Chances of matching off the wait list?

[Emfourlife]

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I am receiving a lot of my interviews by coming off of the wait list. While I am excited to interview at these places (a lot of them are big names and very strong programs in NYC and California, Chicago) I am worried that I may be wasting my time and money. Some of these new interview dates are in conflict with programs who gave me an interview (not off the wait list) and are possibly less strong. Is it that once you interview you are on a level playing field, or are you pretty much locked into a rank position (being off the wait list probably a very low rank position) and cannot change that even with an interview? I am weary of cancelling the interviews I received earlier from less strong programs for these new shiny strong programs that are giving me a pity interview. Thank you for your help and guidance.

 

[dwells]

I'm a fellow EM applicant so I don't have any expert advice with this question but it is something that I've been thinking about as I have also been on a few wait lists. My thoughts are that no program would waster their time by inviting me to come interview unless they really thought I had a chance at ending up at their institution. It's a lot of work for them too and I'm pretty sure that some programs stop inviting people at a certain point even if they have open interview slots after cancellations. So my advice is to be aggressive and go for the programs that you want.

 

[braverepub]

I'm a fellow EM applicant so I don't have any expert advice with this question but it is something that I've been thinking about as I have also been on a few wait lists. My thoughts are that no program would waster their time by inviting me to come interview unless they really thought I had a chance at ending up at their institution. It's a lot of work for them too and I'm pretty sure that some programs stop inviting people at a certain point even if they have open interview slots after cancellations. So my advice is to be aggressive and go for the programs that you want.

Yeah, go to the ones you want but rank TONS of programs. Every program that invited you, you need to rank.

 

[Tiger10]

One other thought would be to make sure that your rank list ends up balanced. You don't want the list to be only big name, top notch programs (and where you were invited off the wait list). They wouldn't interview if they didn't think you were a solid candidate with a chance to match, but they're likely highly competitive regardless of when you were granted an interview. Kind of like applying to undergrad or med school - you want some "reaches", some "safeties", and some that are more middle of the pack.