Any others decent applicants with no acceptances yet?

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Emerge NC

Emerge NC

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Hey guys, just looking for some commonality for others on here that are stuck in limbo with me that consider themselves to be deserving at least one acceptance by now! 3.8 GPA with a 32 MCAT, 500+ hours of work and volunteering as an EMT, lots of shadowing and strong LOR. I have had 4 interviews so far, 3 were back in October. I thought all my interviews went really well. Alas I have gotten 2 waitlists, and haven't heard back from 2 others post interview. All the rest of the schools I applied to were rejections, and I applied to 16 mid-tier schools. Feeling really bummed out, starting to look at other options, masters programs, scribe jobs etc. How are you all staying sane at this point in the game?
 
Emerge NC said:
Hey guys, just looking for some commonality for others on here that are stuck in limbo with me that consider themselves to be deserving at least one acceptance by now! 3.8 GPA with a 32 MCAT, 500+ hours of work and volunteering as an EMT, lots of shadowing and strong LOR. I have had 4 interviews so far, 3 were back in October. I thought all my interviews went really well. Alas I have gotten 2 waitlists, and haven't heard back from 2 others post interview. All the rest of the schools I applied to were rejections, and I applied to 16 mid-tier schools. Feeling really bummed out, starting to look at other options, masters programs, scribe jobs etc. How are you all staying sane at this point in the game?
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I'm not sure about this but I have a hunch that many schools ignore highly qualified applicants to target ones who may fit/want to go to their school. If I were an adcom I would do this. This might even be why @LizzyM tells us to apply to schools a little above our LizzyM scores too. I would also, however, look back at those overqualified applicants when I'm looking for last minute openings (whenever schools see other acceptances applicants receive) and invite them for an interview if I've seen that they've fallen through the cracks because 1. It's just heart breaking to have to re-apply with OPs stats and 2. It's smart because if these applicants don't have many acceptance, they'd definitely be willing to attend a lower tier school 🙂
 
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OP converted 25% of the applications to interviews and now needs to convert at least 25% of the interivews to acceptances.

I suspect that many schools will make offers to the "highly desirable" pool and wait for the dust to settle. At that point, the "acceptable" candidates will be used to fill in the gaps left because the highly sought after can, in the end, only attend one school even if they have eight offers.
 
Continue to send update letters and letters of interests to show that you want to get off those waitlists.
 
Emerge NC said:
Hey guys, just looking for some commonality for others on here that are stuck in limbo with me that consider themselves to be deserving at least one acceptance by now! 3.8 GPA with a 32 MCAT, 500+ hours of work and volunteering as an EMT, lots of shadowing and strong LOR. I have had 4 interviews so far, 3 were back in October. I thought all my interviews went really well. Alas I have gotten 2 waitlists, and haven't heard back from 2 others post interview. All the rest of the schools I applied to were rejections, and I applied to 16 mid-tier schools. Feeling really bummed out, starting to look at other options, masters programs, scribe jobs etc. How are you all staying sane at this point in the game?
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I'm basically in the same situation. I have competitive numbers, good/great ECs, pretty good LORs. 5 interviews resulting in 3 WL and 2 no-decisions. Feeling bummed but hopeful, and keeping my other options open as well. Oh, and drafting update letters 😉
 
It has been stated previously on SDN, that, assuming you have competitive stats/EC's, if you get 3 or more interviews and not one of them gets you a mid-late season acceptance at the latest, chances are you are a poor interviewer/your interviews are not going as well as you think they are. You may not be reading your interviewer properly, you may not be self-aware of off-putting behavior or comments you may make, you make not be coming off as the person you said you are in your application. Re-evaluate how you are interviewing if you are in this position.
 
Right there with ya, OP. 3.65 c/3.55 sGPA with a strong upward trend, balanced 36 MCAT, 500+ total hours of hospital work, 100+ being volunteer work. Four interviews so far, two ended with rejection, and I'm still waiting on decisions from the more recent pair. I have a fifth one coming up in about a week, so I'm trying to keep my hopes up. Everyday I wind up getting just a little more stressed and a little less hopeful though.
 
Emerge NC said:
I would agree with what your saying if I didn't get the complete opposite opinion from my interviewers. At my first interview my interviewer told me at the end that he thinks I would be a fantastic addition at the school and that he was going to go to the ADCOM and advocate me as best as he could! At my 3rd interview, my interviewer told me he was very impressed with my application, and he thought my biggest issue is going to be choosing between all my acceptances! They actually said these things verbatim, yet I still got waitlisted... Mixed messages much?
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That's called being polite.
You should also be aware of the fact that they are not the only person who has a say in your admissions decision, and it is not just the time you spend in your interview room that counts. It's the whole day. The secretaries you talk to, the cab driver you might have stiffed on a tip, the person on your tour that you didn't hold a door open for. You are being watched CONSTANTLY at an interview day, keep in mind. Also, that's just 2 of the 4 interviews it sounds like. Overenthusiasm from your interview can sometimes be overcompensation for "I actually don't care about your application, but want you to feel good because you've spent so much time and effort to be here today." I wouldn't take some minor postivie feedback at the end of an interview as a sure fire sign that you're doing things right. Then again, I'm a pretty freaking calculating person.
 
baconshrimps said:
That's called being polite.
You should also be aware of the fact that they are not the only person who has a say in your admissions decision, and it is not just the time you spend in your interview room that counts. It's the whole day. The secretaries you talk to, the cab driver you might have stiffed on a tip, the person on your tour that you didn't hold a door open for. You are being watched CONSTANTLY at an interview day, keep in mind. Also, that's just 2 of the 4 interviews it sounds like. Overenthusiasm from your interview can sometimes be overcompensation for "I actually don't care about your application, but want you to feel good because you've spent so much time and effort to be here today." I wouldn't take some minor postivie feedback at the end of an interview as a sure fire sign that you're doing things right. Then again, I'm a pretty freaking calculating person.
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I think this is a bit of hyperbole. I see the point you are making, but I'm chuckling imagining the school fielding calls from cab drivers all day to make sure that all their applicants tipped well. Adcoms in a top secret security centre watching all applicants on camera and slashing names off the list as doors aren't held. I do agree that just because the interviewer said you would make a great addition, etc. doesn't necessarily mean too much. The important thing to keep in mind is that you're being compared to everyone else, so it's not just as simple as "I had a good interview, so I'll get an acceptance".

Having said all that, I'm in a similar boat. ~15 applications, 2 interviews 2 waitlists. 3.9 GPA 36 MCAT (though I'm Canadian).
 
The cab thing was for emphasis, not to be taken literally. C'mon man.


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Same boat.

4IIs but only WLs and no acceptance.
 
3.4/40
Research pubs.
MS in Biochem to be complete in the next 3 months.

No acceptances.
 
exercisemed said:
3.95, 37 MCAT, applied to 22 schools but no acceptances yet.
10 II (8 ranked in US news top 15).
4 Post-Interview Decisions: 3 WL, 1 rejection
Still waiting on 6 schools post-interview...
I am cautiously optimistic.
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I bet my arm and leg you'll get something.
 
3.6/3.7, 38 MCAT, just one MD interview now waitlisted - I have a DO acceptance however so I am not as worried
 
3.4/36
3 ii 2 Waitlist 1 decision deferred
I'm weirded out by how all my backups rejected me and I interviewed at reach schools
 
Roshan said:
3.6/3.7, 38 MCAT, just one MD interview now waitlisted - I have a DO acceptance however so I am not as worried
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Wow - that is surprising. Did you apply outside of CA? Submit AMCAS late? Any red flags? It seems like you should have at least received a good handful of interviews based on your stats.

-Bill
 
I creep through the forums all the time, and never felt the need to make a post until I saw this thread. 3.88 GPA, 34 MCAT. 4 interviews and 4 waitlists... so I feel your pain. I would not say you are a poor interviewer. If you received good feedback, I'm sure they meant it. I feel that I interview well, regardless of my lack of acceptances. I'm feeling bummed as well, but all we can do is be patient at this point. I also think that sincere LOIs can do some good (depending on the school), and writing one does not make you desperate in the least.
 
What states are you guys from? I know California is a notoriously difficult state for med school apps, but anyone from a more forgiving area with no acceptances?
 
3.8 GPA 38 MCAT
Applied 15. 15 II's
Only 3 interviews: 1 accept, 1 rejected and waiting for UCLA. (Has anyone heard back ?!)
 
Pipian said:
3.8 GPA 38 MCAT
Applied 15. 15 II's
Only 3 interviews: 1 accept, 1 rejected and waiting for UCLA. (Has anyone heard back ?!)
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in the UCLA thread, quite a few people have heard back, including people who got the full ride scholarship
 
3.75 GPA, 34 MCAT, strong research, ivy league school. No acceptances doe...
 
3.9/36 5 interviews 2 rejection 2 waitlists 1 silence.. 😢
 
gyngyn said:
How would you interpret a nonbinding promise from a desperate applicant?
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I believe Nemo was referring to letters of interest, not intent. If an applicant just says,"I will come to your school if you accept me," then yes, I would imagine it to be worthless. However, are you suggesting that a school would not look more favorably upon one wait listed applicant who reflects thoughtfully upon the application process and why that school in particular would be a good fit compared to another applicant who has a similar score but does not maintain any further contact with the school?

It shows that the applicant is a motivated and would likely attend. I'm not saying it'll make a huge difference most of the time, but like thank-you notes, can make the difference to one adcom member's mind - and that may be all that's required. Of course, you have more experience, so please do let me know if you think I'm too optimistic.
 
Would a letter of intent be treated as a letter of interest? or lower because it's a sign of desperation?
 
Stabley17 said:
I believe Nemo was referring to letters of interest, not intent. If an applicant just says,"I will come to your school if you accept me," then yes, I would imagine it to be worthless. However, are you suggesting that a school would not look more favorably upon one wait listed applicant who reflects thoughtfully upon the application process and why that school in particular would be a good fit compared to another applicant who has a similar score but does not maintain any further contact with the school?

It shows that the applicant is a motivated and would likely attend. I'm not saying it'll make a huge difference most of the time, but like thank-you notes, can make the difference to one adcom member's mind - and that may be all that's required. Of course, you have more experience, so please do let me know if you think I'm too optimistic.
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These letters, if solicited, can be helpful when the applicant is holding an acceptance at another fine school and the moment to pull from the waitlist has arrived. If the applicant is not holding an acceptance, the admissions officer does not need a "LOI" of either type to know the the candidate is motivated.

Similarly, a poorly timed "LOI" has little effect.
 
chillaxbro said:
Would a letter of intent be treated as a letter of interest? or lower because it's a sign of desperation?
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If you are holding no acceptances one can reasonably assume (even without a "LOI") that you will be interested in an acceptance. If you are holding multiple acceptances and would prefer a school where you are on the waitlist, a well timed communication could be helpful at schools with unranked waitlists.
 
gyngyn said:
If you are holding no acceptances one can reasonably assume (even without a "LOI") that you will be interested in an acceptance. If you are holding multiple acceptances and would prefer a school where you are on the waitlist, a well timed communication could be helpful at schools with unranked waitlists.
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I see what you're saying, but I thought schools can't see your acceptances until the May deadline?
 
drdea said:
I see what you're saying, but I thought schools can't see your acceptances until the May deadline?
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Oh, no. We can already see where accepted candidates are holding and the waitlister's acceptances will probably be visible later this month.
 
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gyngyn said:
Oh no. We can already see where accepted candidates are holding and the waitlist will probably be visible later this month.
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Ohhh ok! That definitely changes things then 🙈
 
gyngyn said:
Oh no. We can already see where accepted candidates are holding and the waitlister's acceptances will probably be visible later this month.
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Oh wow, that seems early. Mind sharing when schools had this data available to them?
 
@gyngyn, how does that work? Med schools see where you, an accepted student, are also accepted? Is that only other acceptances, or all results including WL, rejections, and silent rejections? Do they know before they accept? What if the school rejects the applicant? Does the school see how else you did? And when the applicant is waitlisted: do all the schools see that, or only the others who also waitlisted? I wonder if a schools' pattern of 'silent rejection' is well known.
 
ThisCouldBeYou said:
@gyngyn, how does that work? Med schools see where you, an accepted student, are also accepted? Is that only other acceptances, or all results including WL, rejections, and silent rejections? Do they know before they accept? What if the school rejects the applicant? Does the school see how else you did? And when the applicant is waitlisted: do all the schools see that, or only the others who also waitlisted? I wonder if a schools' pattern of 'silent rejection' is well known.
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The multiple acceptance list was early this year so, yes, we can now see where students we have accepted are also holding acceptances. We will shortly be able to see where our waitlisted candidates are holding acceptances. We cannot see where you have applied, been waitlisted or rejected. We cannot see your data until we have made a decision on your application (before matriculation).

I'm not sure I understand your last sentence.
 
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Thanks for answering my question above. It's interesting to know that schools can get so much information. I never expected that. I suppose that same practice also occurs during the college admission process.

I wonder if a schools' pattern of 'silent rejection' is well known.
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Oh sorry. It seems to me that if schools can see acceptances, waitlists, and rejections, they may also see a list of schools that have not decided (i.e. silent rejections). After awhile, those on an admissions committee may know already which schools have a pattern of silent rejections. (Too bad we applicants don't know that pattern.)
 
ThisCouldBeYou said:
Thanks for answering my question above. It's interesting to know that schools can get so much information. I never expected that. I suppose that same practice also occurs during the college admission process.

Oh sorry. It seems to me that if schools can see acceptances, waitlists, and rejections, they may also see a list of schools that have not decided (i.e. silent rejections). After awhile, those on an admissions committee may know already which schools have a pattern of silent rejections. (Too bad we applicants don't know that pattern.)
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We can't see other schools' waitlists or rejections and therefore "silent rejections" have no effect on our assessment of the candidate.
 
gyngyn said:
If you are holding no acceptances one can reasonably assume (even without a "LOI") that you will be interested in an acceptance. If you are holding multiple acceptances and would prefer a school where you are on the waitlist, a well timed communication could be helpful at schools with unranked waitlists.
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gyngyn said:
a poorly timed "LOI" has little effect.
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1) Do I interpret it correctly that schools are more likely to accept from their wait list people who don't have any acceptances at the moment than those who already do? (it does seem fair to people who have no acceptances at the moment)
2) Do I understand it correctly that letters of interest are most useful if you're accepted somewhere adcoms may think you're more likely to attend? Say, if you're accepted to your well regarded state school and/or to higher ranked schools than the one you're wait listed at, but really want to attend the one that wait listed you, then a letter of interest to that school may help?
3) What exactly is good timing for sending a LOI? Post-decision and pre-May 15th? (I've heard that sending a LOI before decisions are released may backfire because adcoms don't like being pressured.)

Thank you for your answers here and elsewhere!
 
Amygdarya said:
1) Do I interpret it correctly that schools are more likely to accept from their wait list people who don't have any acceptances at the moment than those who already do? (it does seem fair to people who have no acceptances at the moment)
2) Do I understand it correctly that letters of interest are most useful if you're accepted somewhere adcoms may think you're more likely to attend? Say, if you're accepted to your well regarded state school and/or to higher ranked schools than the one you're wait listed at, but really want to attend the one that wait listed you, then a letter of interest to that school may help?
3) What exactly is good timing for sending a LOI? Post-decision and pre-May 15th? (I've heard that sending a LOI before decisions are released may backfire because adcoms don't like being pressured.)

Thank you for your answers here and elsewhere!
Click to expand...
1: Those with mutiple accepts will be called just as quickly as those holding nowhere depending on the schools where the candidate is accepted. It will become fair to those holding nowhere when the donor school then pulls from their waitlist until all schools down the line are filled.
2/3. The best time to communicate is right when the school is beginning to draw from the waitlist (especially if you are holding at another very fine school!), certainly not before a decision has been made. There is no advantage to a "LOI" if you are holding no accepts.
I am aware of no schools that draw from a true waitlist before traffic day (May 15th) though I suppose it's possible.
 
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