4 Waitlists, how to proceed?

[Jeanne d'Arc]

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[Goro]

SMP with good linkage.

 

[mm5869]

have you tried contacting the 4 schools to see what they felt were the weaknesses in your application?

i feel like rolling with their guidance could make things easier, instead of presuming that it's one thing or another.

 

[Jeanne d'Arc]

have you tried contacting the 4 schools to see what they felt were the weaknesses in your application?

i feel like rolling with their guidance could make things easier, instead of presuming that it's one thing or another.

1 sort of hinted MCAT, the other 3 did not give me an answer as to why. One of those 3 said it only will do that to students who actually got rejected.

 

[Jeanne d'Arc]

SMP with good linkage.

Would a DIY-PB suffice or what makes an SMP more optimal? I am merely weighing the options here before committing to a path. MCAT retake is technically an option but I want to see every path I can take first. Also what updates do you think can help someone get out of a waitlist?

 

[mm5869]

1 sort of hinted MCAT, the other 3 did not give me an answer as to why. One of those 3 said it only will do that to students who actually got rejected.

gotcha. well, with such early II's, i think there is decent hope you get off of one of these waitlists. best of luck!

 

[Doc_Ock]

That MCAT is your Achilles Heel. I agree with Goro, look into an SMP with strong linkage (i.e. not just an interview)

 

[Goro]

Would a DIY-PB suffice or what makes an SMP more optimal? I am merely weighing the options here before committing to a path. MCAT retake is technically an option but I want to see every path I can take first. Also what updates do you think can help someone get out of a waitlist?

Not with that MCAT score

 

[DocSherman]

That MCAT is your Achilles Heel. I agree with Goro, look into an SMP with strong linkage (i.e. not just an interview)

Just to chime in, I wonder why the schools would've chosen to interview the person if he / she had a MCAT they didn't prefer.

While I'm not a bonafide expert on the interview process, wouldn't the applicant have been chosen for potential admittance with the numbers already known? In other words, would GPA and MCAT still have sway on the interview or would a waitlist / acceptance / rejection would just depend on the interview content itself, which isn't necessarily fully academic?

I'm just asking because my record is also on a iffy end, though I did score IIs as well. Thus, I could also be a candidate for waitlisting pretty easily since my strength lies more in softer things - work history.

 

[Calizboosted76]

Just to chime in, I wonder why the schools would've chosen to interview the person if he / she had a MCAT they didn't prefer.

While I'm not a bonafide expert on the interview process, wouldn't the applicant have been chosen for potential admittance with the numbers already known? In other words, would GPA and MCAT still have sway on the interview or would a waitlist / acceptance / rejection would just depend on the interview content itself, which isn't necessarily fully academic?

I'm just asking because my record is also on a iffy end, though I did score IIs as well. Thus, I could also be a candidate for waitlisting pretty easily since my strength lies more in softer things - work history.

Numbers still play a role in the decision, even AFTER an interview.

Getting an interview as a low stats applicant simply means that you need to go in there and rock the interviewers socks off. Even still, you may be rejected or waitlisted due to the ADCOMS pverall decision, or even Deans decision for that matter (even with an interviewer saying you were great).

Nothing is guaranteed and there should always be a plan B.

 

[DocSherman]

Numbers still play a role in the decision, even AFTER an interview.

Getting an interview as a low stats applicant simply means that you need to go in there and rock the interviewers socks off. Even still, you may be rejected or waitlisted due to the ADCOMS pverall decision, or even Deans decision for that matter (even with an interviewer saying you were great).

Nothing is guaranteed and there should always be a plan B.

Damn. That personally concerns me because my numbers are low. I was even shocked I got a II from a particular school because I fall below its standards.

I think I have a good chance of ending up with waitlists too -_-.

 

[Angus Avagadro]

499 is 49th percentile. Not a score to cause you to stand out. Didnt see the breakdown either. If CARS was quite low in addition to the score, could be a waitlist factor. Its competerive and 499 is well below most schools metrics. Do some sub 500 MCAT applications get in, yes, but they also have some other extraordinary aspect to their app. Former pro athlete, former paramedic on Mt Everest expedition, etc.

 

[DocSherman]

499 is 49th percentile. Not a score to cause you to stand out. Didnt see the breakdown either. If CARS was quite low in addition to the score, could be a waitlist factor. Its competerive and 499 is well below most schools metrics. Do some sub 500 MCAT applications get in, yes, but they also have some other extraordinary aspect to their app. Former pro athlete, former paramedic on Mt Everest expedition, etc.

It’s true that it isn’t super fantastic, but then why did the person get an interview in the first place?

If the score was really that much of a red flag, wouldn’t that have excluded the student from even getting an interview?

 

[Angus Avagadro]

Hard to know without reviewing the entire app. Could be from an elite undergrad, prior military service, former career, etc. MCAT isn't everything, but still is very important. OPs interview may not have gone well either. Face it. With similar apps, one with a 499 and another with a 509, who do you take? It's a complex decision based on the app and the interview.

 

[DocSherman]

Hard to know without reviewing the entire app. Could be from an elite undergrad, prior military service, former career, etc. MCAT isn't everything, but still is very important. OPs interview may not have gone well either. Face it. With similar apps, one with a 499 and another with a 509, who do you take? It's a complex decision based on the app and the interview.

True. I wish I can drop-kick my younger self for futzing my record.

 

[Mr. Babe]

What schools did you apply to?

 

[Jeanne d'Arc]

What schools did you apply to?

Quite a lot, mostly the lower MCAT ones. I just am afraid this year the schools over accept and wont pull from waitlist.

 

[DO2015CA]

Quite a lot, mostly the lower MCAT ones. I just am afraid this year the schools over accept and wont pull from waitlist.

They’ll pull from the waitlist but how much is yet to be seen. If you are on 4 then I still feel like this is likely to happen for you. Yes it’s a crazy year that’s so odd but 4 is still a lot of waitlists. Best of luck!

 

[Mr. Babe]

Quite a lot, mostly the lower MCAT ones. I just am afraid this year the schools over accept and wont pull from waitlist.

Which schools are you on the waitlist for?

 

[Jeanne d'Arc]

Which schools are you on the waitlist for?

ICOM ARCOM MUCOM CHSU and I surprisingly got 1 more interview in Jan 22 which most likely will be a waitlist if not R. Odd that 5 schools want to interview me but none accept. You would expect at least one...

 

[PapaGuava]

ICOM ARCOM MUCOM CHSU and I surprisingly got 1 more interview in Jan 22 which most likely will be a waitlist if not R. Odd that 5 schools want to interview me but none accept. You would expect at least one...

I know MUCOM pulls from the waitlist pretty well each year. Also, being on 4 lists alone increases your chances by a lot.

 

[DO2015CA]

ICOM ARCOM MUCOM CHSU and I surprisingly got 1 more interview in Jan 22 which most likely will be a waitlist if not R. Odd that 5 schools want to interview me but none accept. You would expect at least one...

This hints to its your interview. Kinda rule of thumb is more than 1-2 WL then it’s your interview skills.

 

[Jeanne d'Arc]

This hints to its your interview. Kinda rule of thumb is more than 1-2 WL then it’s your interview skills.

What is the best way to go about this? I do public speaking and debate and am a full extrovert, so I am not sure how I would approach interviews since I never had interview issues.

 

[DO2015CA]

What is the best way to go about this? I do public speaking and debate and am a full extrovert, so I am not sure how I would approach interviews since I never had interview issues.

Well it’s most likely mixed with your app. Like a 499 and 3.56 is a lowly competitive app. So if you have a marginal or bad interview that’ll land you on a WL a lot of time. It might not be bad but if it’s not memorable then your stats could land you on the WL

 

[Jeanne d'Arc]

Well it’s most likely mixed with your app. Like a 499 and 3.56 is a lowly competitive app. So if you have a marginal or bad interview that’ll land you on a WL a lot of time. It might not be bad but if it’s not memorable then your stats could land you on the WL

Makes sense, time for another cycle.

 

[DO2015CA]

Makes sense, time for another cycle.

Not necessarily! You have 1 more interview and 4 WL! They saw something in your app they liked. Too many interviews to not. It’s still early to be pulling off the waitlist. Practice for your next interview, know your app, and nail the interview. Fwiw most DOs want to push primary care so in the interview don’t talk about wanting to be some specialist. If you have no interest in primary care at least say you are open to it