waitlisted into a MBS program and don't know what to do

[tchien100]

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I plan on applying to medical school this cycle. At the same time, I will be participating in a one-year masters program. I have gotten into the MS program for Case Western Reserve University and have been wait-listed into the Tufts' MBS program. I would very much like to start on my medschool application at this time, but Tufts does not begin to review their applications until mid-July (and at that time it would be kind of late to begin the AMCAS app). Is it necessary to let medschools know on the AMCAS app that I am/will be attending a masters program at this time or can I just retroactively let medschools know that I will be attending such a program? I very much want to attend the Tufts program. Thanks in advance for any input.

 

[DrMidlife]

can I just retroactively let medschools know that I will be attending such a program?

Yes, but when you apply, you should list the currently planned program as a work in progress. You are vastly overestimating the relative prestige of an MBS program. Either Case Western or Tufts on AMCAS is fine.

After AMCAS is submitted, it's up to you to deal with updates to schools. If you get into Tufts after your AMCAS is submitted, then send letters to your schools advising them of the change.

Either way, get your SMP to issue a letter explaining the program, at the start of the program. Get that letter sent to Interfolio (so that you're not restricted to AMCAS' letter service). Get that letter to all of your schools.

When you get your first semester grades (assuming you don't have an MD acceptance yet), get another letter and get your transcript out to all your schools.

If your app is already pretty strong, then your MD app results won't hinge on the SMP. If your app isn't very strong without the SMP, then you can expect to be put in a hold pile until January, and applying in June vs. July doesn't matter.

Best of luck to you.

 

[tchien100]

Yes, but when you apply, you should list the currently planned program as a work in progress. You are vastly overestimating the relative prestige of an MBS program. Either Case Western or Tufts on AMCAS is fine.

After AMCAS is submitted, it's up to you to deal with updates to schools. If you get into Tufts after your AMCAS is submitted, then send letters to your schools advising them of the change.

Either way, get your SMP to issue a letter explaining the program, at the start of the program. Get that letter sent to Interfolio (so that you're not restricted to AMCAS' letter service). Get that letter to all of your schools.

When you get your first semester grades (assuming you don't have an MD acceptance yet), get another letter and get your transcript out to all your schools.

If your app is already pretty strong, then your MD app results won't hinge on the SMP. If your app isn't very strong without the SMP, then you can expect to be put in a hold pile until January, and applying in June vs. July doesn't matter.

Best of luck to you.

So what you're saying is that I should just go ahead and say on my AMCAS app that I will be attending Case, but if/should I decide to attend Tufts all I have to do is notify them of the change?

 

[DrMidlife]

So what you're saying is that I should just go ahead and say on my AMCAS app that I will be attending Case, but if/should I decide to attend Tufts all I have to do is notify them of the change?

Yup. "them" means med schools, not AMCAS. The odds of this having any affect on your app are pretty low - it's an MBS, at one well-known school or another.

 

[tchien100]

Yup. "them" means med schools, not AMCAS. The odds of this having any affect on your app are pretty low - it's an MBS, at one well-known school or another.

I see. Thanks a lot for your advice! It helped a lot.

 

[StarlingForce1]

Are you doing a masters for grade remediation, or were you not a science major in undergrad / did not complete the medical school prerequisites? In either case, if doing an SMP/Postbacc to improve your chances of admission, it would be pertinent to have some coursework completed in these programs before applying, so that the medical schools can see what you are capable of in the classroom at this level of study. If you apply to medical school before completing any coursework, you are not able to provide that information about yourself.

 

[Helen Wheels]

I think you should skip this med school app cycle and here's why...

Most people do an SMP to improve their chances for med school acceptance. If you submit your AMCAS this cycle, the best you can do to show schools how you are doing is to update them on your grades in December. By that time, it is pretty late in the cycle and you are already at a disadvantage, if they haven't already rejected you. As painful as it is, I'd wait another year to apply when you have a whole year of official grades for your application (which are hopefully very high grades).

IMHO, it is better to wait and present the strongest possible application rather than be a re-applicant.

 

[QofQuimica]

OP, please don't post the same thread in multiple forums. Merging here.