Losing Hope - Too late for Interview Invites?

[holyhekshler]

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I have been lucky enough to get 4 invites so far, 3 MD, 1 DO. Been on the 3 MD interviews already - yielded 2 WL, waiting on response from state school with about 33% acceptance rate post interview. I'm still waiting to hear back from about 10 schools that I think(or thought!) I have a remote chance at. (UVM, Penn State, Temple, Drexel, NYMC, Einstein, Both NJ schools, Tufts, Dartmouth, NYCOM, holds at Albany and SUNY Upstate) However, I'm wondering at this point if these are not just silent rejections. I check my inbox everyday and it seems like Forever since I've heard anything, good or bad. I'm BUMMIN 🙁 The thought of reapplying is so unbelievably depressing at this point- I really don't know how people go through this process 2 or even 3 times. So my question is this: Do people actually get invited for interviews in February? I know NYMC interviews quite late, but the other schools I'm not sure of. I'm cautiously optimistic but I'm also starting to lose hope as the weeks go by. I would go Anywhere. I know my heart is in the right place but this process has seriously drained me. Looking for hope or just others wanting to commiserate. Good luck to All!

 

[IDoIt4Love]

It's not too late! In the past 2 weeks, I've gotten 2 interview offers, both for next month. I feel you, though. I've been on 2 interviews, one of which resulted in wait-listing and the other of which I am waiting on a decision to be made. The latter is also my state school; 30% chance of acceptance post-interview. I know exactly how you feel but it's not too late.

I'm not sure if correlation implies causation here, but I just got done with a week of bugging the crap out of the admissions office at the school that just offered me my most recent interview invite. I had literally bugged them either by voicemail, e-mail or phone call daily for the seventh day in a row when I was invited for an interview. The problem was that they wouldn't confidently acknowledge that my application was complete, and I had submitted everything weeks ago. Perhaps all that bugging got them to pull my file from the pile and pay some attention to it! Who knows. Long story short, if you just haven't heard from a school in a long time, nagging them may just work!

 

[calimed214]

It's late in the season. January is pretty much over. Many schools are done or wrapping up their interview season and extending their remaining invites now. I would try to call those schools you're still waiting on to see what's happening with them -- if they're still interviewing, etc. You also still have those 2 waitlists, so don't lose hope. But it is smart to start thinking about what to do next year just in case you don't get in.

 

[rockymhs]

I was bummed for awhile for getting only one interview. I thought I was competitive enough, but I guess I wasn't. But I got in, and it was one of my top choice, so I was satisfied.

But to my surprise, I got my second interview invite just few days ago, and my secondary was sent back in August.

So it is not too late, but seeing that you already had several interviews, I wouldn't worry about getting into one of the schools you interviewed at.

 

[KTDseven77]

It really isn't too late. I thought invites had all been given out already, too, and then today I got one from Eastern Virginia. I'm under the impression that schools interview through March, and some even into April, and since many schools don't give more than 3 weeks notice for interviews, it seems like invites should be going out through the end of February. In the EVMS e-mail, available dates were Feb. 24 through March 19, so they will definitely still be giving them out.

P.S. I applied to 6 of the schools you mentioned, and all I've gotten from any of them is an interview offer from Drexel (is). NYMC is killing me with the lack of any info on my status!

P.P.S. I'm also a reapplicant...I was so depressed last summer (waitlisted at 2 schools, no acceptances) at the thought of retaking the MCAT and going to all the effort of a new app cycle. I thought it was basically the end of the world at the time, but things have turned out pretty well...I ended up doing some research which is really interesting and will most likely lead to a publication (good thing to have on a resume for residency apps!). So basically, I sincerely hope you get in this cycle, as I know what a bad feeling it is to end up empty-handed in May, but try not to get too down on yourself. This cycle's not over, and you can definitely find things to boost your candidacy for next year if it doesn't work out.

 

[holyhekshler]

Aww, thanks guys! (except the person who said there's no hope left!)

It does help to know there are people along with me - this site simultaneously crushes my dreams and gives me hope on a daily basis

I'm overseas for the year and that makes it a lot harder to nag, but I agree that nagging is effective (fyi: my boyfriend calls me the nagathor 3000!)

I dug around and found this thread from the 06/07 season... http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=256584

there was another one from the year before that was better organized:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=256584&page=4

A decent amount from drexel, tufts, nymc and others. 🙄

I'm gonna give it til the end of Feb to officially give up on the possibility of more invites. I'm definitely praying about the waitlists I have and the response that's coming, those are my top 2 choices anyway, but as KTD said, WL does not equal acceptance so I'm just nervous. I hope we all get in!

 

[calimed214]

Aww, thanks guys! (except the person who said there's no hope left!)

I didn't say there wasn't any hope left, just to be realistic in your expectations. Do people get interviews in February and end up getting accepted in March/April? Of course. But always have a backup plan in case things don't pan out. Trust me, I'm a reapplicant. Holding out for interviews this late in the cycle can lead to disappointment. Plan ahead. That said, I do hope you get in somewhere. Don't count out those 2 waitlists and you still have 1 status pending.

 

[holyhekshler]

I didn't say there wasn't any hope left, just to be realistic in your expectations. Do people get interviews in February and end up getting accepted in March/April? Of course. But always have a backup plan in case things don't pan out. Trust me, I'm a reapplicant. Holding out for interviews this late in the cycle can lead to disappointment. Plan ahead. That said, I do hope you get in somewhere. Don't count out those 2 waitlists and you still have 1 status pending.

I was just kidding 😛
I know it's best to be realistic so I am def trying to plan ahead. Are you in somewhere this year? Cali schools were very present on those late interview threads!

 

[bmlax13]

haven't heard anything from anyone and it's the middle of February, I have competitive stats (32 MCAT 3.8 gpa) but applied late. Give me your honest opinions, am i screwed? I really don't have any hope at this point I just want an outside opinion. Thanks dudes

 

[DrBowtie]

Pretty hosed. Most schools are interviewing for waitlist spots now.

 

[BlueElmo]

haven't heard anything from anyone and it's the middle of February, I have competitive stats (32 MCAT 3.8 gpa) but applied late. Give me your honest opinions, am i screwed? I really don't have any hope at this point I just want an outside opinion. Thanks dudes

Could be. It's really late by now.

 

[MiniMoo]

haven't heard anything from anyone and it's the middle of February, I have competitive stats (32 MCAT 3.8 gpa) but applied late. Give me your honest opinions, am i screwed? I really don't have any hope at this point I just want an outside opinion. Thanks dudes

It's really late. A few schools do interview until March/April, but most are wrapping up. I would really start working on a Plan B and focusing on reapplying for next year.

 

[Morsetlis]

You don't interview for "waitlist spots"...
Schools typically offer an amount of acceptance equal to twice the number of seats it actually has.

 

[drizzt3117]

You don't interview for "waitlist spots"...
Schools typically offer an amount of acceptance equal to twice the number of seats it actually has.

While this is a true statement, a lot of schools at this point may have offered more acceptances than seats, so a lot of it depends on how the decisions other ppl make before they'd offer more acceptances, they might be done with outright offers and only accept ppl that have been waitlisted going forward.

 

[flip26]

I have been lucky enough to get 4 invites so far, 3 MD, 1 DO. Been on the 3 MD interviews already - yielded 2 WL, waiting on response from state school with about 33% acceptance rate post interview. I'm still waiting to hear back from about 10 schools that I think(or thought!) I have a remote chance at. (UVM, Penn State, Temple, Drexel, NYMC, Einstein, Both NJ schools, Tufts, Dartmouth, NYCOM, holds at Albany and SUNY Upstate) However, I'm wondering at this point if these are not just silent rejections. I check my inbox everyday and it seems like Forever since I've heard anything, good or bad. I'm BUMMIN 🙁 The thought of reapplying is so unbelievably depressing at this point- I really don't know how people go through this process 2 or even 3 times. So my question is this: Do people actually get invited for interviews in February? I know NYMC interviews quite late, but the other schools I'm not sure of. I'm cautiously optimistic but I'm also starting to lose hope as the weeks go by. I would go Anywhere. I know my heart is in the right place but this process has seriously drained me. Looking for hope or just others wanting to commiserate. Good luck to All!

Vermont interviews later, so you have a shot there. Not sure about the others on your list, though.

 

[DrBowtie]

You don't interview for "waitlist spots"...
Schools typically offer an amount of acceptance equal to twice the number of seats it actually has.

100% false. At my school they are not offering any straight up acceptances past january.

Other schools will flat out tell you that you are interviewing for a waitlist spot if you ask them.

 

[holyhekshler]

Vermont interviews later, so you have a shot there. Not sure about the others on your list, though.

I actually got an interview at NYMC last week! Got put on hold at drexel. I would love love love an interview at UVM, I 😍 VM. I'm still small pooled there. I know that it is definitely late in the game but it seems that many of my schools are still giving out invites, (dartmouth, vermont, penn state, einstein even) not that I am expecting to get any more, but I'm not totally giving up yet either I would really appreciate if schools would just reject me if they're not interested. I have more respect for schools that give people a straight-up no, or a least a hold to say they've looked at you and are probably not interested. I have to assume that each school has at least initially passed on my app but I have a bunch where there is absolutley no way to check your status (temple, einstein, tufts). Waiting is so miserable! I'm really sorry BMLAX13. You have good stats, you gpa is well above mine although my mcat is a little higher. This process is a total crapshoot, anyone will tell you that. I applied in Sept/October and if I end up having to do it again I am definitely definitely applying by July. It really increases your chances at getting interviews, maybe we'd even have acceptances by now. I don't know about the interviewing for the waitlist thing...I know it gets harder to get accepted later in the cycle but I don't think the chances for an outright acceptance drop to zero. I want this so so SO bad. I am definitely not giving up, but holy heck this process is so unbearable.

 

[holyhekshler]

100% false. At my school they are not offering any straight up acceptances past january.

Other schools will flat out tell you that you are interviewing for a waitlist spot if you ask them.

Where do you go to school, btw?

 

[DrBowtie]

Where do you go to school, btw?

I'd rather not say, but like I said, at this stage in the game I would call to clarify before you spend the money to go.

Obviously if you aren't sitting on any acceptances then you kinda have to but just be aware that the class is most likely overfilled.

 

[Techno]

You don't interview for "waitlist spots"...
Schools typically offer an amount of acceptance equal to twice the number of seats it actually has.

Im glad there are people here who actually know what they are talking about. So they can correct ignorance like this.

 

[MiniMoo]

100% false. At my school they are not offering any straight up acceptances past january.

Other schools will flat out tell you that you are interviewing for a waitlist spot if you ask them.

True. For example, if it's late enough in the year, the email interview invite that MCW sends out actually states that they are offering a chance to interview for a spot on their waitlist. I think other schools do the same, but aren't so upfront about it. I've heard of OOS students showing up to a USC interview late in the season only to be told AFTER they got there that they were only going to be considered for the waitlist. Sucks.

 

[Morsetlis]

Im glad there are people here who actually know what they are talking about. So they can correct ignorance like this.

This wasn't so at the schools I interviewed at, so ok.

 

[holyhekshler]

I'd rather not say, but like I said, at this stage in the game I would call to clarify before you spend the money to go.

Obviously if you aren't sitting on any acceptances then you kinda have to but just be aware that the class is most likely overfilled.

i.e. NYMC
niiiice.😛
Well, like you said, I don't really have a choice at this point 🙂 At least I'm driving down so it won't cost me an extra plane ticket. I was actually able to schedule my interview for one of the first days in March when I was already coming back to the states and I know that interviews run all the way through april so at least I'm not at the total back of the line. Thanks for the heads up though! I have a strong feeling that I'm gonna end up on my state school's waitlist so at least 4 waitlists is better than 3! Still praying for an acceptance though. (please god please god please god please please, etc.)

 

[holyhekshler]

You don't interview for "waitlist spots"...
Schools typically offer an amount of acceptance equal to twice the number of seats it actually has.

The first part of this may be false but the second part is DEFINITELY true, often 3x as many. You can find that info anywhere...

 

[Techno]

This wasn't so at the schools I interviewed at, so ok.

Sorry if that came off as rude. It's important that the information we put out there for others is accurate. 😉

 

[Techno]

The first part of this may be false but the second part is DEFINITELY true, often 3x as many. You can find that info anywhere...

Yea I thought it was pretty obvious the second part is true. I was referring to the first part.

 

[searun]

Pretty hosed. Most schools are interviewing for waitlist spots now.

I don't buy it. Why would Ad comms waste their time interviewing applicants for the waitlist - at this point every med school could fill their waitlist three times with the applicants they already have interviewed.

Ad comms are comprised of busy people who have better things to do with their time than needlessly interview people for their waitlist when they have already interviewed hundreds of applicants who are perfectly acceptable for their waitlist.

On a personal note, I interviewed in February during my interview season and was accepted. I decided not to attend this school but I definitely was not interviewing for the waitlist.

If you receive an interview invitation in February, go to it.....unless you already have a better offer.

 

[DrBowtie]

I don't buy it. Why would Ad comms waste their time interviewing applicants for the waitlist - at this point every med school could fill their waitlist three times with the applicants they already have interviewed.

Ad comms are comprised of busy people who have better things to do with their time than needlessly interview people for their waitlist when they have already interviewed hundreds of applicants who are perfectly acceptable for their waitlist.

On a personal note, I interviewed in February during my interview season and was accepted. I decided not to attend this school but I definitely was not interviewing for the waitlist.

If you receive an interview invitation in February, go to it.....unless you already have a better offer.

Again depends on the schools strategy. Some give out more straight up spots and some use the waitlist a lot. However my school is full, and when I interviewed many people said the same thing about other schools.

Most probably isn't right but the moral is to check as it gets later and later.