Application On Hold: Nice Rejection vs. Possibility

[TayInTheWay]

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I have been receiving many emails from programs stating that all their interview slots are filled, and I will be contacted if a time slot opens up. Is this an amicable rejection? Should I maintain hope of actually receiving an invitation later in the season?

 

[amyl]

i think those are nice rejections...if you are really on their hold list i think they just don't say anything at this point and if some people cancel they will call you. but i don't really know, that is just what I am guessing....

 

[Trisomy13]

i think those are nice rejections...if you are really on their hold list i think they just don't say anything at this point and if some people cancel they will call you. but i don't really know, that is just what I am guessing....

when i applied i remember getting a couple of these letters and then receiving invites a month later. OHSU being one of them if i remember correctly. i would not consider them rejections so much as a message saying "maybe, but don't hold your breath."

 

[happyabe]

I find it funny that some programs are using this "gentle, let-down tactic." It's like being told, "You're good but not as good as others we prefer over you, so we will wait and see if they decline our offer first. If so, we'll choose you for an interview." The truth of the matter is, no one, especially a med student, likes to be second choice. If you don't offer one now, I probably have other choices and programs that want me. I don't know about you guys, but some programs (that I won't name) should just be frank and say, "Thank you for your interest, but we will not be able to interview you during this cycle." Cut the BS.
HA

 

[amyl]

i don't know about that.... i think some of the decisions to invite or not invite us are somewhat arbitrary. i know people who have essentially the same app as me numbers wise who have been rejected or waitlisted at programs i have been invited to....either these decisions are arbitrary or personal statements do make a difference (some of these decisions were even in before my lors were in). also, a friend who did average (500) on comlex with no usmle has been invited to a program i am waiting to hear from...i took usmle and was in the 90s. the process does seem somewhat random at times...one persons app gets read by one person on the committee and the next another....

 

[happyabe]

That doens't make it any more rational in my opinion.

 

[MedSchoolSLAKR]

It is exactly what it says it is. They are letting you know that their spots are currently filled, but if a spot opens up they will consider you. Let me assure you that those spots that open up will go to the people that let them know they WANT one of the open spots still.

No room for pride in this process.

 

[GasPrincess]

I've gotten a couple of those "gentle rejections." For the places I was really really really interested in, I was persistent. I'm happy to report that those places offered me interviews within the next day or within the week of my calling them. I think sincere interest in a program goes a long way. Also, interview offers are not over yet. Last years thread showed people receiving offers in January. I agree that there is no pride when it comes to your dream programs. I'm not going to let it bother me that I was wait-listed at a program that later offered an invite. I just plan to knock their socks off when I meet them, and leave no doubt in their mind that I belong there. So if you are very interested in a program, call them, and let them know you're interested! I had one PD tell me that because I called, my application stood out among a stack of 1000 applications. Good luck!

 

[anesguy1012]

I had one PD tell me that because I called, my application stood out among a stack of 1000 applications. Good luck!

Your application stood out among 1000 applications because you called?

Whatever.

 

[GasPrincess]

Your application stood out among 1000 applications because you called?

Whatever.

I'm just telling you what he told me, WORD FOR WORD. Who knows, he could have been pulling my chain, but no need to be harsh. Let's all try to stay positive here, and encourage each other. There's no need for any negativity with all the stress that all of us are under during interview season.

All I'm saying is that if you show genuine interest in a program by calling and emailing, usually it works out in your favor. Good luck to all!

 

[Curare]

Your application stood out among 1000 applications because you called?

Whatever.

I totally agree with GasPrincess. I called schools I was really interested in after they said they had filled up all their spots and they then gave me an interview after they reviewed or rereviewed my application. My impression from talking to them was that since I have no ties to the area they didn't even review my application. It might help that I have a 264 on step 2.

On another note I asked some of the bigger programs in the Southeast and West how many applications they received and they all said around 1000. They said usually they receive around 400 on a typical year.