How to deal with wait-lists?

[Yippiekayye]

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I've been waitlisted at 4 schools and have no acceptances so far this cycle and have no idea what the proper protocol is for communicating with these schools. Should I just send a single letter of intent to each school? Or should I periodically email them? My main problem is that I don't really have anything to update the schools on, grades aren't finalized until May and all my activities are already listed in my app. I don't foresee receiving any new awards or honors in the coming months. So basically what I'm asking is what should I say to these schools and how often should I communicate with them? I know that at least 2 of these schools begin accepting off their waitlist before May.

In addition, would it be prudent to register to retake the MCAT this summer in case none of my waitlists end up working out? Or is that jumping the gun a little bit?

Thanks for helping out a fellow SDNer in what has been a very disappointing application cycle.

 

[DrBowtie]

Two pronged strategy:

1. Maximize your chances of getting off waitlists
- Send update letters to each place, highlighting reasons why they are awesome blah blah blah. If you have anything new you can include that.

2. Prepare for next cycle
- Identify weaknesses in your app. (Put up a WAMC thread with details so people can comments). Sounds like you think it is your MCAT already. Some schools will discuss your app and tell you areas to improve on if you are rejected.
- How late did you apply this cycle? If late then get things together to apply day 1 of AMCAS submissions. Registering for a later MCAT would delay this so really decide if the MCAT score was a weakness.

 

[BABSstudent]

I've been waitlisted at 4 schools and have no acceptances so far this cycle and have no idea what the proper protocol is for communicating with these schools. Should I just send a single letter of intent to each school? Or should I periodically email them? My main problem is that I don't really have anything to update the schools on, grades aren't finalized until May and all my activities are already listed in my app. I don't foresee receiving any new awards or honors in the coming months. So basically what I'm asking is what should I say to these schools and how often should I communicate with them? I know that at least 2 of these schools begin accepting off their waitlist before May.

In addition, would it be prudent to register to retake the MCAT this summer in case none of my waitlists end up working out? Or is that jumping the gun a little bit?

Thank for helping out a fellow SDNer in what has been a very disappointing application cycle.

A letter of intent to each school? Do you know what a letter of intent means? It means that, if accepted, you will withdraw your app from the other schools. So what happens when you get accepted to two or more schools? Both will expect you to go there since you promised and yet you will withdraw from one of them.

Instead, I would write four letters. Each should be different with specific reasons why you are perfect for x school. Say that you would be honored to go there for multiple reasons and list them. It sucks that you don't have any updates to include in that, but it's too late to do anything meaningful that you could include.

 

[circulus vitios]

Do letter of intents actually do anything? I mean if you're applying to the school and it's kind of obvious you intend on going there.

 

[BurghStudent]

Is it bad if your updates are not about more shadowing and more volunteering?

 

[BecksTriad]

Is it bad if your updates are not about more shadowing and more volunteering?

not necessarily

 

[Yippiekayye]

Two pronged strategy:

1. Maximize your chances of getting off waitlists
- Send update letters to each place, highlighting reasons why they are awesome blah blah blah. If you have anything new you can include that.

2. Prepare for next cycle
- Identify weaknesses in your app. (Put up a WAMC thread with details so people can comments). Sounds like you think it is your MCAT already. Some schools will discuss your app and tell you areas to improve on if you are rejected.
- How late did you apply this cycle? If late then get things together to apply day 1 of AMCAS submissions. Registering for a later MCAT would delay this so really decide if the MCAT score was a weakness.

Actually I don't really think that my MCAT was a weakness (I got a 33), but I figured if I don't get in anywhere I won't have much else to do this summer anyways and the MCAT is the easiest part of my app to improve. I'm pretty confident I could do better since 33 was the lowest I got on my practice exams.

For what it's worth, my GPA is decent (3.8+) and I was complete on 9/1 at all schools (when my last letter of rec came in). I know that isn't exactly early, but I don't think it was late enough to have a serious impact on my application either. To be perfectly honest, I think my interviews were my weak point, I often became flustered and tongue-tied and had a hard time expressing myself coherently. I didn't prepare as well as I should have and I am now paying the price.

 

[MusicJunkie]

Actually I don't really think that my MCAT was a weakness (I got a 33), but I figured if I don't get in anywhere I won't have much else to do this summer anyways and the MCAT is the easiest part of my app to improve. I'm pretty confident I could do better since 33 was the lowest I got on my practice exams.

For what it's worth, my GPA is decent (3.8+) and I was complete on 9/1 at all schools (when my last letter of rec came in). I know that isn't exactly early, but I don't think it was late enough to have a serious impact on my application either. To be perfectly honest, I think my interviews were my weak point, I often became flustered and tongue-tied and had a hard time expressing myself coherently. I didn't prepare as well as I should have and I am now paying the price.

Don't retake a 33.

Your weakness is the interview then. Communication skills is a biggie for adcoms/interviewers. If you have to reapply, apply a little earlier and work on your interview skills. How did you prepare?

 

[Yippiekayye]

A letter of intent to each school? Do you know what a letter of intent means? It means that, if accepted, you will withdraw your app from the other schools. So what happens when you get accepted to two or more schools? Both will expect you to go there since you promised and yet you will withdraw from one of them.

Instead, I would write four letters. Each should be different with specific reasons why you are perfect for x school. Say that you would be honored to go there for multiple reasons and list them. It sucks that you don't have any updates to include in that, but it's too late to do anything meaningful that you could include.

Sorry, I meant a letter expressing my interest in the program and why I am a good fit. There is one school that I would attend over all others and I already sent them a detailed letter earlier this cycle. I actually sent the letter after I had been invited for an interview (but didn't realize I had been invited until after I sent the letter.... long story ), so I'm not sure if they actually read the letter. Since it basically says exactly why I want to go there and that it is my top choice, should i just update it with my impressions of the schools after having had the opportunity to interview and resend it?

 

[TheShaker]

Do letter of intents actually do anything? I mean if you're applying to the school and it's kind of obvious you intend on going there.

It is supposed to communicate that you are willing to go there above all other schools.

 

[circulus vitios]

It is supposed to communicate that you are willing to go there above all other schools.

I don't know I kind of imagine the response of someone reading a LOI to be like:

Aww that's so cute, he thinks we care.
*Throws LOI in garbage can*

 

[Yippiekayye]

Don't retake a 33.

Your weakness is the interview then. Communication skills is a biggie for adcoms/interviewers. If you have to reapply, apply a little earlier and work on your interview skills. How did you prepare?

For the most part I did little other than read over my application and read through the SND tread for the school to see how the interviews were/ what types of questions they asked.

 

[imcanadaian]

I don't know I kind of imagine the response of someone reading a LOI to be like:

Aww that's so cute, he thinks we care.
*Throws LOI in garbage can*

it can make more of a difference closer to May when schools can see if you've actually gotten into other schools--then your "promise" or "intent" means a lot more than seeming like a desperate stab in the dark.

 

[Yippiekayye]

Thanks for the advice guys, keep it coming. Does anyone have any information/ opinions on 1 year SMPs/ Post-baccs? I had never really considered doing one before, but I have heard that they can be helpful. Since I don't have any concrete plans for next year if I don't get in, I figured it can't hurt to look into. Is there still time to apply to these programs?

 

[MusicJunkie]

Thanks for the advice guys, keep it coming. Does anyone have any information/ opinions on 1 year SMPs/ Post-baccs? I had never really considered doing one before, but I have heard that they can be helpful. Since I don't have any concrete plans for next year if I don't get in, I figured it can't hurt to look into. Is there still time to apply to these programs?

I don't really see a post-bacc or SMP as being worth it if you have a 3.8+ GPA...

 

[imcanadaian]

I don't really see a post-bacc or SMP as being worth it if you have a 3.8+ GPA...

yeah that's not worth it. Wayyyy too expensive, and it's not like a GPA boost is needed for you. PM me if you have questions about gap year activities and stuff. I've done it a few times haha 😛

But think about shortcomings in your application (LORs? activities?) and take time to handle those! 🙂 There's nothing wrong with stepping away from school and working! If you find something you like to do and can speak passionately about it--it can enrich who you are on paper.

 

[Yippiekayye]

I don't really see a post-bacc or SMP as being worth it if you have a 3.8+ GPA...

You're probably right, I just can't think of anything else to do other than working in my current lab full-time for a year (not even sure I can do this) or finding a full-time lab position elsewhere at my college or in my hometown.

 

[Guero]

I don't know I kind of imagine the response of someone reading a LOI to be like:

Aww that's so cute, he thinks we care.
*Throws LOI in garbage can*

Kinda like that? That's how I've imagined GWU treating my update letters. LoL

Thanks for the advice guys, keep it coming. Does anyone have any information/ opinions on 1 year SMPs/ Post-baccs? I had never really considered doing one before, but I have heard that they can be helpful. Since I don't have any concrete plans for next year if I don't get in, I figured it can't hurt to look into. Is there still time to apply to these programs?

To what kind of schools did you apply? Did you include any "safety" schools, those whith matriculant stats below your own? I definitely think the interviews are what did you in. I'd just find a good job within the field of medicine, research, or management (if you have the experience) and save money for this upcoming cycle. There's not much to improve besides your interview skills.

 

[NCMED101]

You're probably right, I just can't think of anything else to do other than working in my current lab full-time for a year (not even sure I can do this) or finding a full-time lab position elsewhere at my college or in my hometown.

Same situation I am in, except I am already in my gap year and sitting on 3-5 waitlists. Interviewing has been my weak point as well. People are telling me that 4+ waitlists is a good thing and I still have a good chance of being accepted, but it is difficult for me to see that at this point.

Planning my second gap year is difficult for me to do as well as I am not sure whether to stay in my lab or get employment elsewhere. I would advise against the SMP and post bacc as you don't need it and it will be expensive. If it comes to it, I would just work somewhere and earn a little cash to enjoy/pay off application fees.

 

[plumazul]

it can make more of a difference closer to May when schools can see if you've actually gotten into other schools--then your "promise" or "intent" means a lot more than seeming like a desperate stab in the dark.

I believe they would know where everyone was accepted in April.

 

[Ichiban88]

how often are we supposed to be sending these letters and should they be around a month before waitlists start moving or simply asap?

 

[Guero]

I believe they would know where everyone was accepted in April.

That's actually been released since February (who holds acceptances). I even received an email from one of my schools on February 27th urging me and the other 28 students with multiple acceptances to make a decision ASAP so as to allow others on the waitlist an opportunity.

 

[Yippiekayye]

To what kind of schools did you apply? Did you include any "safety" schools, those whith matriculant stats below your own? I definitely think the interviews are what did you in. I'd just find a good job within the field of medicine, research, or management (if you have the experience) and save money for this upcoming cycle. There's not much to improve besides your interview skills.

I applied to all my state schools, where I am a fairly average applicant, along with a few reaches. I would happily attend any school I applied to to if accepted. I didn't really apply to any "safety" schools because I didn't want to end up somewhere I don't really want to be for 4 years out of obligation.

What kind of jobs would I be qualified for in the field of medicine? Sorry if this is an obvious question, I've never actually had a job and am pretty oblivious to the job-hunting process.

 

[imcanadaian]

That's actually been released since February (who holds acceptances). I even received an email from one of my schools on February 27th urging me and the other 28 students with multiple acceptances to make a decision ASAP so as to allow others on the waitlist an opportunity.

Oh! interesting. Thanks for the clarification!

 

[BABSstudent]

Do letter of intents actually do anything? I mean if you're applying to the school and it's kind of obvious you intend on going there.

I think it depends on what you say. If you are like, "Hey, I want to go here" then it isn't going to work.

If you are like "I have been accepted to A and B with a scholarship offer to B and, while I am humbled by their offers, I will withdraw to go to your school for reasons x, y and z," then maybe it will have more of an effect.

 

[Guero]

I think it depends on what you say. If you are like, "Hey, I want to go here" then it isn't going to work.

If you are like "I have been accepted to A and B with a scholarship offer to B and, while I am humbled by their offers, I will withdraw to go to your school for reasons x, y and z," then maybe it will have more of an effect.

Nice. I didn't even think about mentioning turning down my scholarship! Why the heck didn't I think about that? I'm such a tool sometimes.

 

[plumazul]

That's actually been released since February (who holds acceptances). I even received an email from one of my schools on February 27th urging me and the other 28 students with multiple acceptances to make a decision ASAP so as to allow others on the waitlist an opportunity.

This is true only if the school has already accepted you. If not, they must wait till April.

From the AMCAS instructions:

• Beginning in February of each year, a medical school that has accepted an applicant can view the other school or schools that have accepted the applicant, if applicable.

• Beginning in April of each year, a medical school can view the school or schools that have accepted an applicant, even if that applicant has not yet been accepted by the medical school.

 

[Guero]

I applied to all my state schools, where I am a fairly average applicant, along with a few reaches. I would happily attend any school I applied to to if accepted. I didn't really apply to any "safety" schools because I didn't want to end up somewhere I don't really want to be for 4 years out of obligation.

What kind of jobs would I be qualified for in the field of medicine? Sorry if this is an obvious question, I've never actually had a job and am pretty oblivious to the job-hunting process.

I understand completely. If you wouldn't be happy at a safety school, by all means, don't apply. Props for that one.

As far as jobs, did you do any research during college? I'd try to apply for as many research assistant jobs as possible (since you've never held a job, you're entry level in all disciplines). You could also do one of those quick allied health courses (e.g., Certified Nursing Assistant/Tech = 1 month of class, usually paid by the hospital/nursing home to which you apply). There are tons of things you can do to keep yourself busy, involved, and most importnantly, paid.

Oh! interesting. Thanks for the clarification!

No prob, bob! Good to finally put a face with the avatar, bt dubz. 😉

This is true only if the school has already accepted you. If not, they must wait till April.

From the AMCAS instructions:

This is true; thanks for the clarification.

 

[chillaxbro]

So when should we start sending letters of interest/intent/updates? Also how often?
For example one school says movement of the waitlist doesnt start until June.
Should I wait until June or start sending in letters now and every 2 weeks thereafter?

 

[einstein1990]

Waitlist kitteh is how you deal with waitlists

 

[TheKingofClay]

3.8+ with a 33. Those are really solid stats, so I honestly think you don't need to do an SMP or Post-Bacc or retake the MCAT. It'll be a lot of extra work that isn't completely necessary (not to mention the extra $). Work on your interviewing skills, EC's (get more experience, be more well-rounded, etc.), and submit earlier this time around and you'll probably be fine. GL !