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First off, congrats to everyone on their acceptances!!! You all will love LMU-DCOM 
I am using the quoted post above as a reference in which to answer all questions regarding waitlist stuff, so the advice is for anyone in that situation.
Words of advice:
- Keep the school updated on any activites you are involved in, albeit grades, clinical experience/shadowing, volunteering, teaching, etc. It shows the school you are still interested in them and you are continuing to improve your application. Please don't send them something everyday. Every 2 weeks or so, if you have a VALID update (not going to your doctor who's a DO and getting a check-up). If more than one, send it in a group. This late in the cycle, make yourself stand out, but don't be annoying.
- Send a Letter of Inent (LOI). Basically, its a letter stating you will forego any other acceptance should LMU-DCOM take you off the waitlist and accept you. Personally, I would type it, print it out on nice paper and send it to the school, but emailing or faxing works too.
- Be patient. The wait-list sucks b/c all you do is sit and wonder....its hurry and wait. But trust the process. The number of seats changes b/c you have people who have been accepted, but are still deciding on whether to go or not (and the school has to assume they will take the seat), you still have more interviews in the upcoming weeks, etc. Trust me (and the other DCOMers here on SDN), people are taken off the waitlist, and sometimes a week before school starts. Remember, keep the school updated and let know you WANT to go there.
Um...don't talk about plan B...doesn't look good. Talk about the stuff you've done to show have you've improved. In the background, still apply to those programs, but there is no need to let the school know. Should this application cycle end and you aren't offered a seat, then you can send a letter stating you've applied and been accepted to a post-bach program in order to improve your application for next year. Don't be afraid to keep in touch either.
The best thing ANYONE can do who is applying next year is to attend the OMAC conferences DCOM has. One is in September and the other in December. All the big wigs in admissions are there, so stop by and talk to them. Also, talk to current students and get advice from them.
If I were you, I would call Janette and talk to her.
Finally, just some other words of wisdom, coming from a 2nd year at LMU-DCOM about med school. First and foremost, remember to take time for yourself, your family and friends...loosen up, laugh, and enjoy the little things in life. There is always time to study (and there never seems to be enough of it), so remember those around you. Hand out with classmates...shoot the breeze with faculty, get to know them, and talk more than medicine. Get involved with clubs and leadership positions. Don't be afraid to try something new or break out of your shell a bit. Look to the 2nd year students (next year's 2nd year students) for advice...they know what you'll be going thru, more than you. Advice from people who have gone thru it is invaluable. We 2nd year students are leaving the school in great hands with the current first year students, they are great people and a great class. They will do a great job at continuing, evolving, and creating the legacy we've left behind. That's one of coolest parts about going to a new school. You have a great opportunity at now only leaving your mark or footprint on a school, but your legacy. Take advantage of that. Your voice and ideas will never be heard louder, so act on them. Make the school yours. But remember, you'll also take some crap from the class above you. It comes with the territory with being the new kids on the block. Don't worry, its not malicious, its fun. Best of all, you get to do it to the class after you. If you do all of these things, I guarantee you will have some of the best years of your life in medical school.
Oh....one last thing....don't be a gunner.....they are a**holes.
I am using the quoted post above as a reference in which to answer all questions regarding waitlist stuff, so the advice is for anyone in that situation.
Words of advice:
- Keep the school updated on any activites you are involved in, albeit grades, clinical experience/shadowing, volunteering, teaching, etc. It shows the school you are still interested in them and you are continuing to improve your application. Please don't send them something everyday. Every 2 weeks or so, if you have a VALID update (not going to your doctor who's a DO and getting a check-up). If more than one, send it in a group. This late in the cycle, make yourself stand out, but don't be annoying.
- Send a Letter of Inent (LOI). Basically, its a letter stating you will forego any other acceptance should LMU-DCOM take you off the waitlist and accept you. Personally, I would type it, print it out on nice paper and send it to the school, but emailing or faxing works too.
- Be patient. The wait-list sucks b/c all you do is sit and wonder....its hurry and wait. But trust the process. The number of seats changes b/c you have people who have been accepted, but are still deciding on whether to go or not (and the school has to assume they will take the seat), you still have more interviews in the upcoming weeks, etc. Trust me (and the other DCOMers here on SDN), people are taken off the waitlist, and sometimes a week before school starts. Remember, keep the school updated and let know you WANT to go there.
Um...don't talk about plan B...doesn't look good. Talk about the stuff you've done to show have you've improved. In the background, still apply to those programs, but there is no need to let the school know. Should this application cycle end and you aren't offered a seat, then you can send a letter stating you've applied and been accepted to a post-bach program in order to improve your application for next year. Don't be afraid to keep in touch either.
The best thing ANYONE can do who is applying next year is to attend the OMAC conferences DCOM has. One is in September and the other in December. All the big wigs in admissions are there, so stop by and talk to them. Also, talk to current students and get advice from them.
If I were you, I would call Janette and talk to her.
Finally, just some other words of wisdom, coming from a 2nd year at LMU-DCOM about med school. First and foremost, remember to take time for yourself, your family and friends...loosen up, laugh, and enjoy the little things in life. There is always time to study (and there never seems to be enough of it), so remember those around you. Hand out with classmates...shoot the breeze with faculty, get to know them, and talk more than medicine. Get involved with clubs and leadership positions. Don't be afraid to try something new or break out of your shell a bit. Look to the 2nd year students (next year's 2nd year students) for advice...they know what you'll be going thru, more than you. Advice from people who have gone thru it is invaluable. We 2nd year students are leaving the school in great hands with the current first year students, they are great people and a great class. They will do a great job at continuing, evolving, and creating the legacy we've left behind. That's one of coolest parts about going to a new school. You have a great opportunity at now only leaving your mark or footprint on a school, but your legacy. Take advantage of that. Your voice and ideas will never be heard louder, so act on them. Make the school yours. But remember, you'll also take some crap from the class above you. It comes with the territory with being the new kids on the block. Don't worry, its not malicious, its fun. Best of all, you get to do it to the class after you. If you do all of these things, I guarantee you will have some of the best years of your life in medical school.
Oh....one last thing....don't be a gunner.....they are a**holes.
