the cycle.September is definitely late, but you may be able to get away with it this cycle because of all of the delays and complications caused by Covid-19. Earlier would probably be better though...
AAMC traffic rules state that 4/30 is the last day all people with multiple As narrow down to PTE only one school while holding other WL. Now if everyone follows this, there shouldn't be anyone holding multiple As like what you said. But a few days ago, the school where I got WL told us they are contacting people who didn't follow this deadline but didn't disclose how this would be enforced. So do you think it is not uncommon a lot of people in other schools didn't follow the AAMC traffic protocol? If there is no intention or no enforcement to prevent people from holding multiple As, how does this work? Some will even hold until July to make their final decision?
And no if it is like what you said people are still holding multiple As, how can they get out of the WL of their top schools when every school is over full size?
Oh my bad, lemme explain better. I guess I mean we're probably waiting on both the people who follow the rules and the people who don't. As you point out, people not withdrawing their multiple acceptances is clearly an issue at that school you contacted. I have no clue how widespread of an issue that is, but if it's happening at one school, I am willing to bet it's happening at others too.
As far as things go with ppl who did follow the rules, I think that schools had to wait until April 30th to get that final count, and they are just now turning to their WL's, evaluating them, waiting for people to accept/deny acceptances from the WL, etc, and that all takes time. Not to mention there is the additional burden of delays from Covid-19.
I'm not on a ranked WL, so if people are out there and can see what # they're at, but the WL still hasn't moved since May 1st, I completely understand how insanely frustrating that is. I would be at my wits end hitting refresh nonstop.
My hope is just that this process is moving slower because schools gave out more WL's this year as the PTE/CTE system is relatively new, and we are all waiting for just a few schools to budge so that the rest will start moving!
edit: as far as punitive measures/rescinding acceptances go, that too is a mystery to me. definitely something thats going to have to change in coming years.
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You know the worst thing with this waitlist purgatory? The timing makes it so Im still on the WL, but I also wanna start my reapp. So Im prewriting my primary/secondary stuff, trying to figure out something for my gap year, all while having a chance of getting in. Like, my advisor said the committee can't provide me a letter until they are sure I wont get in, and not to actually submit my primary until I know Im not getting in.
Also! Like 3 people off of SDN got into the program Im waiting at today, so each week it seems like I have less of a chance but also high enough to not submit anything...
Also! Like 3 people off of SDN got into the program Im waiting at today, so each week it seems like I have less of a chance but also high enough to not submit anything...
Thanks for your input! I shouldn’t sell myself short, especially as a reapplicant. Guess I’ll have to start studying again soon love my liiiiifeWould also echo this sentiment of a September MCAT being late, considering your test results will (most likely) come out in late September or October (I know they're expediting MCAT results but not up to date on the time frame of getting results back). You might be able to get away with a July or early August MCAT, but since med schools tend to use GPA and MCAT as screening tools to send out interviews, it'd be in your best interest to take it earlier. I think your new clinical and non-clinical experiences can help brighten up your PS/AMCAS but from what I've heard, they're more helpful to have once you've gotten the interview. You want to set yourself up for success by getting as many IIs as you can first, and your chances are better when you have everything in earlier on in the cycle.
To all the plan to enroll rule breakers:
Sincerely: The WL Fam
Sincerely: The WL Fam
Interesting find on reddit. Compilation of schools CTE dates.
I guess these are the dates when waitlist movement will really starting rolling. Don’t give up hope everyone!
Does that mean closer to these dates or after really? Some of them are really close to august and that makes me feel both sad and scared inside...
Been seeing your posts since the begining of this cycle. I know you applied a litlle late and was completed latter than most. I am rooting for you and hope you get that A eventually. But if you have to reapply, please apply more broadly and submit your primary on the day it opnes and your 2nd within 2 or 3 days of getting it. I have an average MCAT, average gpa, and okay ECs. Being from CA and a male asian, I was so worried about my stats that I applied to 32 MD schools. I was fortunate to receive 11 II, attended 8, got 5 As and 3 WL(withdrew). I believe you can do the same because your stats are not far from mine. Go get that A.You know the worst thing with this waitlist purgatory? The timing makes it so Im still on the WL, but I also wanna start my reapp. So Im prewriting my primary/secondary stuff, trying to figure out something for my gap year, all while having a chance of getting in. Like, my advisor said the committee can't provide me a letter until they are sure I wont get in, and not to actually submit my primary until I know Im not getting in.
Also! Like 3 people off of SDN got into the program Im waiting at today, so each week it seems like I have less of a chance but also high enough to not submit anything...
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I would call your school(s) and ask them if they accept new letters and how you should send them. I would personally recommend using interfolio if you might have to reapply so you have that LOR on file for next year.anyone send new LOR to their schools? how does that exactly work? does the letter writer simply email admissions about an informal LOR?