2022-2023 Waitlist Support Thread

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livesoncoffee said:
I love how 3 of the 4 WL I’m on, the schools only say WL size varies. This document would be really helpful if schools actually put their information on it. Like I know the WL size varies, give me an average or estimate or any real information would be great. Schools just need to be way more transparent about not only this process, but especially their WL procedures
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Cannot agree more. Whenever they say their WLs are not ranked, I’m like then in what order do you take people off? Rolling a die or what? 😑
 
mstpgrind said:
Oftentimes schools will try to match the demographic of the student who turned down an acceptance
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More likely, they may want to use a waitlist to re-balance a class that has become unbalanced (men/women, rural/urban, research/clinical...).
 
I just wanted to chime in that I also got accepted off the WL a few hours ago. This was my third and final cycle (thank goodness).

1st cycle: 3 II, 2 WL, 1 post-II R
2nd cycle: 0 II
3rd cycle: 2 II, 2WL, 1 A

I am manifesting As for everyone else still waiting! There is still plenty of WL movement to come.
 
helloworld! said:
Just wondering, for ranked waitlists is there a reason why they wont tell you if your on the bottom half or top half of the waitlist? I imagine that this information would be very helpful to waitlisted applicants
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Probably two reasons. One, they want to keep the option of shuffling the rank available. Reasons for shuffling could be because someone receives a new award or publication that bumps them up, someone gets an IA and that moves them down, or like @gyngyn said their class becomes unbalanced (possibly in terms of M/F ratio or race/ethnicity, but also traditional vs nontrad, research focuses applicants vs service focused, etc). The other reason is they don’t want to set false expectations. For example if someone is told they are in the “top half” of the waitlist but they don’t get in, you’re likely to get an angry email later about what happened, how far down the rank list they went, etc.

Ultimately, even if you had the information, it isn’t actionable. If you aren’t holding an A then you need to be proceeding as if you need a gap year. Even if that wastes a little money if/when you manifest the A, it is going to set you up much better in the long run.
 
Does Wake forest have a ranked waitlist? In the email it makes it sound like it doesn’t
 
doodle14 said:
Does Wake forest have a ranked waitlist? In the email it makes it sound like it doesn’t
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I don't think so. A lot depends on who drops off the list. I believe they want to keep a certain level of diversity in the class. I'm really hoping to get in their myself.
 
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GoSpursGo said:
Probably two reasons. One, they want to keep the option of shuffling the rank available. Reasons for shuffling could be because someone receives a new award or publication that bumps them up, someone gets an IA and that moves them down, or like @gyngyn said their class becomes unbalanced (possibly in terms of M/F ratio or race/ethnicity, but also traditional vs nontrad, research focuses applicants vs service focused, etc). The other reason is they don’t want to set false expectations. For example if someone is told they are in the “top half” of the waitlist but they don’t get in, you’re likely to get an angry email later about what happened, how far down the rank list they went, etc.

Ultimately, even if you had the information, it isn’t actionable. If you aren’t holding an A then you need to be proceeding as if you need a gap year. Even if that wastes a little money if/when you manifest the A, it is going to set you up much better in the long run.
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While I understand that it is not directly “actionable” the information would still be helpful. I’m on 4 waitlists. I need to have at least some idea if I will be moving across the country this summer or not (my lease is up very soon), need to give my boss some notice if I am leaving or staying another year so that he can plan. And it’s not just a little bit of money that is wasted, it’s quite a bit. I’m prepping for a third cycle and that is very very stressful financially. If I had even a bit of information, like am I in the top or bottom half of a 300 ranked list, or any idea of my chances for 3 other WL would help me have at least a little idea of what my chances are so that I can inform the people that need to know, find a place to live, etc. It is total bull that they drag out the application process this long, okay because it’s not that we have to plan for reapp at this point, we have to pay for reapp too and actually submit in a month, in the middle of when WL movement still happens. It is totally unnecessary to start apps in May/June and still not have answers until the end of April from interviews. We can make up all kinds of bs about why it takes this long, but the actual reason, schools and the AAMC profit off our uncertainty and reapps. It’s just not okay.
 
livesoncoffee said:
While I understand that it is not directly “actionable” the information would still be helpful. I’m on 4 waitlists. I need to have at least some idea if I will be moving across the country this summer or not (my lease is up very soon), need to give my boss some notice if I am leaving or staying another year so that he can plan. And it’s not just a little bit of money that is wasted, it’s quite a bit. I’m prepping for a third cycle and that is very very stressful financially. If I had even a bit of information, like am I in the top or bottom half of a 300 ranked list, or any idea of my chances for 3 other WL would help me have at least a little idea of what my chances are so that I can inform the people that need to know, find a place to live, etc. It is total bull that they drag out the application process this long, okay because it’s not that we have to plan for reapp at this point, we have to pay for reapp too and actually submit in a month, in the middle of when WL movement still happens. It is totally unnecessary to start apps in May/June and still not have answers until the end of April from interviews. We can make up all kinds of bs about why it takes this long, but the actual reason, schools and the AAMC profit off our uncertainty and reapps. It’s just not okay.
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I hear you--the real answer, rather than letting you know where you are on the WL, is I think they should be more definitive about rejecting people who are clearly not going to get off the WL. Then cull the list even further by, say, end of May as it's becoming clear that only a few more people are going to come off the list.
 
Would love some third party input here. I got three MD IIs after sending an update letter in January and interviewed for all from February through March (so like end of the cycle). Was waitlisted for all of them including one HPWL. Do you guys have any success stories for something like this?
 
Some of the posters on the school specific threads are so insensitive. They post certain things (developments) that could be crushing for waitlisted people without giving enough detail to know if it should be. Example, “there’s been a lot of movement in the group me, so i’m excited to meet everyone.” Dude, into or out of??? I guess it means into and out of the group me but come on be clear.

And they pat each other on the back in ways that can be gross. It’s rough for us waiting.
 
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For anyone here who is feeling overwhelmed by the anxiety of waitlist purgatory, I have a Waitlister's Tarot Reading for you today! I pulled these cards this morning. This spread is called, "Advice from the Universe."
Card 1 will tell you what you need to know: something significant to focus on in this situation.
Card 2 will give insight into a new perspective, what you may not be able to see.
Card 3 will suggest an action to take toward a favorable outcome.
*Disclaimer: These cards have no predictive, fortune-telling value. They are intended to prompt reflection and introspection. 🙂 Ok, let's begin.

Card 1: The Princess of Swords (the Page of Swords in the classic deck)
First, I was entertained by this card because it's literally the same card I drew yesterday, so apparently this really is the message I need for This Situation. First, the "swords" suit is associated with the domain of the mind - thoughts, ideas, and communication. This card suggests a time of preparation and excitement, as well as apprehension and nervousness. You're waiting for something to happen, so the card urges you to pay attention to the subtle messages surrounding you and to tune in to your intuition. If you get too bogged down in anxiety, desperation, or urgency, it will be harder to pay attention to your gut feelings that can give you guidance about how to best spend your energy right now. Be ready, but stay tuned in.

Card 2: Reversed Four of Cups
The "cups" suit is related to the domain of emotions and feelings. This card offers the perspective that dissatisfaction with your current situation cannot be solved by focusing on past events or replaying old stories. You can put your mind on loop about all the things you wish you had done differently for your application, but that won't help you right now. Don’t wait for your outer situation to change; change begins from within. You cannot see new opportunities if you are too focused on what is behind or in front of you. Be curious and open rather than getting hyperfocused on one possible outcome. You might end up happy with what happens, but maybe it won’t go like you expect. Being open to opportunities, even in the worst case scenario, will ensure that even if things don't go the way you want, you can still have a life full of meaning and value and that your time is not necessarily going to be wasted (even if you end up having to reapply).

Card 3: The Star
This is a Major Arcana card, which speaks to more significant life events than the suit cards. This card suggests that things have not been smooth sailing, but encourages you to find renewed hope. After the storm comes peace, and after the darkness comes light. The Star encourages you to have faith in your intuition and trust in your inner guide. You have access to a well of deep inner knowledge about your life that nobody else can tap. This knowledge can guide you toward opportunities and help you access creative flow. You can be confident in the future because you can be confident in your ability to listen to your intuition and make good choices in spite of whatever outcomes occur. For anyone here, I know you’re not super stoked with how things have played out, but you are learning and the future can be better than the road you’ve taken so far. I imagine for most of us it has not been an easy road and there have been many hurdles that you had to overcome that sometimes you only realized how big they were in hindsight. But this card encourages you to be hopeful, to recognize how far you've come and to let that support you in whatever comes next. Be confident in your ability to move forward and make a good life for yourself, whatever the outcome, and however long it takes.
 
ltina said:
I wish schools would prioritize making WL offers to people who aren't PTE'ed anywhere. I mean I guess everyone has a right to the best candidates but man it sucks 😢
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At the end of the day, everyone can only attend one school. So if they offered to someone PTE'ed somewhere, the person would have to decide to either give it up or reject the PTE'ed school, which would open up a spot either way. It just takes a bit longer for the process. It wouldn't be fair for people PTE'ed somewhere because of a variety of reasons but their top choice school prioritizes people that are.
 
Just curious if anyone knows the general trend for movement throughout the month of May? I know it varies a lot by school, but if there’s a lot of movement May 1 at a school, does that mean there’s a lower likelihood for additional movement later in the month?
 
zipper33 said:
Today’s my birthday, but id rather hear from schools than from my friends who i havent spoken to in like a year
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Happy birthday! Sending good vibes & positive thoughts your way
 
There appears to be a glitch in the CYMS tool for schools.
This is likely to slow processing of alternate lists until it is fixed.🙁
 
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gyngyn said:
There appears to be a glitch in the CYMS tool for schools.
This is likely to slow processing of alternate lists until it is fixed.
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Could I ask what the glitch is?
 
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what a bummer, but thank you for the heads up. Has AMCAS provided an ETA of when this should be resolved?
 
gyngyn said:
There appears to be a glitch in the CYMS tool for schools.
This is likely to slow processing of alternate lists until it is fixed.🙁
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Is it a school-specific issue or is it happening universally?
 
rsm151 said:
Are there any official sources that have reported the glitch?
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I looked on AAMC and they're not mentioning it, but probably hoping to try to iron things out first.
I have seen several applicants mention that schools they have an offer at are not appearing on the CYMS tool.
Also, I would consider @gyngyn to be an official source 😊
 
wysdoc said:
I looked on AAMC and they're not mentioning it, but probably hoping to try to iron things out first.
I have seen several applicants mention that schools they have an offer at are not appearing on the CYMS tool.
Also, I would consider @gyngyn to be an official source 😊
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Makes sense!

Haha I have not used SDN very much and forgot that there are verified admissions tags on users. Very used to assuming nothing about other posters
 
MD_CO27 said:
Is it a school-specific issue or is it happening universally?
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It is a general issue. They gave a phone number for a "work around!"
I'll post when they resolve the problem.
 
Does anyone know if USF has good waitlist movement? I was waitlisted 3/15 after my interview 3/2. Sent my LOI 4/6
 
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To add to the conversation about schools giving applicants more info about waitlist positions. I know of only 1 school that gives applicants a number rank and has a portal where the number updates in live time. While that might be a big ask for all schools, I don't think it is unreasonable to have some kind of priority system so that applicants know where they stand. Some schools have a tier or quartile system, where applicants will only find out which category they fall in. Other schools have a general waitlist but then some applicants are informed they are high priority, where people with priority status are essentially guaranteed to be looked as soon as seats become open. All this to say, some degree of transparency would be better than none at all.
 
TiramisuLover99 said:
To add to the conversation about schools giving applicants more info about waitlist positions. I know of only 1 school that gives applicants a number rank and has a portal where the number updates in live time. While that might be a big ask for all schools, I don't think it is unreasonable to have some kind of priority system so that applicants know where they stand. Some schools have a tier or quartile system, where applicants will only find out which category they fall in. Other schools have a general waitlist but then some applicants are informed they are high priority, where people with priority status are essentially guaranteed to be looked as soon as seats become open. All this to say, some degree of transparency would be better than none at all.
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+1
 
TiramisuLover99 said:
To add to the conversation about schools giving applicants more info about waitlist positions. I know of only 1 school that gives applicants a number rank and has a portal where the number updates in live time. While that might be a big ask for all schools, I don't think it is unreasonable to have some kind of priority system so that applicants know where they stand. Some schools have a tier or quartile system, where applicants will only find out which category they fall in. Other schools have a general waitlist but then some applicants are informed they are high priority, where people with priority status are essentially guaranteed to be looked as soon as seats become open. All this to say, some degree of transparency would be better than none at all.
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Absolutely. It’s inexcusable to have hundreds of people on an unranked waitlist…
 
Would it make any sense at this point to update the school I'm waitlisted about a new publication approval? Third author..
 
TiramisuLover99 said:
To add to the conversation about schools giving applicants more info about waitlist positions. I know of only 1 school that gives applicants a number rank and has a portal where the number updates in live time. While that might be a big ask for all schools, I don't think it is unreasonable to have some kind of priority system so that applicants know where they stand. Some schools have a tier or quartile system, where applicants will only find out which category they fall in. Other schools have a general waitlist but then some applicants are informed they are high priority, where people with priority status are essentially guaranteed to be looked as soon as seats become open. All this to say, some degree of transparency would be better than none at all.
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Yeah it makes basic things like getting a new job really hard unless I lie that I’m applying. No one wants to hire a person that might leave soon after. The timeline works for students who are coming right out of college but not for those who have leases, jobs, families/dependents, etc.
 
goldwind7 said:
Ideals like this are nice to think about, but tbh.....unrealistic. There are so many different schools with so many different systems, and selecting students/acceptances is an entirely subjective process - unfortunately buying into this application process means playing by their rules. In this case, waitlist procedures are their kingdom to control. There may be better options in how to handle this, but it's out of our hands 🤷🏻‍♀️ at least in the present tense, since we're in the thick of it. All we can do is our best and hope to god it's enough. Sending strength and patience to everyone here - manifesting that dream A!
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Medical schools are non-profits and they often claim how much they care about student wellness. Some of these huge unranked waitlists suggest differently.
 
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