How Do Medical Schools Pick From Wait Lists??

[TaylorMDhopeful]

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Does anyone know or have an idea how medical schools pick students from their wait lists/alternate lists? I know that some wait lists are unranked and they look at all the candidates when they have to decide how to fill slots. When one person of a certain type withdraws their application do they just pick the next best candidate in their eyes? The best fit? Or someone who mimics that candidate (what I have heard a few times) that withdrew so that they can maintain their matriculant diversity (same sex, ethnicity, background, activities to some extent, potential interest like working with the underserved or pediatrics)?

Even if you don't know, it would be nice to hear some ideas about how it would work.

 

[Tatastrophy]

Does anyone know or have an idea how medical schools pick students from their wait lists/alternate lists? I know that some wait lists are unranked and they look at all the candidates when they have to decide how to fill slots. When one person of a certain type withdraws their application do they just pick the next best candidate in their eyes? The best fit? Or someone who mimics that candidate (what I have heard a few times) that withdrew so that they can maintain their matriculant diversity (same sex, ethnicity, background, activities to some extent, potential interest like working with the underserved or pediatrics)?

Even if you don't know, it would be nice to hear some ideas about how it would work.

Can't tell about all schools but at least at UC Irvine....they pick a candidate that is similar to the one that withdrew.

 

[jvesco22]

Can't tell about all schools but at least at UC Irvine....they pick a candidate that is similar to the one that withdrew.

Similar in what way? Also, how did you come across this information? Thanks

 

[mmmcdowe]

I would suspect that one of the advantages of waitlist committees is that they can look at the withdrawn applicants in chunks rather than one at a time. When you have 20 spots to fill it is probably a little easier to get a feel for filling in gender or other disparities rather than if its just one spot. I think if they just had one spot to replace the adcom would be a little more unconcerned about such thing.

 

[Hifey]

Can't tell about all schools but at least at UC Irvine....they pick a candidate that is similar to the one that withdrew.

I wouldn't be surprised. UCI is HUGE on diversity in their medical class ( so it make sense that they would accept someone very similar to the one who withdrew) according to my friend who is in the post bac program and others. I would also know since all my classes are about a two min walk from the med school.

 

[JJMrK]

Does anyone know or have an idea how medical schools pick students from their wait lists/alternate lists? I know that some wait lists are unranked and they look at all the candidates when they have to decide how to fill slots. When one person of a certain type withdraws their application do they just pick the next best candidate in their eyes? The best fit? Or someone who mimics that candidate (what I have heard a few times) that withdrew so that they can maintain their matriculant diversity (same sex, ethnicity, background, activities to some extent, potential interest like working with the underserved or pediatrics)?

Even if you don't know, it would be nice to hear some ideas about how it would work.

I think you've answered your own question. Also, it totally depends on the school. There is no set of rules that schools have to adhere to; different places do different things.

Can't tell about all schools but at least at UC Irvine....they pick a candidate that is similar to the one that withdrew.

Yep, I've heard that as well.