Latest Date for First Acceptance

[tarheel1408]

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I searched the forums and couldn't find any relevant threads to this, so I figured I'd start one. If you have data that would be awesome, but in your experience, what is the latest date at which someone received their very first MD acceptance? The reason I ask is because I feel like many schools have significant waitlist movement but the people that they accept in April and May are the students that already have acceptances elsewhere. Are there any miracle stories of people finding out in May that they'll actually get to be a physician?

 

[SOMBound13]

there are miracle stories of people coming off WL's in the summer.

 

[chillaxbro]

My dad told me how his friend's daughter's friend (not a joke) got accepted to Harvard medical school right when class started after she already accepted somewhere else and paid $800 (?) deposit. She ditched the other school and went to Harvard

 

[SOMBound13]

My dad told me how his friend's daughter's friend (not a joke) got accepted to Harvard medical school right when class started after she already accepted somewhere else and paid $800 (?) deposit. She ditched the other school and went to Harvard

Yes, I know of someone who was literally driving to his SOM when he got the call that he was off the WL at his dream SOM. He turned around, went home, and booked his flight....all just a couple of days before classes started.

 

[Erakis]

I've personally seen a student that was called off the wait list on orientation day.

 

[Geebeejay]

I searched the forums and couldn't find any relevant threads to this, so I figured I'd start one. If you have data that would be awesome, but in your experience, what is the latest date at which someone received their very first MD acceptance? The reason I ask is because I feel like many schools have significant waitlist movement but the people that they accept in April and May are the students that already have acceptances elsewhere. Are there any miracle stories of people finding out in May that they'll actually get to be a physician?

Think of it this way man....if someone is accepted off the waitlist of XSOM in July, one of three things will happen:

1. That person already has an acceptance somewhere else, so he declines the acceptance to XSOM. The School then gives the spot to a different candidate.

2. That person already has an acceptance somewhere else, but he'd rather go to XSOM, so the opther medical school then gives the spot to a different candidate.

3. The acceptance to XSOM is his first acceptance.

So pretty much every acceptance off the waitlist will cause a candidate to get his first acceptance.

So to answer your question, there are plenty of "miracle stories" of being people accepted at the 11th hour. I've heard of some literally days before the semester begins.

Yes, I know of someone who was literally driving to his SOM when he got the call that he was off the WL at his dream SOM. He turned around, went home, and booked his flight....all just a couple of days before classes started.

Wow...I wonder what he did about the lease he signed at the other SOM.

 

[OCDOCDOCD]

So if you get accepted literally days before classes start, are schools more open to deferring admission? I mean, it's kind of ridiculous to expect a person find a place to live and move across the country in less than a week.

 

[Doctor Strange]

So if you get accepted literally days before classes start, are schools more open to deferring admission? I mean, it's kind of ridiculous to expect a person find a place to live and move across the country in less than a week.

I think it's more of a "if you can't we'll find someone else, then" type of situation. They're looking to fill a spot in that particular class, not next year's. Correct me if I'm wrong, though.

 

[DrZed]

So if you get accepted literally days before classes start, are schools more open to deferring admission? I mean, it's kind of ridiculous to expect a person find a place to live and move across the country in less than a week.

The spot is usually meant for filling the class. This means that they will only give it on the condition you attend that year.

 

[Pattycake25]

I think it's more of a "if you can't we'll find someone else, then" type of situation. They're looking to fill a spot in that particular class, not next year's. Correct me if I'm wrong, though.

Absolutely correct. It defeats the whole point if they let you defer. This is actually largely true for ALL waitlist acceptances, although earlier in the season you might have a shot.

As for OP, my story wins. There was a guy who mysteriously left school at some point during/after the first week - they called his name at WCC, but he wasn't there. Fast forward to next Monday evening - there's a post in the class Fbook group by another guy who just got THE call a few hours earlier. Yes, he was accepted at the beginning of the SECOND week of class. And for the record, he was in class the next day, and having drinks at the bar with us that night...all on apparently no sleep. And he did not receive any accommodations for upcoming tests either - he hit the ground running.

So, not to throw you under the bus further OCD, but if he can pull THAT off, I don't think it's unreasonable for the school to expect you to "make it happen".

 

[tarheel1408]

Think of it this way man....if someone is accepted off the waitlist of XSOM in July, one of three things will happen:

1. That person already has an acceptance somewhere else, so he declines the acceptance to XSOM. The School then gives the spot to a different candidate.

2. That person already has an acceptance somewhere else, but he'd rather go to XSOM, so the opther medical school then gives the spot to a different candidate.

3. The acceptance to XSOM is his first acceptance.

So pretty much every acceptance off the waitlist will cause a candidate to get his first acceptance.

So to answer your question, there are plenty of "miracle stories" of being people accepted at the 11th hour. I've heard of some literally days before the semester begins.



Wow...I wonder what he did about the lease he signed at the other SOM.

I understand that there is a trickle down effect following an acceptance offer at a desirable school, but I am uneasy because I'm only on the waitlist at schools I feel are 'destination' schools, meaning that they'll offer acceptances to candidates who are more competitive than me, evidenced by their previous acceptances to other schools. Meanwhile, I'm in no position to fill the spot at the other school they vacated because I'm not being considered by any 'low tier' schools

 

[Geebeejay]

I understand that there is a trickle down effect following an acceptance offer at a desirable school, but I am uneasy because I'm only on the waitlist at schools I feel are 'destination' schools, meaning that they'll offer acceptances to candidates who are more competitive than me, evidenced by their previous acceptances to other schools. Meanwhile, I'm in no position to fill the spot at the other school they vacated because I'm not being considered by any 'low tier' schools

Well if you've had a failed cycle this year (which I'm assuming), do you plan on reapplying? If so, then you should start now regardless. You might end up with an acceptance from one of your waitlists, but I think it would be reckless to put any real investment in receiving a spot from one of those schools. Worst case scenario is you get pulled off a waitlist in August and you wasted time and money (though a comparatively small amount) on the beginning of another application cycle.

 

[tarheel1408]

Well if you've had a failed cycle this year (which I'm assuming), do you plan on reapplying? If so, then you should start now regardless. You might end up with an acceptance from one of your waitlists, but I think it would be reckless to put any real investment in receiving a spot from one of those schools. Worst case scenario is you get pulled off a waitlist in August and you wasted time and money (though a comparatively small amount) on the beginning of another application cycle.

Yes, I'm planning on reapplying. I just have a thing for calculating my odds at every point in the cycle, and I think I miscalculated my odds at this point. For example, Wake Forest pulls as much as 1/3 of its class from the waitlist, so I had estimated my chances to be roughly 15%, but I think they are realistically much lower because the type of applicant they'll take in the spring and summer will most likely be competitive enough to have acceptances elsewhere. Ah well.

 

[HalfPast6]

I understand that there is a trickle down effect following an acceptance offer at a desirable school, but I am uneasy because I'm only on the waitlist at schools I feel are 'destination' schools, meaning that they'll offer acceptances to candidates who are more competitive than me, evidenced by their previous acceptances to other schools. Meanwhile, I'm in no position to fill the spot at the other school they vacated because I'm not being considered by any 'low tier' schools

Ah Tarheel I totally empathize with you. All waitlisters can do now is pray that the acceptance (or the right one) will come. As hard as it is to do, try not to worry about it as doing so only makes you more stressed out!

 

[NCMED101]

Ah Tarheel I totally empathize with you. All waitlisters can do now is pray that the acceptance (or the right one) will come. As hard as it is to do, try not to worry about it as doing so only makes you more stressed out!

Same situation. Sadly planning for reapplication is limiting the depression just a bit.

 

[SOMBound13]

So if you get accepted literally days before classes start, are schools more open to deferring admission? I mean, it's kind of ridiculous to expect a person find a place to live and move across the country in less than a week.

I doubt it. The reason you're being offered the spot is to fill an empty seat that needs a warm body. if they let you defer, they still have a hole. In their minds, they're offering the spot to a "less desirable" candidate (not meaning to sound as harsh as that sounds), so they're not going to defer.

And, yes, people do move in less than a week. They might first stay at one of those extended stay hotels, or maybe the school has on campus housing.


If a person has no acceptances and is still on a WL, then have a list ready (and maybe a few things gathered), in case a quick move is needed.

 

[SOMBound13]

I understand that there is a trickle down effect following an acceptance offer at a desirable school, but I am uneasy because I'm only on the waitlist at schools I feel are 'destination' schools, meaning that they'll offer acceptances to candidates who are more competitive than me, evidenced by their previous acceptances to other schools. Meanwhile, I'm in no position to fill the spot at the other school they vacated because I'm not being considered by any 'low tier' schools

As you probably know, your list was rather reachy for your GPA. Surprised that East Carolina rejected you.

Yes, I'm planning on reapplying. I just have a thing for calculating my odds at every point in the cycle, and I think I miscalculated my odds at this point. For example, Wake Forest pulls as much as 1/3 of its class from the waitlist, so I had estimated my chances to be roughly 15%, but I think they are realistically much lower because the type of applicant they'll take in the spring and summer will most likely be competitive enough to have acceptances elsewhere. Ah well.

Yes, but those with better stats may have better acceptances and will decline Wake.


What schools will be on your next cycle's list?

 

[Geebeejay]

Yes, I'm planning on reapplying. I just have a thing for calculating my odds at every point in the cycle, and I think I miscalculated my odds at this point. For example, Wake Forest pulls as much as 1/3 of its class from the waitlist, so I had estimated my chances to be roughly 15%, but I think they are realistically much lower because the type of applicant they'll take in the spring and summer will most likely be competitive enough to have acceptances elsewhere. Ah well.

I don't think calculating "odds" is really appropriate for medical school admission, which is probably why you are feeling let down.

 

[Oogieboogie]

My dad told me how his friend's daughter's friend (not a joke) got accepted to Harvard medical school right when class started after she already accepted somewhere else and paid $800 (?) deposit. She ditched the other school and went to Harvard

Anyone besides me ever wonder who is ditching med school the day of orientation?

 

[girlonfire]

Anyone besides me ever wonder who is ditching med school the day of orientation?

People who are considerate enough to give me their spot!

 

[bortenson]

Anyone besides me ever wonder who is ditching med school the day of orientation?

Someone at Harvard dies the week before orientation, trickle down effect, boom.


Honestly, I don't know how you people could possibly apply twice in a row (obstensibly going through two cycles simultaneously). If I don't get in off any of my waitlists i'm just going Caribbean. A Caribbean MD is better than having to do this process twice and putting a bullet in my head.

 

[gyngyn]

Absolutely correct. It defeats the whole point if they let you defer. This is actually largely true for ALL waitlist acceptances, although earlier in the season you might have a shot.

As for OP, my story wins. There was a guy who mysteriously left school at some point during/after the first week - they called his name at WCC, but he wasn't there. Fast forward to next Monday evening - there's a post in the class Fbook group by another guy who just got THE call a few hours earlier. Yes, he was accepted at the beginning of the SECOND week of class. And for the record, he was in class the next day, and having drinks at the bar with us that night...all on apparently no sleep. And he did not receive any accommodations for upcoming tests either - he hit the ground running.

So, not to throw you under the bus further OCD, but if he can pull THAT off, I don't think it's unreasonable for the school to expect you to "make it happen".

It is a traffic violation for a school to offer an acceptance to a student who has started school elsewhere. Unless the first is a DO school, this would not have happened in our current system.

In fact, the school offering admission has to call the school holding the candidate to inform them of the intent to offer admission (before the offer is made to the student).

 

[Pattycake25]

It is a traffic violation for a school to offer an acceptance to a student who has started school elsewhere. Unless the first is a DO school, this would not have happened in our current system.

In fact, the school offering admission has to call the school holding the candidate to inform them of the intent to offer admission (before the offer is made to the student).

The guy who joined our class during the second week was working in a doc's office, he was not in school. I have no idea what happened to the guy who left, but he obviously didn't go to another med school for the reasons you've described.

 

[gyngyn]

The guy who joined our class during the second week was working in a doc's office, he was not in school. I have no idea what happened to the guy who left, but he obviously didn't go to another med school for the reasons you've described.

That would work.

 

[MedPR]

In fact, the school offering admission has to call the school holding the candidate to inform them of the intent to offer admission (before the offer is made to the student).

That's pretty cool.

Howard: Good morning, Howard SOM admissions how can I help you?
Harvard: We're taking John Smith. Lol sorry


Sent from my SGH-T999 using SDN Mobile

 

[gyngyn]

That's pretty cool.

Howard: Good morning, Howard SOM admissions how can I help you?
Harvard: We're taking John Smith. Lol sorry


Sent from my SGH-T999 using SDN Mobile

It's always a little...awkward.

 

[bortenson]

It's always a little...awkward.

Hey gyngyn, since you seem to have personal experience with this, a quick question:

Will a school know that someone on their high-priority/first-tier/whatever-they-call-it waitlist has not received any acceptances elsewhere? I know they're looking for the best candidate... but if we've made it that far we're obviously qualified, and they're also looking for the candidates who will, well, say yes.

Should we continue to send LoIs post waitlist stating that we have not received an acceptance, "so like, seriously, I will definitely come"? Worded more eloquently of course. Or does that come across as too desperate?

Or should I just start sending out my Caribbean applications for January '14 and be done with it.

 

[gyngyn]

Hey gyngyn, since you seem to have personal experience with this, a quick question:

Will a school know that someone on their high-priority/first-tier/whatever-they-call-it waitlist has not received any acceptances elsewhere? I know they're looking for the best candidate... but if we've made it that far we're obviously qualified, and they're also looking for the candidates who will, well, say yes.

Should we continue to send LoIs post waitlist stating that we have not received an acceptance, "so like, seriously, I will definitely come"? Worded more eloquently of course. Or does that come across as too desperate?

Or should I just start sending out my Caribbean applications for January '14 and be done with it.

On April 1st we will see where waitlist candidates have been accepted. There's really little need to send a LOI when we know that you are holding no acceptances.

 

[Mako555]

Honestly, I don't know how you people could possibly apply twice in a row (obstensibly going through two cycles simultaneously). If I don't get in off any of my waitlists i'm just going Caribbean. A Caribbean MD is better than having to do this process twice and putting a bullet in my head.

Or should I just start sending out my Caribbean applications for January '14 and be done with it.

i think you need to do some serious research into how far a Caribbean MD degree will get you. You seem to think there is hardly any difference. just do a search though, no need to derail this thread.

 

[bortenson]

i think you need to do some serious research into how far a Caribbean MD degree will get you. You seem to think there is hardly any difference. just do a search though, no need to derail this thread.

I have done plenty of research. I've already gone through this process twice, with an incredibly high MCAT and an incredibly average GPA, and a number of mild/moderate red flags on my transcript. I don't think I can mentally handle the process for a third time. I know I will be top of my class at one of the... "reputable" 4 Caribbean medical schools, which will entail a FM/IM residency with a chance at a residency in EM/Peds/OBGYN and other noncompetitive specialties. I want to be a doctor, and I don't see any other options. Feel free to PM me if you think you have some compelling information I have missed.

 

[deleted329605]

I'm hoping for good post-interview news in march. The thought of waiting till may/june right when I would need to reapply is traumatizing to even think about. APPLY EARLY KIDS.

 

[NCMED101]

I have done plenty of research. I've already gone through this process twice, with an incredibly high MCAT and an incredibly average GPA, and a number of mild/moderate red flags on my transcript. I don't think I can mentally handle the process for a third time. I know I will be top of my class at one of the... "reputable" 4 Caribbean medical schools, which will entail a FM/IM residency with a chance at a residency in EM/Peds/OBGYN and other noncompetitive specialties. I want to be a doctor, and I don't see any other options. Feel free to PM me if you think you have some compelling information I have missed.

Did you look into DO schools? If you say you have high stats, you might have a good shot at some DO schools if MD isn't working out. It would allow you to be competitive for FM/IM residencies as well as EM and etc.