Having a "Great" Interview, But Still Being Waitlisted....WHY??

[theone1979]

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hey guys
I am trying to figure out what has been going on regarding the whole waitlist issue. I have now been on 4 interviews, and at each interview day, we have been told that the fact that we have been invited for an interview means that the school is very interested in us, and that we basically just need a to have a good interview to "seal the deal".
The schools really seem to suggest that if you are invited for an interview, as long as you have a strong interview, you should be accepted.

Now what is confusing and frustrating me is that this has NOT been my experience.

I did receive an acceptance earlier in the cycle, but in the last month or so I had 3 interviews and have been waitlisted at all 3 despite the fact that I was certain that all interviews went great. Now, I know it is possible to think an interview went better then it really did, so I contacted these schools to get "interview feedback".

After getting this feedback, it was confirmed that these interviews went very very well. I was told that I received very high scores on my interviews and that there were no "red flags" or any noted concerns.

So...my question is..why the hell am I not being offered an acceptance???

If my scores and application were strong enough for them to invite me to an interview, and the school themselves state that I had a great interview, why no acceptance offer?

Why invite someone for an interview if a strong interview won't result in an acceptance? It makes me feel silly for even going out for the interview. It seems like there is nothing I could have done to get an acceptance. What more can someone do other then have a great interview? Again, if a great interview isn't going to result in an acceptance offer, why invite that applicant in the first place?

Sorry, just frustrated and venting. There is nothing more frustrating then loving a school, putting tons of work into your application, securing an interview, having a GREAT interview...and then have the result be a waitlist.

 

[MightyMoose]

I think I have seen you ask this question in 3 different places and in multiple ways... Not saying that I blame you, because it's a confusing situation to be in.


Here are some things you might want to consider:

• Odd/poor grades in pre-med classes
• lots of retakes to inflate your GPA
• A bad LOR (this can apparently kill an application).
• Maybe your interview was mediocre, and the interviewers didn't really advocate for you (I know they said your interviews were great, but who knows if that is really the case or not).
• Lack of EC's (if you have average stats, then you should have above average EC's, if you don't, this could hurt you or put you in WL limbo).

Those are some things you should look into. Maybe find someone at your local university to review your application and letters, etc. and let you know if you have any issues there.

 

[FutureDoc1988]

It is later on in the cycle, so spots may be more limited. while earlier on in the cycle, there may have been a high acceptance rate for interview groups, the acceptance rate goes down as the cycle progresses.

It may be that even though you had a great interview, they may have had other people that interviewed that they saw as better candidates.

 

[fiznat]

Did you ask the schools this question when you called? What did they say?

 

[theone1979]

I think I have seen you ask this question in 3 different places and in multiple ways... Not saying that I blame you, because it's a confusing situation to be in.


Here are some things you might want to consider:

• Odd/poor grades in pre-med classes
• lots of retakes to inflate your GPA
• A bad LOR (this can apparently kill an application).
• Maybe your interview was mediocre, and the interviewers didn't really advocate for you (I know they said your interviews were great, but who knows if that is really the case or not).
• Lack of EC's (if you have average stats, then you should have above average EC's, if you don't, this could hurt you or put you in WL limbo).

Those are some things you should look into. Maybe find someone at your local university to review your application and letters, etc. and let you know if you have any issues there.

To respond to the possibilities you mentioned:
-Lowest grade in college was B and never below B+ in science
-No retakes
-I know for a fact my LOR's were as positive as a letter could be
-Very solid EC's including research
-As for my interview, I suppose it's possible it was mediocre, but when I called the school to ask, I BEGGED them to be honest with me and tell me exactly what was said, even it was negative or awkward. The adcom told me that it was "very positive" and they had great things to say about me. So I guess anything is possible, but it certainly seems like things went well.


As far as it being late in the cycle, that is certainly true, but I have seen several people reporting acceptances at these schools who interviewed at the same time I did, with lower stats. For instance, at DMU I just saw someone post today they were just accepted with a 25.
I know stats aren't everything, but this means that obviously they are not just accepting super competitive applicants at this point.

I don't know...I am just getting frustrated (hence the several posts on this subject). I am trying to be as objective as possible. It's not like I am expecting to get into John's Hopkins, but with my stats and overall application, I just don't know why I keep getting waitlisted despite a strong interview.

 

[MLT2MT2DO]

I feel your pain. To top it off, the "feedback" I got was: "everything in your application as well as your interview were very strong"...sometimes I think schools just flip a coin.

 

[theone1979]

I feel your pain. To top it off, the "feedback" I got was: "everything in your application as well as your interview were very strong"...sometimes I think schools just flip a coin.

Uggg...yea that is awful.

Also, what kills me is to see people post here that WERE offered acceptances, who had lower stats. Now, before anyone jumps down my throat, I am fully aware that stats are not everything and that there is no way for me to know the details of their apps, but still....it is painful to get a waitlist and then see others with stats lower then yours who were, for whatever reason, offered an acceptance. It's especially tough when schools have confirmed that your interview went great so you know that wasn't the issue.

 

[MightyMoose]

To respond to the possibilities you mentioned:
-Lowest grade in college was B and never below B+ in science
-No retakes
-I know for a fact my LOR's were as positive as a letter could be
-Very solid EC's including research
-As for my interview, I suppose it's possible it was mediocre, but when I called the school to ask, I BEGGED them to be honest with me and tell me exactly what was said, even it was negative or awkward. The adcom told me that it was "very positive" and they had great things to say about me. So I guess anything is possible, but it certainly seems like things went well.


As far as it being late in the cycle, that is certainly true, but I have seen several people reporting acceptances at these schools who interviewed at the same time I did, with lower stats. For instance, at DMU I just saw someone post today they were just accepted with a 25.
I know stats aren't everything, but this means that obviously they are not just accepting super competitive applicants at this point.

I don't know...I am just getting frustrated (hence the several posts on this subject). I am trying to be as objective as possible. It's not like I am expecting to get into John's Hopkins, but with my stats and overall application, I just don't know why I keep getting waitlisted despite a strong interview.

Hmmm, I'm not sure... I imagine it must be very frustrating. On the positive side you have an acceptance. 🙂

If you want, I would be happy to review your EC's section of your app. You can PM me if you want, but it is my guess that your problem could lie in how you fleshed out each experience. It could also be a Personal Statement issue. There has to be something other than what you have stated, because you didn't even interview late. November interviews are definitely not late.

Feel free to PM your statements, etc. and I will look them over. I will stay objective and honest and will not pull any punches. So, only send it if you want a really honest take. If you tell me the schools I can have a better idea as well. I know one of them, but not the others.

 

[AutumnChild]

Hmmm, I'm not sure... I imagine it must be very frustrating. On the positive side you have an acceptance. 🙂

If you want, I would be happy to review your EC's section of your app. You can PM me if you want, but it is my guess that your problem could lie in how you fleshed out each experience. It could also be a Personal Statement issue. There has to be something other than what you have stated, because you didn't even interview late. November interviews are definitely not late.

Feel free to PM your statements, etc. and I will look them over. I will stay objective and honest and will not pull any punches. So, only send it if you want a really honest take. If you tell me the schools I can have a better idea as well. I know one of them, but not the others.

+1

Also, maybe you came off as a bit cocky in your interview? Not saying you are, just saying that could be a possibility. Interviewers don't like that.

 

[koan]

It is later on in the cycle, so spots may be more limited. while earlier on in the cycle, there may have been a high acceptance rate for interview groups, the acceptance rate goes down as the cycle progresses.

It may be that even though you had a great interview, they may have had other people that interviewed that they saw as better candidates.

I tend to side with FutureDoc here (and with the OP's original premise from another thread) that earlier interviews gain a greater proportion of outright acceptance / less waitlist placement. Although we aren't "late" in the cycle, we are in the peculiar "middle" period where the schools probably invite many capable candidates with relatively small differences between them (in terms of stats, perceived capability, ECs). As such it is probably these small differences that the AdComs focus on in their decision process between a collection of excellent applicants, and given the reduced number of seats available for outright acceptance a greater proportion are waitlisted.

To the OP, I would say this doesn't necessarily reflect negatively on you / your app / your interview skills. It's likely that you would be near the top of the waitlist, as opposed to being waitlisted very late in the cycle, e.g. March / April where the chances get slimmer.

 

[theone1979]

I tend to side with FutureDoc here (and with the OP's original premise from another thread) that earlier interviews gain a greater proportion of outright acceptance / less waitlist placement. Although we aren't "late" in the cycle, we are in the peculiar "middle" period where the schools probably invite many capable candidates with relatively small differences between them (in terms of stats, perceived capability, ECs). As such it is probably these small differences that the AdComs focus on in their decision process between a collection of excellent applicants, and given the reduced number of seats available for outright acceptance a greater proportion are waitlisted.

To the OP, I would say this doesn't necessarily reflect negatively on you / your app / your interview skills. It's likely that you would be near the top of the waitlist, as opposed to being waitlisted very late in the cycle, e.g. March / April where the chances get slimmer.

Yea, I think that where we are in the cycle is definitely playing a role.

BTW Koan, I am fairly certain that we interviewed on the same day at Touro-CA. Unfortunately I was "high-waitlisted" there as well. That one really threw me for a loop. I thought the interview went absolutely great, and it was still early in the season. I felt like during the orientation, we were basically told that at that point in the season, as long as we had a decent interview, we would be accepted. Perhaps I misunderstood, but I was unpleasantly surprised by that waitlist especially. Anyhow, congrats on your acceptance. You will be attending Touro-CA I assume?

 

[blinkboy1156]

hey guys
I did receive an acceptance earlier in the cycle, but in the...

Well. Breathe a little easier my friend.

 

[theone1979]

Well. Breathe a little easier my friend.

You are absolutely right about that. Believe me...it is a HUGE weight off of my shoulders that I do have an acceptance and know that no matter what happens, I WILL be starting med school in the fall.

Having said that, I am obviously still frustrated/concerned about this whole waitlist issue.
I know I am not the only one who has felt like this.

It just kills me to get the interview invite, spend what little money I have traveling to get to these interviews, having a solid interview, getting my hopes up, and then have it not result in an acceptance for no specific reason.

But again, you are right that I should be grateful for the acceptance I already have. Happy Holidays.🙂

 

[chayo234]

• lots of retakes to inflate your GPA

Hrmm.. is this really considered a red flag? I'm currently doing a post-bacc and have been re-taking majority of the classes where I did not do so well in. Is it really frowned upon?

 

[scpod]

Keep in mind that what you consider a "great" interview is not necessarily what others consider "great." You may just not be what they are looking for at this point. Or, you could have rubbed someone the wrong way and never know it.

A word about calling and asking what went wrong... you will almost never talk to the person who is making the decision. You will, however, be talking to someone whose job is to recruit you to the school. They will often do everything they can to keep you feeling good because they want good applicants on the waitlist when they start pulling from it.

 

[MightyMoose]

Hrmm.. is this really considered a red flag? I'm currently doing a post-bacc and have been re-taking majority of the classes where I did not do so well in. Is it really frowned upon?

Well, I think you can explain it, but if you would have a 2.x, then retook classes to bring your gpa up to a ~3.5, that might raise a few questions. I think the more retakes you have, the better your reason should be. Now the caveat to that is for a non-trad who is retaking classes from years ago. That type of situation seems like it would be fairly easy to explain.

Keep in mind that what you consider a "great" interview is not necessarily what others consider "great." You may just not be what they are looking for at this point. Or, you could have rubbed someone the wrong way and never know it.

A word about calling and asking what went wrong... you will almost never talk to the person who is making the decision. You will, however, be talking to someone whose job is to recruit you to the school. They will often do everything they can to keep you feeling good because they want good applicants on the waitlist when they start pulling from it.

I completely agree with this.