Northwestern Waitlist Thread

[pnasty]

Roll Call

Anyone know how much waitlist movement there is at NU? It is definitely my top choice.

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[oneaat]

so i've been wondering about this (not specific to northwestern, but since it was mentioned here...) - everyone has until May 15 to release all but one acceptance. so presumably, even with a couple of weeks leeway and a couple of weeks of mail time, waitlist acceptances should be out no later than mid-June. so outside of a few extreme cases and a few waitlist chain reactions (one person drops their spot, opening one up for someone else, etc), no one should be getting accepted by about July. and yet people do get accepted into July and August. how come? or is it so rare that people always talk it up in those rare instances, making it seem more common?

or am i just crazy and missing something very obvious here?

 

[45408]

Signing in.

 

[pnasty]

from what ive heard Dean Brown actually calls you to tell you if you get on off the waitlist at NU

 

[OHare]

from what ive heard Dean Brown actually calls you to tell you if you get on off the waitlist at NU

Yes this is true. I was right next to my friend when it happened.

 

[hpm4]

Good luck everyone!! I hope you all get off the waitlist and come join the Northwestern Class of 2010 thread!!!!

 

[wildcat05]

so i've been wondering about this (not specific to northwestern, but since it was mentioned here...) - everyone has until May 15 to release all but one acceptance. so presumably, even with a couple of weeks leeway and a couple of weeks of mail time, waitlist acceptances should be out no later than mid-June. so outside of a few extreme cases and a few waitlist chain reactions (one person drops their spot, opening one up for someone else, etc), no one should be getting accepted by about July. and yet people do get accepted into July and August. how come? or is it so rare that people always talk it up in those rare instances, making it seem more common?

or am i just crazy and missing something very obvious here?

I think its because people who are accepted off of the waitlist may decline their acceptance and therefore the admissions people have to go to the next person and so on.

 

[keedz]

Hey,

Does anyone have an idea of how many people are on the waitlist at Northwestern?

 

[keedz]

Hey,

Does anyone know how many people are actually on the Northwestern waitlist?

 

[Dov]

Hey,

Does anyone know how many people are actually on the Northwestern waitlist?

I think they said at the interview 40-50% accepted outright, 10% rejected outright, the rest waitlisted... assume 40-50% of approx 700 interviews (about 300-400).

 

[pnasty]

I think they said at the interview 40-50% accepted outright, 10% rejected outright, the rest waitlisted... assume 40-50% of approx 700 interviews (about 300-400).

wow thats a lot of waitlists....altho on this site it seems like there have been more rejections than waitlists. i heard something about how a couple of years ago they overfilled their class so they are more cautious about it now. i guess we will see how it plays out, i just wish they would let us know what our rank is

 

[earmuffs]

This year 701 people were interviewed.

44.5% were accepted (312)
39.0% were placed on the alternate list (273)
16.5% were declined (116)

Good luck everyone!

 

[pnasty]

39.0% were placed on the alternate list (273)

yikes, im going to pretend i never saw that

 

[SmoothNC]

This year 701 people were interviewed.

44.5% were accepted (312)
39.0% were placed on the alternate list (273)
16.5% were declined (116)

Good luck everyone!

First off....I'm joining this thread as well and promise to be an active participant . But...are these numbers for real? Let's say there are around 130 spots for the regular MD students (less HPME's this year)....you are telling me that out of 312 acceptances, they won't get 130 people to committ to NU???? Were last years numbers around these as well? I really hope that Dean Brown didn't take more initially this year because she didn't want to take that many (50 !) from the waitlist. Chances don't look good this year 🙁 .

 

[pnasty]

there are around 130 spots for the regular MD students (less HPME's this year.

aw man i thought that 187 number already had taken off HPME students! its weird thinking there are people who view NU as a safety, but if you look at some of the people who got in during the Feb cycle a lot of those kids are top ten bound.

 

[girlMD03]

For all interested...I dropped off a letter today at the admissions office and asked if I could speak with one of the deans for a few minutes, but I was told that the deans will not speak with waitlisted applicants because our applications are still under consideration.
Does anyone at all get accepted before May 15th, or is it just that the majority of the movement happens after that date?

 

[45408]

yeah, I was told that the deans won't talk to us either. Voy a escribir!

 

[OrganLibrarian]

I withdrew from NU after being placed on the waitlist, so that's one less eager applicant trying to get in! I didn't want to wait...but I loved the school. Good luck to everyone!

 

[nuclearrabbit77]

First off....I'm joining this thread as well and promise to be an active participant . But...are these numbers for real? Let's say there are around 130 spots for the regular MD students (less HPME's this year)....you are telling me that out of 312 acceptances, they won't get 130 people to committ to NU???? Were last years numbers around these as well? I really hope that Dean Brown didn't take more initially this year because she didn't want to take that many (50 !) from the waitlist. Chances don't look good this year 🙁 .

those numbers are correct. the admissions committee sent these numbers to all those involved in interviewing or those on the committee.

 

[happydays]

I withdrew from NU after being placed on the waitlist, so that's one less eager applicant trying to get in! I didn't want to wait...but I loved the school. Good luck to everyone!

Yeah, I withdraw (actually over a month ago) and then they recently sent me a rejection letter. NU can't dump me after I dumped it.

 

[OrganLibrarian]

.

 

[pnasty]

Yeah, I withdraw

thanks for dropping your spots....

let me in!

 

[keedz]

Does anyone know exactly how long we have to wait to hear from the school? I'm planning to leave the country in late June and I want to give enough time so that I can do all the loan stuff with the school before I leave in case I get in.

 

[pnasty]

Does anyone know exactly how long we have to wait to hear from the school? I'm planning to leave the country in late June and I want to give enough time so that I can do all the loan stuff with the school before I leave in case I get in.

i think a lot of the movement will be around the may 15th date. i have heard of people getting in mid july as well, but the majority will be around the decision date i think

 

[eastsidaz]

So uh...does anyone know if there is any kind of ranking, or a "priority" waitlist? Just curious.

 

[pnasty]

thanks for withdrawing! there is somewhat of a debate over whether or not there is a priority waitlist or not....the school says there isnt but many people believe that there is a priority pool and a general pool. irregardless, it doesnt sound like you will find out which one you are on

 

[oneaat]

question - i want to send a letter reiterating my interest in the school and updating them on my life (a lot actually has changed since my october interview). would i address and send the letter to dean brown or what?

 

[girlMD03]

Yeah, I'd address it to Dean Brown.

 

[pnasty]

yes, dean brown

 

[pnasty]

where have we all gone? i have been calling and wrote a letter so far. once when i called i said something liek i bet you get these calls all the time, and she said you have no idea and i think thats when i first realized how 200 some waitlisters are all tryin to do the same thing i am!

i also asked when we could start seeing some movement, and she said usually in june. anyone else keeping up with the phone calls?

 

[eastsidaz]

Eh I doubt it's 200-some. A lot of those people have plenty of other acceptances to schools they're probably equally interested in. But just think--50-75 zealous waitlisters, each calling once a week, would seem like a flood for one or two poor admissions office workers. 10-15 calls per day, and that's only the waitlisters, not to mention the calls they're probably getting from people about Second Look, etc. They must spend enormous amounts of time on the phone. Poor girls.

 

[dom1n1c]

When I was interviewing, one of the interviewers told me that even if I don't get in directly, I would be one of the first off the waitlist.Thankfully I got straight in.

Don't lose hope though.There will be alot of people going elsewhere.Afew of my friends with multiple acceptances will be dropping NU this week b/c they got full rides elsewhere.They are sad to leave though.Anyway just thought I'd let you guys know.

 

[lookslikerain]

where have we all gone? i have been calling and wrote a letter so far. once when i called i said something liek i bet you get these calls all the time, and she said you have no idea and i think thats when i first realized how 200 some waitlisters are all tryin to do the same thing i am!

i also asked when we could start seeing some movement, and she said usually in june. anyone else keeping up with the phone calls?

I'm not wl'ed at Northwestern, but I am at another top 20 school. I was wondering .... what do you say each time you call? Just that you are still very interested in the school? If you're calling every week or so, how do you come up with different things to say? And are you just talking to the admissions secretaries, or to the dean? Thanks.

 

[girlMD03]

I have the same question...I'm waitlisted at NU and I just don't know what to say anymore! When you guys call what do you say besides I'm calling to express my interest AGAIN?

 

[keedz]

Yeah, so I have the same problem. Are we supposed to be like "ummm...you interviewed me on this day and I really, really want to come to your school"? I feel really silly about this LOI. The only thing of substance that I have to talk about is that I'm now a published author. Should I focus my letter on that? Help! Someone! Pleeeese!

 

[pnasty]

I have the same question...I'm waitlisted at NU and I just don't know what to say anymore! When you guys call what do you say besides I'm calling to express my interest AGAIN?

the ladies that answer the phone are super nice so don't be afraid of calling them....i dont think you can really say anything wrong. that said, if its your top choice just sound really enthusiastic in saying you would like to express your continuing interest and they will handle it from there i.e. asking you your name and logging your call.

 

[pls accept me]

the ladies that answer the phone are super nice so don't be afraid of calling them....i dont think you can really say anything wrong. that said, if its your top choice just sound really enthusiastic in saying you would like to express your continuing interest and they will handle it from there i.e. asking you your name and logging your call.

😱 You don't even have to ask them about writing down your name? The ladies at NW really were nice!

 

[Thundrstorm]

Yeah, so I have the same problem. Are we supposed to be like "ummm...you interviewed me on this day and I really, really want to come to your school"? I feel really silly about this LOI. The only thing of substance that I have to talk about is that I'm now a published author. Should I focus my letter on that? Help! Someone! Pleeeese!

Hey, be glad you have an update. Lots of people don't have anything new to report. You can also discuss what exactly you like about NU and what you can bring to the school.

 

[eastsidaz]

Does the dean of admissions take people off the waitlist personally, or is it the committee? I'm on several waitlists and would love to know how this works.

 

[mchou]

Hey guys,
I just withdrew from Northwestern today (was accepted and debated it) I hear lots of people get in off the waitlist and that a big key is calling every 2 weeks, every week or so once you get close to the end of april/early may. Express interest! Chin up!

 

[pnasty]

Does the dean of admissions take people off the waitlist personally, or is it the committee? I'm on several waitlists and would love to know how this works.

it probably depends on the school. i think for most schools (the two schools I am waitlisted at said this to me at least), they have a commitee that meets once a large enough amount of openings are available, and then they decide on the amount they need. The question I have is since schools can see where we got in now, does this affect how they decide on waitlist stuff?

 

[keedz]

it probably depends on the school. i think for most schools (the two schools I am waitlisted at said this to me at least), they have a commitee that meets once a large enough amount of openings are available, and then they decide on the amount they need. The question I have is since schools can see where we got in now, does this affect how they decide on waitlist stuff?

They can see where we get in??!! 😱 I had NO idea. Oh well, I'll still be callin..

 

[lookslikerain]

The question I have is since schools can see where we got in now, does this affect how they decide on waitlist stuff?

I'm really curious about this too. I wonder if they are more prone to take people off the waitlist who are accepted to schools that they they think they won't choose over theirs. Or if a person has multiple acceptances vs only one acceptance, I wonder if they decide to take the person with less acceptances? Of course, this is without considering LOIs. I just don't understand waitlists. 😕

 

[pnasty]

Good story. I am a little confused though. Mr. Feinberg has to wait to see what the responses of those he already asked to the prom are (which will be May 15th). The girl has to decide on one of the guys that has already asked her by May 15th (otherwise if Mr. Feinberg for some reason doesn't call, the girl is gonna miss the prom completely). Surely Mr. Feinberg can't only be looking for someone without a date, because although the girl is in love with him she had to pick some guy to go with! Most of the girls that Mr. Feinberg is pondering most likely already have dates to the prom as well. So the girl calls Mr. Feinberg every week, and even writes him saying that if he calls her she will drop all other offers to the prom and accept his, and only his.

Which one of these three girls does Mr. Feinberg prefer? The hot one, the popular one, or the flirty and lonely one? The girl knows that all three must be calling Mr. Feinberg, and worries that she will not be picked. Surely Mr. Feinberg wants to pick the prettiest, smartest girl that wants to go with him, not wasting time on ones that he doesnt want or that dont want him.

(Sure some girls will dump a guy when a better guy comes along but would such a girl then do the same at the last minute if an even better offer comes along?? A chance you want to take and go through this all over again? or is Mr. Feinberg so sure of his attractiveness that it would be unlikely that anyone would dump him for someone more appealing?)

It sounds like from this part of the story Mr. Feinberg would prefer someone with no invitations so far. The super popular girl will dissapear after May 15th because she has to pick someone, and then becomes the hot one...still waiting for her dream man. I hope he does not prefer the flirty, lonely one! I may have already been asked a couple times, but I am definitely set on dancing with Mr. Feinberg. Of course Mr. Feinberg may think I am waiting on a couple of people to ask, but hopefully my letters have shown that he is really my dreamy hunk.

(It is really hard to type "she" everywhere when I am talking about myself!)

 

[eastsidaz]

I agree. But I doubt there are very many girls on Mr. Feinberg's list of possible invitees who haven't already been asked by someone else, even if it's the captain of the chess team or comic book club.

 

[pnasty]

Thanks for the clarification Lizzy. Your Jane Austin style actually answered a couple of questions I have had for a while.

Little over a month left before we start hearing about waitlist movements. I can't believe how long its been since my interview (9/30)! NU was definitely my favorite school out of the ones I interviewed at. Good luck everyone

(Somebody else who is waitlisted post on here because scrolling up i think i pretty much have every other comment!)

 

[45408]

Well, I sure hope Mr. Feinberg realizes that this "girl" would love to go with him to prom, and she certainly wouldn't go with anyone else.

 

[keedz]

Okay guys, please tell me that this is not a big deal, either that or I just made all of your odds at getting in better. I sent a LOI out yesterday and I'm realizing that I called her 'Dr' Brown instead of DEAN Brown. 😱 I can't believe this. And my letter was good too (at least I think so). Please, is this going to reflect negatively on me?

 

[eastsidaz]

Okay guys, please tell me that this is not a big deal, either that or I just made all of your odds at getting in better. I sent a LOI out yesterday and I'm realizing that I called her 'Dr' Brown instead of DEAN Brown. 😱 I can't believe this. And my letter was good too (at least I think so). Please, is this going to reflect negatively on me?

I honestly doubt she cares. She probably gets that all the time--people assume that a medical school admissions dean is an MD, even though she isn't. If anything, it'll make you stick out in her mind when she goes to the list. 😛

 

[keedz]

I honestly doubt she cares. She probably gets that all the time--people assume that a medical school admissions dean is an MD, even though she isn't. If anything, it'll make you stick out in her mind when she goes to the list. 😛

Thanks alot!