On waitlists but no acceptances, is it time to panic?

[ElKapitan]

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Seriously, I am on 4 waitlists but have not been accepted anywhere. Do you think that it is time to start panicking?

 

[Law2Doc]

Seriously, I am on 4 waitlists but have not been accepted anywhere. Do you think that it is time to start panicking?

Not yet. Most waitlists will move significantly right after May 15, as applicants are only allowed to hold an acceptance at one school as of that date, and will be withdrawing from all their other acceptances. If you don't hear anything by a few weeks after that, you can probably start panicking.

 

[scrappysurfer]

come around June 15th, its time to panic

unfortunately, it might be worthwhile to think about holes in your application and how you might patch them should you need to reapply this summer.

 

[ElKapitan]

Not yet. Most waitlists will move significantly right after May 15, as applicants are only allowed to hold an acceptance at one school as of that date, and will be withdrawing from all their other acceptances. If you don't hear anything by a few weeks after that, you can probably start panicking.

So is it safe to say that may 29th, is the Panic Day. If by may 29th I am not accepted somewhere, then I may have a nervous breakdown. I am happy with this date, thank you.

 

[Law2Doc]

So is it safe to say that may 29th, is the Panic Day. If by may 29th I am not accepted somewhere, then I may have a nervous breakdown. I am happy with this date, thank you.

Well, I would try and enjoy the memorial day weekend, and then start panicking. So I think May 31 is a better panic day. Good luck.

 

[KiKat37]

I think you should give yourself some more time... June 15th maybe? Things won't start moving until mid-May anyway, so I wouldn't start panicking until mid-June or so. It also depends on what schools you are waitlisted at, how their waitlist functions (ranked or not), and where you stand (top or bottom).

But, after May 15th, you should def. start sending letters of interest/update/intent. I have several friends who were waitlisted last year, and they all got off the waitlist after sending a bunch of letters to the deans of the schools they were interested in (like once a week, crazy! 😱 )

Best of luck!

 

[Revolution #9]

Maybe it is time to worry, but it is never time to panic. Start drawing up a back up plan for what you will do if you won't get in. But I hope you do!

 

[medic170]

Not yet. Most waitlists will move significantly right after May 15, as applicants are only allowed to hold an acceptance at one school as of that date, and will be withdrawing from all their other acceptances. If you don't hear anything by a few weeks after that, you can probably start panicking.

Exactly what I was going to say. Most waitlisters will not hear a peep until after may 15.

 

[beep]

as much as possible, try not to panic at all

 

[LizzyM]

Keep those cards & letters coming. Be in touch with the Dean of Admissions on a monthly basis, up-date what you've been doing, why you still want to attend medical school, why x school would be ideal. I know a guy who wrote a LOI in August and was pulled from the waitlist about 2 weeks before school started.

Believe me, when an opening comes up in July or August (and sometimes it happens) the Dean wants to plug that hole as efficiently as possible.

 

[ElKapitan]

Keep those cards & letters coming. Be in touch with the Dean of Admissions on a monthly basis, up-date what you've been doing, why you still want to attend medical school, why x school would be ideal. I know a guy who wrote a LOI in August and was pulled from the waitlist about 2 weeks before school started.

Believe me, when an opening comes up in July or August (and sometimes it happens) the Dean wants to plug that hole as efficiently as possible.

Honestly, I don't get how people can write updates to their file. I haven't really done anything new, I graduated from undergrad two years ago, there are no new grades for me. I work full time, and I already volunteer, what am I suppose to add?

 

[ElKapitan]

Also june 15th seems like a good panic day as well, however, if I wait a few weeks longer to panic, it will only make the nervous break down worse. I guess I will have to weigh the pros and cons before I set my official panic date.

 

[Law2Doc]

Also june 15th seems like a good panic day as well, however, if I wait a few weeks longer to panic, it will only make the nervous break down worse. I guess I will have to weigh the pros and cons before I set my official panic date.

Maybe you can ease into panic mode -- a few hours a day starting after the end of may. That way the impact of June 15 -- your official full blown panic day -- won't be as dramatic. 🙄

 

[Freakingzooming]

I was in your shoes about a month ago. Do you have any other schools you're still waiting on, post-interview? Just keep your head up and like everyone has said, be aggressive and persistent on your waitlist schools.

 

[kwc1979]

Honestly, I don't get how people can write updates to their file. I haven't really done anything new, I graduated from undergrad two years ago, there are no new grades for me. I work full time, and I already volunteer, what am I suppose to add?

I agree completely...I was just thinking that I have done absolutely nothing new since most of my interviews. Worse even, I am hoping to quit my current research job and do something fun this summer. So if I write a letter to any of the schools I have been or will be waitlisted at, I will have to say that I am doing less than what I was doing before! I hate playing these med school games....it's so not my style. Good luck though...with 4 waitlists I think you should be in pretty good shape!

 

[sunUCB]

same here - i'm in school and still have nothing to add (my senior grades are not worth sending, they suck) but if you really want to write an update letter, write them a letter of interest or something....take your top choice school and tell them why they are your top choice....not stuff taken right off of their website, but more your personal reasons why you would choose their school over any other school....schools tend to like that.

Honestly, I don't get how people can write updates to their file. I haven't really done anything new, I graduated from undergrad two years ago, there are no new grades for me. I work full time, and I already volunteer, what am I suppose to add?

 

[Ranger47]

Ya, I'm in the same boat. 0 acceptances, 2 waitlists (vandy, columbia), 0 left to hear back from. I am getting kind of worried. I also haven't done anything new, so I'll just keep sending the same old letters. I feel your pain.

 

[PBMaxx]

3 waitlists, 0 acceptences, 5 have-yet-to-hear-from-pre-interview.

Time for patience, panic will come later.

 

[amnesia]

3 waitlists, 0 acceptences, 5 have-yet-to-hear-from-pre-interview.

Time for patience, panic will come later.

*sigh*

 

[PBMaxx]

*sigh*

*cough*

 

[Ranger47]

*cough*

*arg*

 

[drwlo]

I have serveral friends that got off the waitlists last year. Especially at Vandy and Columbia a lot of it is effort. Make sure you address all communication to the Dean of Admissions, not the office. They are the one making the decision and it's more likely to reach them if it's addressed to them. Don't give up! Just remember, if you don't contact them they assume you're happy with your situation. I would write a letter May 15th and if you're not accepted by May 31st write them another one.

 

[LimboSurfer]

I'm on 3... MCO, Albany, and VCU.


Hopefully, I'll be escaping limbo eventually. It's my first year applying, I've already been to grad school, done research, worked in a prison hospital, had a good MCAT, etc. Trying to think of a creative thing to do if things fall through. I feel the pain of the rest of you waitlist onlys, though.

Do you think it's possible to be too much of a pest? How often should you try to communicate?

 

[DianaLynne]

I'd wait even later to panic. I heard about one guy getting into Michigan the week before orientation, so it seriously can still happen. I would however be in serious stress mode even now, it's so frustrating to not be able to make travel/moving plans in advance.

And it's never too soon to start thinking about implementing the Plan B. After all, Plan B stuff has to be good stuff cuz it's what's going to put you over the top for next year.

 

[marina]

I'm in the same boat. I applied at three schools and I'm on the wait list for all of them. Only, one doesn't rank and the other two won't tell me if I do have a ranking. Why do schools like to keep us in the dark like this?!
I'm working on my plan B. I just don't know what kind of job I should get. I'm an English major, so no one will/should hire me for research.
Any job ideas? I thought about looking for a non-profit agency...

good luck everyone!

 

[Birde]

I have been waitlisted at two schools and no acceptances. I feel the same as you marina, that the medical schools keep us in the dark. I dont understand why they cannot be more transparent in their application process. Just let me know where I am ranked and how many people usually get in each year, so that I may plan my freaken life. 😡 I applied to MD and DO programs, I got into a DO school I really like, so my situation isnt too bad. 🙂

 

[GiantGiantsFan]

worst-case scenario: if you do not receive an offer from any school, make sure you call them and tell them of your dilemma, and discuss with them how you could improve on subsequent applications. Most admissions officers are happy to do this. I know someone who didnt get into med school the first time around; she is set to graduate from medical school this June. In her case, more clinical experience is what they were after.

 

[evendry707]

I've heard of people sending letters every week, calling every day, etc. But what the hell are these people putting in these letters? Who are they talking to on the phone? And what are they saying to whoever is on the other end? I'm intent on trying to get into Northwestern. I'm sending them 2 more rec. letters, and an update letter. But I've already mentioned what I'm doing now in my secondary application. I could go into a few more details, but there's nothing really significant. What are people updating with?!?!

 

[tinkerbelle]

I'd wait even later to panic. I heard about one guy getting into Michigan the week before orientation, so it seriously can still happen.

My friend got into EVMS the day before classes started. I have never seen anyone pack up and move so quickly 😀

 

[tinkerbelle]

I'm working on my plan B. I just don't know what kind of job I should get. I'm an English major, so no one will/should hire me for research.
Any job ideas? I thought about looking for a non-profit agency...

you could teach

 

[t33sg1rl]

I'm on the wait list at Cincinnati, Case Western, and Ohio State (just found that out yesterday), and I haven't heard from MCO yet but one of my interviews there did NOT go well. I was rejected from Neoucom right after I interviewed there, and Wright didn't even interview me. So, I'm already officially panicking... I do research now, and today I interviewed a candidate for my own position-it's nerve-wracking. At least MCO explained their process in exhaustive detail. I can't figure out if I'll be outright rejected or waitlisted-one interview was terrible, but the other was excellent.

Quick question: Since I have just been waitlisted at OSU, I have to return their silly confirmation page. Should I include a letter of interest with it? Or should I save the letter for post May 15 and avoid using up all my syrupy language?

Let me in, let me in, by the hair on my chinny chin chin...

 

[blue2000]

A ton of excellent med schools let over half of their eventual class in off of the wait list (I spent a year as a voting member on an admissions committee). Great schools have a good number of spots open up in June, July, even early August. Have a Plan B, but there is no reason to think your Plan A isn't going to happen.

PS: I got into med school June 28th, and I'm going to my first choice residency in general surgery. Don't worry too much yet. It's all good.

 

[WaitCommiserate]

Who are you, where did you come from, and will you marry me?

A ton of excellent med schools let over half of their eventual class in off of the wait list (I spent a year as a voting member on an admissions committee). Great schools have a good number of spots open up in June, July, even early August. Have a Plan B, but there is no reason to think your Plan A isn't going to happen.

PS: I got into med school June 28th, and I'm going to my first choice residency in general surgery. Don't worry too much yet. It's all good.

 

[WaitCommiserate]

Thanks for lighting that spark of optimism inside me.... I'm a little less depressed now... =)

Who are you, where did you come from, and will you marry me?

 

[lfesiam]

I'm on one waitlist...yea never give up hope.

plan A:
off the waitlist

here's my contingency plan B: (applying now)
gtown smp
evms masters
columbia biotech masters
upitt bioethics

sure plan C: (june deadline)
jeffs MS in Pharm or Molecular (where i'm working now, free ride but 2years though)
upenn post-bac special sciences program no degree.

 

[vivek311r]

Hey guys, I have an ethical question:

I've been waitlisted at MCV, not accepted to any allopathic school, and accepted to an osteopathic (VCOM). For those of you familiar with the VCU status page, they have an option for people that have been accepted somewhere, have not been accepted anywhere, but still wish to stay on the list. Right now I have the second option clicked, that I have not been accepted anywhere but still wish to stay on the w. list. Is this horribly unethical? I mean, in a way it's "kind of" the truth, in that I haven't been accepted to an allopathic school.

Your opinions please. Thanks!

 

[DocStretch]

ElKap, I'd wait until well into June before hitting the complete panic button. I guess it depends on where you're waitlisted, but one admissions office I just spoke with said they don't really get moving with the list until around the begining of June b/c they wait to make sure all the snailmail has come in declining offers. G'luck

 

[javert]

I posted this on another thread somewhere, but it's worth repeating here.

In 2003, someone got in to Hopkins off of their waitlist 2 days before the start of classes because one of the entering students was in the Reserves and was being shipped off to Iraq. True story (came straight from the mouth of a Dean).

 

[Ames980]

im on 3 waitlists right now [tentativly 4 - just had an interview at loyola **crossing fingers, chanting, lighting candles, etc**] and i have heard from the office of both evms and loyola that the majority of movement is between may 15-the first week of june, then theres another small wave the first week of july.... im trying to hold out for july before totally wigging out

 

[mr. sparkle]

i'm in the same boat too. 4 waitlists + 1 hold.... good luck to everyone.

 

[jiggaman]

I think I have all of you all beat, Im waitlisted at 7!!! schools. They are all allopathic. Im still waiting to hear back from one more and im hoping that will be an acceptance.

 

[iamcanadian]

I think I have all of you all beat, Im waitlisted at 7!!! schools. They are all allopathic. Im still waiting to hear back from one more and im hoping that will be an acceptance.

i hate to steal your thunder dude, but i'm waitlisted at 8 schools 😱 with no acceptances! good luck to you (and please wish me luck 😉 )

 

[adamj61]

well it looks like we can hope for bush to start another war so some more spots open up. I am waitlisted at 3, MN, UW and tulane...my plan A better go through. Plan B only includes creighton and georgetown...maybe just getting a job in mexcio and applying next year to different schools. I really don't think I need to fill a hole in my app...besides my 7 in verbal, which I could just retake that and get a 10 and I am in at MCW because they take the top in each section. Anyway, my freakout date is like the first week in june...I will then enter a state of prolonged drug and alcohol abuse.

 

[Medikit]

well it looks like we can hope for bush to start another war so some more spots open up. I am waitlisted at 3, MN, UW and tulane...my plan A better go through. Plan B only includes creighton and georgetown...maybe just getting a job in mexcio and applying next year to different schools. I really don't think I need to fill a hole in my app...besides my 7 in verbal, which I could just retake that and get a 10 and I am in at MCW because they take the top in each section. Anyway, my freakout date is like the first week in june...I will then enter a state of prolonged drug and alcohol abuse.

I'm rooting for you

 

[clc8503]

There's always osteopathy.Thats my back up plan. I hope you get in though. Good luck!


Yours,
Caraway

 

[adamj61]

I'm rooting for you

Thank you, no one wants to see me trying to grow a cactus or turning towards a career in gonzo journalism or something along those lines.

 

[Medikit]

Thank you, no one wants to see me trying to grow a cactus or turning towards a career in gonzo journalism or something along those lines.

I just don't want to see you in the mcat testing room again. I'm on two waitlists and hoping for some action as well.

 

[NPursuit]

well it looks like we can hope for bush to start another war

🙄 Perhaps you just came across as logically inconsistent in your interviews.

Sorry, you dish out crap, you better take it. 😉