Medical Chances of acceptance off waitlist following bad interview?

[Mr.Smile12]

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I recently had a terrible interview at my top choice a few weeks ago. They have a very high post-II acceptance rate. I fumbled through two questions in my first interview (it was very short, meant to be) and my other interviewer mentioned I sound interested in research (however I have a VERY service-heavy app) after giving my answer to why medicine. There are so many other things I perceive to have gone wrong that day (I had another interview the day before and in hindsight, I should have spaced them out but I was in town and I could only do them back to back) so I'm sure they might think I'm some weirdo even though I already have an acceptance at another school. I wouldnt want to go there though and I was blown away by thus school at the interview. I'm absolutely not shocked by the waitlist though. The thing is, they won't look at me until may and this is after extending invites to people who are on the post-II hold list so my chances here aren't that great now being on the waitlist. I also sent an update and post-II letter of interest following the interview (I didnt mention the other acceptance but from reading on here, maybe I should have)?

With you all being adcoms, I wanted to know if my less-than-stellar interview performance will affect my chances of getting off the WL even more negatively? The interview day was highly enjoyed by all of us as the committee tried to sell the school and from past years, it seems that there was barely any movement (last year seemed to have a lot more than the year before). Sorry for being neurotic, I've just been kicking myself for the past two weeks for how terribly I did even though the dean personally remembered screening me for the interview when I spoke with them after the day. Idk if I should reach out to them with any questions about next steps? Feeling kind of lost right now.

What is past is prologue and you can't do much now. We'll see what happens.

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[Goro]

Impossible to answer

 

[Goro]

I know, but I'm not sure if I should continue communicating with the school throughout the months or if this won't do much, especially given my interview performance? I know you can't predict anything but I guess I'm just trying to understand how waitlists, especially unranked ones, work? Especially if your interview is what did you in. In that case, I assume it's a soft R, in which case, I don't want to bombard the admissions committee with updates and letters if their mind is essentially made up.

Does the school welcome updates??

 

[Goro]

Yes, they mentioned that in their decision email. I'm just not sure how much they look at them and what exactly I can include that will help my chances. I already sent in an update/letter of interest a few days after my interview, but that was to disclose my new activity and tie in how I loved the school and felt it was a great fit.

Then send updates. You're not rejected yet, you know.

 

[Goro]

I know. I guess it just feels like a soft rejection due to my poor performance and that they might pull someone else instead of me if and when the time comes, especially if they don't already have an acceptance like I do.

I'll keep communicating with them via updates periodically. Do you suggest sending letters of intent once my interview season has concluded? I've read a lot of posts regarding that from you and gyngyn, and the consensus seems to be they're rarely taken seriously, unless you have an acceptance to a MUCH better school, like HYS. Correct me if I'm wrong and/or thinking about this too early.

A letter of intent is worthless unless you have an accept at a higher caliber school. That said, there med schools that like to see people grovel, or are very needy.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

I know. I guess it just feels like a soft rejection due to my poor performance and that they might pull someone else instead of me if and when the time comes, especially if they don't already have an acceptance like I do.

I'll keep communicating with them via updates periodically. Do you suggest sending letters of intent once my interview season has concluded? I've read a lot of posts regarding that from you and gyngyn, and the consensus seems to be they're rarely taken seriously, unless you have an acceptance to a MUCH better school, like HYS. Correct me if I'm wrong and/or thinking about this too early.

Be professional about it. You don't know what a committee will decide, and consistent professional actions over time can only help albeit a little.

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[Goro]

Thanks, figured as much. And by higher caliber, I'm assuming top 5 or top 10 and not something marginally/subjectively better?

More like a Top 20 ( which includes some 30 schools).