So after receiving my 4th wait list this cycle I am beginning to panic a bit. I still have yet to hear from 2 schools but at this time I feel like it is important to start thinking of a backup plan. I have a 32R (13/8/11) on my second take (26Q the first time) and a 3.65 cum and science GPA. From what I hear my LORs are great and my experiences include multiple years of research with one pub and a good amount of clinical volunteering. My question is, should I consider applying to a special masters program offered by schools such as Tufts or Georgetown. I applied only MD this cycle and will not consider applying DO. You're help would be much appreciated, thanks!
Panic has set in...
- Thread starter dnovikov
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Did you make the mistake of solely applying top-heavy?
The stats are very good and pursuing an SMP might end up killing an otherwise good set of numbers. An SMP is all or nothing, if you mess it up, your medical school chances are done. It's better to pursue it if your grades and MCAT are bad.
So what can you do to help yourself in case you need to re-apply? I hate to say it... Ugh... Oh no... Here goes... Do more ECs.
Did you make the mistake of solely applying top-heavy?
The stats are very good and pursuing an SMP might end up killing an otherwise good set of numbers. An SMP is all or nothing, if you mess it up, your medical school chances are done. It's better to pursue it if your grades and MCAT are bad.
So what can you do to help yourself in case you need to re-apply? I hate to say it... Ugh... Oh no... Here goes... Do more ECs.
Well this is my WAMC thread from the beginning of the cycle:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=941314
I would say I applied fairly broadly and have been doing EC's throughout this whole application cycle. I did apply failrly late, submitted my primary July 27th so maybe thats it. I don't think I am a terrible interviewee as I am personable and outgoing.
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i know being on the WL sucks (I'm on five of them 🙁) but with 4 you still have a good chance at getting in this cycle. Just make sure you send LOIs and be proactive.
hang in there man. I know its tough but you've made it so far (farther than most). Don't loose hope. Your stats look great from the looks of it. Have you tried sending in a letter of intent? Just apply to SMP programs just in case since you have nothing more to do than just wait for now. Good luck!
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Wow, you have pretty good stats and ECs! I think applying as early as possible next year while continuing volunteering would probably be helpful. Also, if you will end up having a ton of time, then maybe try studying for the MCAT again, if you're confident that you can nail it. You had a huge jump going onto your second one.
Just don't do an SMP, that would be a very unwise decision. I think others would agree.
Yea..I'd agree. SMP is for those that have low cGPA's for any reason and are determined to prove that they can handle the science courses at an advanced level. If it were me I'd try to think of reasons to make my app better for the next cycle. Keep in mind SMP's are very costly too atleast in some institutions.
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4 waitlists are better than none.
Waitlist movement has just started at some schools. Some haven't even had anyone get in off the waitlist yet. The only thing you can do is wait.
This was shared on the University of Washington school specific thread. This is the waitlist movement and date of movement from the class of 2015. Specifically look at the WA/OOR column (which would be "out of state" applicants and Washington applicants combined.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet...authkey=CPrT4MoP&hl=en&authkey=CPrT4MoP#gid=0
As you can see, not a lot of movement happens until late April/early May. Then the list moves a ton! This isn't even a no name school. UW is consistently ranked in the top 15 for research/#1 primary care for the previous 19 years and #2 this last year. UW accepted all the way to alternate #45 for WA/OOR. A total of 64 people got in off the waitlist.
tl;dr Wait until closer to May 15th and you will likely get into at least one of your waitlists.
Waitlist movement has just started at some schools. Some haven't even had anyone get in off the waitlist yet. The only thing you can do is wait.
This was shared on the University of Washington school specific thread. This is the waitlist movement and date of movement from the class of 2015. Specifically look at the WA/OOR column (which would be "out of state" applicants and Washington applicants combined.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet...authkey=CPrT4MoP&hl=en&authkey=CPrT4MoP#gid=0
As you can see, not a lot of movement happens until late April/early May. Then the list moves a ton! This isn't even a no name school. UW is consistently ranked in the top 15 for research/#1 primary care for the previous 19 years and #2 this last year. UW accepted all the way to alternate #45 for WA/OOR. A total of 64 people got in off the waitlist.
tl;dr Wait until closer to May 15th and you will likely get into at least one of your waitlists.
Waitlist, although you must wait longer than you'd hope, is not a death sentence. Stay active with your ECs and send letters of interest to the schools your on the Waitlist for. If you keep showing interest, you'll have a much better chance of getting accepted. Keep persevering.
If you don't hear back by June, consider reapplying, albeit this time much earlier in June. In terms of a SMP, I really don't think that's for you. Your stats are fine. Perhaps it's more clinical experience that you need, or some other activity. Strengthen those weaknesses and reapply.
You should probably shadow a PCP for a couple days. Some of the mid/lower tier schools are really into pumping out primary care doctors so they may feel that you're not the right "fit" if you've only shadowed an orthopedic surgeon.
I'm so glad you posted this. I'm going through a similar issue. I've been waitlisted at 2 schools since November. One is an MD/PhD and the other is MD. I don't know if I should be making alternative plans or securing a job because I would apply after a year (I'm too emotionally drained to reapply right away). I don't want to secure one just in case I get off the waitlist but on the other hand, I'm worried I won't get a job if I wait till July. What do you guys think I should do? I've been freaking out the past couple of days.
Sorry you are in this situation, it really sucks specially since you seem to have a pretty strong app. As others have said, with 4 wait-lists you still have a decent shot, and I know some schools (UVM for example) tends to accept a lot of people of wait-lists (I have heard they keep up to 30% of there spots open until after the deadline) so don't panic until a a couple of weeks after the lists start to move.
If you don't get in, I suggest contacting some of the schools you are most interested in and asking what you can do to improve for next cycle. At the very least, it will indicate interest for next time, but it may also reveal some gaps in you application. If there is something specific missing (i.e clinical experience, too low grades, etc...) you can then focus on that for next year. I would especially do this before applying for an SMP program since it will be a major time commitment, and may not address the real issue.
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There is a panic thread for this
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