Anyone get off of UMich waitlist last year?

[g8terboi]

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Well, I just saw on my status page the dreaded "on hold" alert. In a way, it feels worse than a rejection, since I have no idea what my chances of an interview are at this point. So, is the pre-interview on hold at Michigan more a less a polite rejection, or do they actually give interviews to those on hold?

 

[LoveableCoconut]

Hey g8terboi.

When were you complete?

 

[g8terboi]

around 9/11...I guess they made their "on hold" decision quick.

 

[wjustice]

Maybe being on hold is better than being "ready for preliminary review." That's where I've been for about a month and a half. Are other people still stuck at ready for review status?

 

[Ohiogeekgirl]

Maybe being on hold is better than being "ready for preliminary review." That's where I've been for about a month and a half. Are other people still stuck at ready for review status?

Me! And I called yesterday (about something else -- they hadn't listed one of my LORs). The person on the phone told me it might be a while before I get reviewed. I thought, "Gee, thanks for confirming my marginal status." I'm going to Ann Arbor in a few weeks to visit friends, I'm half tempted to camp out at the admissions office until they review me.

 

[g8terboi]

yeah i don't know if an early hold is a good or bad thing. So ironic, I was so happy with my MCAT score (37R), but now i wish i hade done a little better the MCAT (37R) since apparently you need a 38 to have a Michigan auto-invite.

 

[KublaiKhan]

Similar stats as you, also got the pre-interview hold yesterday. I doubt this means we are rejected, just that we won't be receiving interviews in this next round... at least thats what im telling myself.

 

[wjustice]

Me! And I called yesterday (about something else -- they hadn't listed one of my LORs). The person on the phone told me it might be a while before I get reviewed. I thought, "Gee, thanks for confirming my marginal status." I'm going to Ann Arbor in a few weeks to visit friends, I'm half tempted to camp out at the admissions office until they review me.

Hmm. . .Maybe I should check into that.

 

[muruKun]

yeah i don't know if an early hold is a good or bad thing. So ironic, I was so happy with my MCAT score (37R), but now i wish i hade done a little better the MCAT (37R) since apparently you need a 38 to have a Michigan auto-invite.

well, i dont think you need 38 for auto-invite. i had 37 and received auto-invite to michigan.

 

[g8terboi]

well, i dont think you need 38 for auto-invite. i had 37 and received auto-invite to michigan.

Really? Are you a michigan resident? I think their cutoffs are different for residents. Otherwise, maybe the undergraduate institution plays a factor.

 

[SBBunny]

I received the "on hold" this morning and I've been complete since 8/27. I just think of it as going from an informal hold to a formal hold. I imagine that Baylor has done the same thing (my obsessive status-checking revealed that Baylor reviewed my application weeks ago, but have not yet chosen to invite me to visit).

 

[muruKun]

Really? Are you a michigan resident? I think their cutoffs are different for residents. Otherwise, maybe the undergraduate institution plays a factor.

CA resident, went UCLA for UG

 

[drizzt3117]

The OOS cutoff for auto appears to be 3.8/36, and yes, the institution does play a role. I wouldn't worry so much about the hold status. My brother had hold status when he applied and eventually got accepted almost immediately after interviewing. It just means you didn't get selected to interview right away but if you look, there have been very few people reporting non-auto invites to UM (although there have been a disturbing amount of auto invites)

 

[g8terboi]

*

 

[2008applicant]

i got an early invite to mich and yes, the undergrad school seems to matter quite a bit. they sent all the interviewees PDFs with other interviewee's name/school/picture... pretty impressive array of schools ...lots from california (berkeley/stanford) for some reason

 

[maestro1625]

hold was pretty much a death sentence last year. Even those in the last group of interviews went from "ready for review" to "interview" with no hold in between.

 

[drizzt3117]

hold was pretty much a death sentence last year. Even those in the last group of interviews went from "ready for review" to "interview" with no hold in between.

That sort of doesn't make any sense unless the late applicants were much better than early ones. What would cause them to not review someone's app for months if they were complete in say, July, then offer them an interview? Obviously they have at least given it a cursory glance.

For the people who are "ready for review", did UM request LORs?

 

[neurofreak]

what does "Your file is under review" really mean? I've been at this stage for the last 6 weeks....is this status sort of like the ambiguious "review" status for amcas processing?

 

[BrokenGlass]

i got an early invite to mich and yes, the undergrad school seems to matter quite a bit. they sent all the interviewees PDFs with other interviewee's name/school/picture... pretty impressive array of schools ...lots from california (berkeley/stanford) for some reason

I didn't know about U of Michigan liking Stanford students, but they definitely love UCLA and Berkeley students (probably because like U of Michigan, UCLA and Berkeley are top public schools). Look at U of Michigan's web site. UCLA and Berkeley peeople are very well represented in the entering class...

 

[starlight04]

i'm on hold too. 🙁🙁🙁

after a whirlwind of interview invites, this week has just given me a rejection and a hold (complete 9/14, hold 9/27). 👎thumbdown

 

[CoolSpot7Up]

i've been complete and ready for preliminary review since the end of july and have heard nothing since. 😕

 

[Ohiogeekgirl]

For the people who are "ready for review", did UM request LORs?

Not from me, and I am in the 'Ready for Preliminary Review' category...

 

[div0t17]

"on hold" is much different than the wait list...people got off the hold list last year, but not the waitlist. they actually had to "encourage" people to defer a year because too many people wanted to go. they even accepted the fewest number of people they ever have for a class of 170. so who knows?

 

[SpyPuts]

Since 9/4, my status remains:

Evaluation(s)/Recommendation(s) - Complete
Your file is under review. Reviews may take.....

Don't know if this is helpful to anyone, but there you go. I guess it's comforting not to have been placed on hold, but this is like 3+ committee meetings that, I assume, result in holds, no status changes, or interview invitations.

Oh well.

 

[div0t17]

Preliminary review for 2 months now. 2. GRR.

 

[maestro1625]

That sort of doesn't make any sense unless the late applicants were much better than early ones. What would cause them to not review someone's app for months if they were complete in say, July, then offer them an interview? Obviously they have at least given it a cursory glance.

For the people who are "ready for review", did UM request LORs?

you're forgetting the fact that UMich gives away a very large percentage of its interviews very early in the game. Lots of people with high stats will apply late.

so in other words, yes it is the case that late applicants were better than early ones.

 

[BMBPSU2008]

I called too. I started off with "I was just wondering my application status. I have been complete for two months (since july 15th), and it still says "Ready for Preliminary Review".

She said "And you could be waiting another two months before hearing anything". We have 4,500 applications and expect 2,000 more (blah blah... some scripted response).

I was like.. "Oh, ok, thank you."

My application could be in the rejection pile and I wouldn't even know it.

 

[drizzt3117]

you're forgetting the fact that UMich gives away a very large percentage of its interviews very early in the game. Lots of people with high stats will apply late.

so in other words, yes it is the case that late applicants were better than early ones.

That wasn't my point. I was wondering why some people were reviewed earlier and others weren't? It seems weird that people would be on ready for preliminary review for months. I suppose if LORs weren't requested, that means it's likely a rejection, but if not, I guess I'm not sure why they wouldn't review the app unless it was a rejection.

 

[BrokenGlass]

That wasn't my point. I was wondering why some people were reviewed earlier and others weren't? It seems weird that people would be on ready for preliminary review for months. I suppose if LORs weren't requested, that means it's likely a rejection, but if not, I guess I'm not sure why they wouldn't review the app unless it was a rejection.

It's possible that the date your file is read is not the same date reported on the website when you check your status. They could be reading personal statements and making decisions based on them. That would explain why some people with high numbers who applied early don't get interviews...

I am sure all med schools are very tight-lipped about their decision making process. If they advertised their process, people will start tailoring their lives to what they think adcoms are looking for and there would be no diversity, i.e. everybody (with given numbers) would be more or less the same.

 

[drizzt3117]

I am sure all med schools are very tight-lipped about their decision making process. If they advertised their process, people will start tailoring their lives to what they think adcoms are looking for and there would be no diversity, i.e. everybody (with given numbers) would be more or less the same.

I think this is generally true, but UM supposedly prides itself on the "transparency" of their admissions process, per an interview with the dean. I'm totally not surprised or upset at being on hold at a top ten school. I'm just curious why some people are "ready for review" and their files aren't reviewed for months. If that was the sign of a rejection, then fine, but if THOSE are the people that are getting late interviews as opposed to new applicants or the people on hold then I'm wondering why that would happen.

 

[maestro1625]

I think this is generally true, but UM supposedly prides itself on the "transparency" of their admissions process, per an interview with the dean. I'm totally not surprised or upset at being on hold at a top ten school. I'm just curious why some people are "ready for review" and their files aren't reviewed for months. If that was the sign of a rejection, then fine, but if THOSE are the people that are getting late interviews as opposed to new applicants or the people on hold then I'm wondering why that would happen.

I think it has to do with the fact that those "ready for review" simply haven't been reviewed yet. They don't seem to follow any order for when they look at your file...just pull ones out of a hat.

 

[enigma85]

D'oh....

Was "Recommendations received" for 2 months, now "On hold"

 

[BMBPSU2008]

I think it has to do with the fact that those "ready for review" simply haven't been reviewed yet. They don't seem to follow any order for when they look at your file...just pull ones out of a hat.

Then what is the point of rolling admissions? There is more method to their madness then they tell us.

 

[starlight04]

im a little bit upset about the "hold" because i really wanted to visit Ann Arbor. i guess i shouldn't complain since UMich is a top 10 school and my numbers arent amazing, but i am wondering whether they even read my secondary (i think i was officially "complete" less than a week ago).

they requested recommendations in mid-late august and those got there promptly, but maybe i took too long sending in my secondary? maybe they read my primary, hated it, and never bothered looking at my secondary? 🙁

i dont know what my chances are now of getting off hold, but it doesnt look too good. i have no idea why people who were complete as early as july still havent gotten a status change, but i guess no news is better than "hold" news

 

[wjustice]

Well, I called the office yesterday because I still had "ready for review" more than 1.5 months after submitting my secondary. I didn't get that clear of an answer, but it sounded like just because your application said "ready for review," didn't mean that it hadn't been reviewed. The woman I spoke with told me it just means that no decision has been made on my application. Which could mean re-review at a later point. Or maybe it means--although they didn't say this--that they've decided to reject me but don't want to break the good news until later. I really have no clue, I guess. But "ready for review" could mean that you have in fact been reviewed.

 

[maestro1625]

im a little bit upset about the "hold" because i really wanted to visit Ann Arbor. i guess i shouldn't complain since UMich is a top 10 school and my numbers arent amazing, but i am wondering whether they even read my secondary (i think i was officially "complete" less than a week ago).

they requested recommendations in mid-late august and those got there promptly, but maybe i took too long sending in my secondary? maybe they read my primary, hated it, and never bothered looking at my secondary? 🙁

i dont know what my chances are now of getting off hold, but it doesnt look too good. i have no idea why people who were complete as early as july still havent gotten a status change, but i guess no news is better than "hold" news

well I'll sum up Ann Arbor: take Madison. Get rid of the lakes and hills, downgrade the aesthetics of the buildings, add pretentiousness, and you have ann arbor.

...saved you the trip right there.

 

[maestro1625]

Well, I called the office yesterday because I still had "ready for review" more than 1.5 months after submitting my secondary. I didn't get that clear of an answer, but it sounded like just because your application said "ready for review," didn't mean that it hadn't been reviewed. The woman I spoke with told me it just means that no decision has been made on my application. Which could mean re-review at a later point. Or maybe it means--although they didn't say this--that they've decided to reject me but don't want to break the good news until later. I really have no clue, I guess. But "ready for review" could mean that you have in fact been reviewed.

probably true... pretty much nullifies the purpose of "hold". typical.

 

[starlight04]

well I'll sum up Ann Arbor: take Madison. Get rid of the lakes and hills, downgrade the aesthetics of the buildings, add pretentiousness, and you have ann arbor.

...saved you the trip right there.

Now I need to take a trip to Madison. 😉

 

[maestro1625]

Now I need to take a trip to Madison. 😉

it's much more worth it... just don't go in the winter.

 

[drizzt3117]

it's much more worth it... just don't go in the winter.

Heh QFT... Madison is a beautiful city (I grew up there) but winters can be... unpleasant.

 

[ilyahim]

Is there such thing as a post-interview hold? When I interviewed, the admissions committee told all of the applicants that we would find out our status--be it acceptance, deferral, waitlist, or rejection--by Oct. 15th. My status page hasn't been updated since, and I haven't received a single email. What is happening? Should I call the committee?

 

[Monarch Kong]

well, i dont think you need 38 for auto-invite. i had 37 and received auto-invite to michigan.

I had a 36 and got an auto-invite. Not sure if it's just numbers tho, I swore I saw an mdapps where someone had better stats than mine and without a UMich interview.

 

[spanamit]

I had a 36 and got an auto-invite. Not sure if it's just numbers tho, I swore I saw an mdapps where someone had better stats than mine and without a UMich interview.

When I interviewed there, they explained the concept of Auto-invites in great details. Three things are needed:
1) GPA > a certain cutoff
2) MCAT > a certain cutoff
3) Undergrad school must be on the "list"!

The third requirement is the one most people don't understand. You could have a 4.0/40 and still not have an auto-invite because your school name might not be on the "list." The "list" includes schools like Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Berkeley etc.

Another point to be noted is that the cutoffs are different for in-state vs. out -of-state. I know all of this for sure because I interviewed there (and got accepted on Oct 15!).

I LOVE UMich.

 

[Monarch Kong]

When I interviewed there, they explained the concept of Auto-invites in great details. Three things are needed:
1) GPA > a certain cutoff
2) MCAT > a certain cutoff
3) Undergrad school must be on the "list"!

The third requirement is the one most people don't understand. You could have a 4.0/40 and still not have an auto-invite because your school name might not be on the "list." The "list" includes schools like Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Berkeley etc.

Another point to be noted is that the cutoffs are different for in-state vs. out -of-state. I know all of this for sure because I interviewed there (and got accepted on Oct 15!).

I LOVE UMich.

Wow, they're so open to explain that to you guys. So that means UT Austin is on the "list". My ego is sufficiently stroked.

 

[doinmybest5840]

My status is still "Ready for preliminary review" more than 3 months after being complete, so I emailed them last night. I just mentioned it'd been a while since I heard anything, and I know they're very busy, but I wanted to make sure they had everything and nothing was misplaced. They responded at 6:45 this morning with one sentence about this being a lengthy process and asking for my patience. They didn't even mention whether they had everything, so I guess I'll assume they do...?

 

[Oasis]

Did everyone who got put on 'hold' get a request for their letters of recommendation? I was never asked to submit mine and I still got put on hold.