Hey guys...dont let the numbers here on SDN scare you. You will get your acceptances, but later on down the road (as I am hoping I will). The cycle lasts a long, long time (I wasnt waitlisted at NYU until June 1 last cycle...also waitlisted at SIU, in March). One thing to keep in mind is....these schools give out all of their initial spots to the people with crazy numbers (December 1st is a numbers game, dont let anyone tell you otherwise) on December 1. As these people decide where they want to go, things even out a lot in terms of numbers, etc. I have a feeling that while admission committees still concern themselves primarily with numbers down the road, they also place more of an emphasis on personal statement, LORs, etc. If you look at the averages in the admissions books of each school, they all arent astronomical. Thing is, later on the everything evens out and all the schools that want to have all their class average to have 20+ DAT and 3.5+ GPA cannot do so (due to being forced to choose among those with more "normal" numbers....those who had the high numbers are usually already taken).
In any case, I went down to Southern Illinois yesterday and almost felt as if my interviewer could care less that I was there and told me "to not expect a December acceptance." Apparently, at this school (which scores consistently in the top 5 on NBDE I and II) they wait until March to send out their "bulk" of acceptances (or so says the Head of Prosthodontics with whom I met with after the interview) as they can choose which students (mostly IL students)they want without having to worry about filling their class, with the point being that they have the luxury of waiting to make decisions. I know most schools arent like this, but try to be patient (easy to say, hard to do)...I know I am on pins and needles as this is my second time around and I am having serious self-doubt with no acceptances to my name (2 interviews however). Good luck and be stong people!!!!
