How to maximize chances of getting off waitlist?

[bunnyg]

Hi all,

I am an applicant this cycle (3.85, 34 mcat, Avg ECs but a few interesting things about myself), and did fairly well in receiving interviews: I applied to 19 schools and got 5 II.

Unfortunately 3 resulted in waitlists, 1 post II rejection, and I am waiting to hear back from one school. I guess I suck at interviewing..

I was wondering what I can do to maximize my chances of getting off one. Should I send LOI/ interest now or wait until May when a lot of waitlists start to move?

Thanks!

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Goro]

Sending a six-figure donation check. Letters of intent are usually worthless. You applied to the schools, they know you want to go there.

 

[takeurmeds02]

I sent a letter of intent/update pre-decision to one school and was waitlisted the same week I sent it.

I sent a more directed LOI/update to another but in that one, stated that that's where I would go hands down if accepted. Got accepted from waitlist shortly thereafter.

I say this to say, who knows if they work or not. Couldn't hurt, if done right, I suppose.

Edit: I was also already holding an acceptance to a third school and made the other two schools aware.

 

[DrFizition]

Everyone wants that magical key to acceptance like it's the secret to eternal life.

 

[bunnyg]

Thanks everyone! I have no idea what to put in these letters though, have you come across any good example letters?
Also, if you already told the interviewers your updates, is it worth sending a letter formally addressing these?

Finally, Do you think low clinical experience could account for all these WLs, or is it basically only my interview which screwed me?

 

[gyngyn]

Thanks everyone! I have no idea what to put in these letters though, have you come across any good example letters?
Also, if you already told the interviewers your updates, is it worth sending a letter formally addressing these?

Finally, Do you think low clinical experience could account for all these WLs, or is it basically only my interview which screwed me?

If you are holding no acceptances, an "LOI" has no additional effect.
They already know you are desperate, there's no need to add to the perception.
Don't contact your interviewers if you are waitlisted! It's creepy.

 

[bunnyg]

If you are holding no acceptances, an "LOI" has no additional effect.
They already know you are deperate, there's no need to add to the perception.
Don't contact your interviewers if you are waitlisted! It's creepy.

I meant sending an update letter after I have interviewed to the ADCOM, even though I already told my interviewers about the new activities in the interview

 

[gyngyn]

I meant sending an update letter after I have interviewed to the ADCOM, even though I already told my interviewers about the new activities in the interview

Ok. It is not necessary, but not creepy.

 

[padfootmd]

If you are holding no acceptances, an "LOI" has no additional effect.
They already know you are deperate, there's no need to add to the perception.
Don't contact your interviewers if you are waitlisted! It's creepy.

So if we are waitlisted at a school but hold other acceptances, we could send a LoI if we would attend the waitlist school over the accepted school?

 

[leonardoson]

make the others "disappear"

 

[Goro]

The answer is yes.

Finally, Do you think low clinical experience could account for all these WLs, or is it basically only my interview which screwed me?

 

[drwoofs]

If you are holding no acceptances, an "LOI" has no additional effect.
They already know you are deperate, there's no need to add to the perception.
Don't contact your interviewers if you are waitlisted! It's creepy.[/QUOTE

but how would they know if we are holding acceptances?

 

[medhopeful82]

but how would they know if we are holding acceptances?

On March 15th schools that have waitlisted you get to see if you are holding acceptances anywhere...

 

[KungFuPanda123]

Sending a six-figure donation check. Letters of intent are usually worthless. You applied to the schools, they know you want to go there.

See, you keep saying that, but I feel like it is so school-dependent that people should take what you (as well as that of other adcom members on this site) say with a grain of salt.

Here's an excerpt from Brown's waitlist e-mail:
"We encourage you to provide us with any additional information concerning your application and to confirm your continued interest in Alpert Medical School. We are more favorably disposed to extend offers to applicants for whom Brown is truly the top choice."

They make it sound like if you don't send a letter of intent (i.e. saying that Brown is my #1 choice and I will definitely matriculate there if given the chance), you're not going to get off of the waitlist.


In my humble opinion OP - send letters of intent to your schools. At worst, they won't help you. At best, they'll help you get off.

 

[gyngyn]

So if we are waitlisted at a school but hold other acceptances, we could send a LoI if we would attend the waitlist school over the accepted school?

Only if the place you are holding is better or cheaper.

 

[KungFuPanda123]

I sent a letter of intent/update pre-decision to one school and was waitlisted the same week I sent it.

I sent a more directed LOI/update to another but in that one, stated that that's where I would go hands down if accepted. Got accepted from waitlist shortly thereafter.

I say this to say, who knows if they work or not. Couldn't hurt, if done right, I suppose.

I had a similar experience with your #2 experience. I feel like if you make your letter heart-felt and very genuine, they will look at your application under a new light. But again, this is completely dependent on the school/dean's outlook on these sorts of letters.

 

[LizzyM]

See, you keep saying that, but I feel like it is so school-dependent that people should take what you (as well as that of other adcom members on this site) say with a grain of salt.

Here's an excerpt from Brown's waitlist e-mail:
"We encourage you to provide us with any additional information concerning your application and to confirm your continued interest in Alpert Medical School. We are more favorably disposed to extend offers to applicants for whom Brown is truly the top choice."

They make it sound like if you don't send a letter of intent (i.e. saying that Brown is my #1 choice and I will definitely matriculate there if given the chance), you're not going to get off of the waitlist.


In my humble opinion OP - send letters of intent to your schools. At worst, they won't help you. At best, they'll help you get off.

If the school sends a clear signal as Brown is doing, then it will help to confirm your continued interest. They want to avoid making an offer to someone who is lazy and forgot to withdraw after accepting an offer at their dream school.

 

[Goro]

They can say that all they want, but keep in mind that every wait listed person will be writing them and telling them that Brown is their #1 choice.

Your call.

See, you keep saying that, but I feel like it is so school-dependent that people should take what you (as well as that of other adcom members on this site) say with a grain of salt.

Here's an excerpt from Brown's waitlist e-mail:
"We encourage you to provide us with any additional information concerning your application and to confirm your continued interest in Alpert Medical School. We are more favorably disposed to extend offers to applicants for whom Brown is truly the top choice."

They make it sound like if you don't send a letter of intent (i.e. saying that Brown is my #1 choice and I will definitely matriculate there if given the chance), you're not going to get off of the waitlist.


In my humble opinion OP - send letters of intent to your schools. At worst, they won't help you. At best, they'll help you get off.

 

[jqueb29]

Call them every day letting them know you're still interested. Drop by in person every now and then for a surprise visit.

 

[LizzyM]

Call them every day letting them know you're still interested. Drop by in person every now and then for a surprise visit.

True story.... I know someone who did that about 40 years ago. Eventually, the applicant didn't call one day and the school called to see if the applicant was okay! Eventually offered admission. I heard the story when the applicant was a full professor and member of the adcom.

I would not recommend this as a strategy these days. Twice in 40 years would be one time too many.

 

[gyngyn]

Call them every day letting them know you're still interested. Drop by in person every now and then for a surprise visit.

A good way to get to know security officers.

 

[takeurmeds02]

make the others "disappear"

lol, good answer

 

[bunnyg]

The answer is yes.

Finally, Do you think low clinical experience could account for all these WLs, or is it basically only my interview which screwed me?

Yes to which? That my low clinical experience could result in these WLs, or it was mostly my interview?

 

[Goro]

Yes to which? That my low clinical experience could result in these WLs, or it was mostly my interview?

Yes to both