Penn Waitlist Poll/thread

[Textuality]

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Oh man, I hope Pitt isn't gonna be full of pissed off Penn and Hopkins rejects.

Haha, nah, I"m not pissed off, I love Pitt for its own sake. And some of us might be a little stung right after the rejections, but by the time we're at second look, we'll probably all be eager beavers to go to Pitt 🙂

I'm more worried that Pitt might have over accepted, heh.

 

[CornellPreMed]

yeah, i thought i had read that somewhere too. i have been wondering about how this works for a while too. can anybody clarify or point me/us in the right direction?

I only know of this one example, not about what rules schools usually abide by when it comes to how late they can accept applicants. Hopkins definitely stole this guy from Pitt 2 weeks in, but I don't think that happens often. And there may be some schools that wouldn't do that.

But the point is, it happened. I'd rather not be in that kind of position. Knowing it's a possibility annoys/scares me. Getting settled in somewhere, and BOOM, your dream school offers you a place...ughh

 

[AlaskaGrown]

Regular Waitlist Tier 1 ... not suprised though. With no secondary and two so-so interviews, I didn't have much of a chance to present myself. No biggie. I guess I'm most likely not meant to go there. But I would have really liked to meet you all. Text, too bad I can't afford to make it to the Pitt 2nd look.

 

[Textuality]

I only know of this one example, not about what rules schools usually abide by when it comes to how late they can accept applicants. Hopkins definitely stole this guy from Pitt 2 weeks in, but I don't think that happens often. And there may be some schools that wouldn't do that.

But the point is, it happened. I'd rather not be in that kind of position. Knowing it's a possibility annoys/scares me. Getting settled in somewhere, and BOOM, your dream school offers you a place...ughh

Hehe, once I start classes at Pitt, it WILL be my dream school 🙂 Yeah...I'm one of those people.
In undergrad I got WListed from my top few schools and came to Hopkins, and loved it the second I got here. Turned out for the best 🙂 I'm sure we'll all be happy where ever we end up.

 

[1956Goldtop]

I feel fortunate to be on the waitlist though. I don't think anyone else from my school has ever even gotten an interview at Penn med (not just this year, but ever). I am a little sad from this, but will keep a hopeful eye.

 

[Textuality]

I feel fortunate to be on the waitlist though. I don't think anyone else from my school has ever even gotten an interview at Penn med (not just this year, but ever). I am a little sad from this, but will keep a hopeful eye.

Well, if things don't work out with Penn, you, me, and Karma will rock it at Pitt 🙂

 

[Wombat Jones]

Regular Waitlist Tier 1 ... not suprised though. With no secondary and two so-so interviews, I didn't have much of a chance to present myself. No biggie. I guess I'm most likely not meant to go there. But I would have really liked to meet you all. Text, too bad I can't afford to make it to the Pitt 2nd look.

That's no good-well, it's Penn's loss. With your ridiculous list of acceptances, where are you leaning?

 

[1956Goldtop]

True story

where are you headed, your list of acceptances is the sickest I've ever seen in real life and SDN. I wouldn't even know what to do in your position.

 

[Textuality]

Regular Waitlist Tier 1 ... not suprised though. With no secondary and two so-so interviews, I didn't have much of a chance to present myself. No biggie. I guess I'm most likely not meant to go there. But I would have really liked to meet you all. Text, too bad I can't afford to make it to the Pitt 2nd look.

No biggie, have fun with the second looks you do go to though! Way to rock the med school apps 🙂

 

[AlaskaGrown]

I'm not sure yet. But my scholarship offer from Vanderbilt is very tempting. Plus my sister is soon to be a permanent resident of Tennessee, so I will have family nearby. If I hadn't recieved any merit offers, I would be in a much bigger quandry. Basically, its come down to weighing whether opportunities at schools other than Vandy will be worth the difference in cost. And since I am totally committed to working with the underserved, having a low debt load is pretty important me. Then again, I may get to second look and realize I want to go somewhere completely different. Who knows? I wish I did. 😛

 

[EggPLANTman]

Special tier 1 (considered for admission early)...interesting, though this makes me more confident I'll be at Hopkins, its still a gray area. Oh well, I can't write a LOI proclaiming Penn my top choice, because that wouldn't be entirely true (who's cheaper is my top choice), so I think I'll just stay on the waitlist and do nothing. Does anyone know if they give you financial aid info only after you've been accepted off the waitlist?

** never mind, it says award decisions are only provided to accepted students sometime in June**

 

[Textuality]

Cool beans 🙂

I hope you like Vandy! Personally, I think that place was a little too Southern for me, and I didn't really get the vibe I'd fit in well there, but I am kind of an eccentric oddball. You're more likely to find me in a tattoo parlor than a church, and nashville apparently has a lot of churches...my student hosts had to leave me for the evening in order to go to service, it seems to be kind of a conservative environment, and I don't think they'd take a liking to me and my strange ways, heh.

Philly and Pittsburgh on the other hand...there I fit right in 😉

 

[Textuality]

Special tier 1 (considered for admission early)...interesting, though this makes me more confident I'll be at Hopkins, its still a gray area. Oh well, I can't write a LOI proclaiming Penn my top choice, because that wouldn't be entirely true (who's cheaper is my top choice), so I think I'll just stay on the waitlist and do nothing. Does anyone know if they give you financial aid info only after you've been accepted off the waitlist?

** never mind, it says award decisions are only provided to accepted students sometime in June**

Hopkins is an amazing school 🙂 Let me know if you have any questions about the city of Baltimore 🙂

 

[SilkyDelicious]

If you like tattoo parlors, Pittsburgh is the place to be. Actually, i just realized I read that you're here so I guess you already know that.😛 I live in Southside now so I see a tattoo parlor about every 1/4 of a block, it's pretty ridiculous.

Waitlist tier 1 as well.

Called the office to see how they prefer LOIs and updates and they said email or snail. I try to be as specific as possible, but they're always just like anything is fine...ugh. Personally if I were in the addmissions office I'd like a nice email with an attached pdf that I could easily open and print or email to whoever I needed to. Wouldn't have to scan anything into the computer, wouldn't have to print out a weird format from gmail or whatever.

Oh well, I'll send it both ways.

 

[Textuality]

If you like tattoo parlors, Pittsburgh is the place to be. Actually, i just realized I read that you're here so I guess you already know that.😛 I live in Southside now so I see a tattoo parlor about every 1/4 of a block, it's pretty ridiculous.

Waitlist tier 1 as well.

Called the office to see how they prefer LOIs and updates and they said email or snail. I try to be as specific as possible, but they're always just like anything is fine...ugh. Personally if I were in the addmissions office I'd like a nice email with an attached pdf that I could easily open and print or email to whoever I needed to. Wouldn't have to scan anything into the computer, wouldn't have to print out a weird format from gmail or whatever.

Oh well, I'll send it both ways.

Heh, I'm not in pitt yet, but I'll probably be there next year! And yeah, I'll probably be sending LOI's via email as well as snail mail.

 

[LadyDoc07]

Hey all! I'm a first year at Penn and I can let you know that we had a BUNCH of people in our first year class come in off the waitlist. Last year, Gaye (the adcom director) did invite people to preview, and following a meeting with her, most (if not all) were offered admission on the spot. So, I would definitely recommend writing a LOI if you are interested in the school and be sincere about it. You also might try making a phone call to Gaye to ask if you could meet with her (if you are in the area) because I know that worked for a couple people. And remember that the waitlist moves a fair deal so if you want to be a Quaker next year, hold out hope. Good luck!!!!!

 

[Picklesali]

If you like tattoo parlors, Pittsburgh is the place to be. Actually, i just realized I read that you're here so I guess you already know that.😛 I live in Southside now so I see a tattoo parlor about every 1/4 of a block, it's pretty ridiculous.

I know!! I took my parents to Mt. Washington, and my dad gave me a funny look and was like "there sure are a lot of tattoo places around here..."

 

[Textuality]

Hey all! I'm a first year at Penn and I can let you know that we had a BUNCH of people in our first year class come in off the waitlist. Last year, Gaye (the adcom director) did invite people to preview, and following a meeting with her, most (if not all) were offered admission on the spot. So, I would definitely recommend writing a LOI if you are interested in the school and be sincere about it. You also might try making a phone call to Gaye to ask if you could meet with her (if you are in the area) because I know that worked for a couple people. And remember that the waitlist moves a fair deal so if you want to be a Quaker next year, hold out hope. Good luck!!!!!

Thanks for the uplifting news!! It doesn't seem Gaye invited any Md-only applicants to preview this year 🙁 Correct me if I'm wrong though. I wonder why that is?

 

[SnoPearl]

Apparently they did it and left Pitt high and dry as far as finding a student to fill his place. So I'm guessing Pitt either accepted having 1 less student or snatched someone else from another school. I suppose if the school making the offer is willing to accept someone 2 weeks in, then there's nothing the other school can really do about it. I guess all is fair in love and war...and med admissions.

Seems backhanded though, huh?

I think I know the student you are talking about - he was a Cornell undergrad too right? I remember he got off the Hopkins waitlist in late July or so (definitely before he began classes). He had already gone to Pitt to start on one of the PSTP/CSTP programs doing research that summer, which I'm sure doesn't count as having officially matriculated. That is when the first day of orientation would be.

 

[1956Goldtop]

I don't understand why they don't just call the "you will be considered very early" group tier 1 and everyone else tier 2 or 3. Everyone seems to be on tier 1 and it doesn't really give a realistic view of one's chances of getting in. I really want to just know if I am holding onto false hope. Gah

 

[mjc82]

the words "very strong interest in your application" are so very tantalizing, however I fear it is false hope...so it goes

 

[Textuality]

the words "very strong interest in your application" are so very tantalizing, however I fear it is false hope...so it goes

Yeah...I don't even know if it's significant or not. 🙁

 

[CaliGirl1414]

Well, I've been checking sdn semi-obsessively for the last year but for some reason decided that today was the day I'd register and start posting. The pennmed hopefuls thread has been great over the last few weeks. Definitely helped keep me sane during the long wait for decisions. Anyway, thought I would join you here in the waitlist thread. I got the tier 1 "very interested" message. Oh well, we still have a chance, right?

 

[shantster]

I think I know the student you are talking about - he was a Cornell undergrad too right? I remember he got off the Hopkins waitlist in late July or so (definitely before he began classes). He had already gone to Pitt to start on one of the PSTP/CSTP programs doing research that summer, which I'm sure doesn't count as having officially matriculated. That is when the first day of orientation would be.

CSTP doesn't have any official summer committments before school starts like PSTP and MSTP do so that's not considered matriculation. For those other programs you need to withdraw from everywhere else (acceptances and waitlists) when you start the program since that's matriculation.

And yes, he got off pretty much right before white coat. You can't go elsewhere when you start the orientation.

 

[Textuality]

I don't understand why they don't just call the "you will be considered very early" group tier 1 and everyone else tier 2 or 3. Everyone seems to be on tier 1 and it doesn't really give a realistic view of one's chances of getting in. I really want to just know if I am holding onto false hope. Gah

Same here, even though I have the "considered early" mssg, I don't know if it actually means anything since I looked at least year's waitlist thread, and some people with the regular tier 1 got off WL while those with the "top" of tier one didn't make it. So who knows what means what? 🙁 It's all very confusing.

 

[IHeartNerds]

Hey guys, current MS1 from Penn here. Just a few things:

1) Don't feel bad that you thought you nailed your interview. You probably did. The average interview score is very, very high, so a lot else goes into decisions.

2) A significant # of people do come off the WL, esp from "top of tier 1"

3) Writing GOOD letters to the admissions people may help you. But it had better be passionate and personal without sounding crazy.

4) coming in off the WL won't hurt your financial aid status at all (except that, duh, you won't be getting any full-ride merit scholarships), nor will anyone ever know you were WLed (I have no idea who in my class was, but apparently about 25 people came in off the WL)...

 

[1956Goldtop]

what does your status page say?

 

[Textuality]

For those of you with a Tier 1 + penn preview invite, was that offer emailed to you? Are you all MSTP applicants? Thanks!!

 

[1956Goldtop]

by top of the first tier, do u mean those people who got the "early consideration" message?

 

[1956Goldtop]

textuality which message did u get/

 

[Textuality]

Textuality: Waitlist Tier1

The Committee on Admissions has a very strong interest in your application, and you will be considered for admission very early in the waitlist process. This is an exciting time and you have many decisions to make. We hope you remain interested in Penn.

 

[1956Goldtop]

dah that sounds super nice compared to mine.

 

[Textuality]

dah that sounds super nice compared to mine.

Ehh....no definitive proof that it means anything though.

 

[RocAd]

Ehh....no definitive proof that it means anything though.

I emailed one of my UPenn interviewers to ask them if the difference in wording means anything. I'll let you know what she says....

 

[CornellPreMed]

CSTP doesn't have any official summer committments before school starts like PSTP and MSTP do so that's not considered matriculation. For those other programs you need to withdraw from everywhere else (acceptances and waitlists) when you start the program since that's matriculation.

And yes, he got off pretty much right before white coat. You can't go elsewhere when you start the orientation.

Hmm, I stand corrected then. Maybe it was one of those conversational things where he was like "I got accepted a week (2 weeks? in)," and I assumed classes already started.

If that's the case, sorry for the misinformation.

I'll have to clear that up and ask him directly...

 

[1956Goldtop]

I emailed one of my UPenn interviewers to ask them if the difference in wording means anything. I'll let you know what she says....

Do please let us know.

 

[Textuality]

Do please let us know.

I second that!
False hope is cruel 🙁

Aw, and thanks for signing up and posting that (it's your first post!) 🙂 See? Even the Penn-hopefuls are uber nice!

 

[Textuality]

So I wrote to Penn regarding summer contact info since I'll be in China this summer. And they said that most of the waitlist movement occurs btw may 15- june 15. Anyways, thought I'd share that in case. 🙂

 

[RocAd]

No luck guys. The person I contacted didn't know. Her only advice was to "contact gaye about your continued interest" and "definitely send in the LOI too". Has anyone talked to Gaye? Maybe we should just ask her.

 

[Textuality]

No luck guys. The person I contacted didn't know. Her only advice was to "contact gaye about your continued interest" and "definitely send in the LOI too". Has anyone talked to Gaye? Maybe we should just ask her.

I wrote her an email asking about summer contact info stuff, and she was SUPER nice, just in case you were scared about asking.
I'd ask myself, but I've already sent her two emails full of questions...lol

 

[RocAd]

I second that!
False hope is cruel 🙁

Aw, and thanks for signing up and posting that (it's your first post!) 🙂 See? Even the Penn-hopefuls are uber nice!

yea, i've been stalking several SDN threads (including "UPenn Hopefuls") for the past few days and I decided I should try and contribute something.

btw, i know this question has been asked before, but are any you who voted "waitlist + preview" in the poll going straight MD, or are you all MD/PhD?

 

[RocAd]

I wrote her an email asking about summer contact info stuff, and she was SUPER nice, just in case you were scared about asking.
I'd ask myself, but I've already sent her two emails full of questions...lol

Where did you find her contact info (email)? I'd be happy to email her about the waitlist ranking/confusion.

 

[1956Goldtop]

Yes where did you find her contact? I can' find it anywhere.

 

[Textuality]

Where did you find her contact info (email)? I'd be happy to email her about the waitlist ranking/confusion.

I just googled it , haha. I"ll PM you with it just cause it feels weird to post somebody else's email address on a public forum.

Also, does anyone know how they go about calling people off the waitlist? They claim we're not ranked...so do they just go alphabetically? Do they review all the WL apps to see which one best replaces the person who dropped?

 

[RocAd]

I just googled it , haha. I"ll PM you with it just cause it feels weird to post somebody else's email address on a public forum.

Also, does anyone know how they go about calling people off the waitlist? They claim we're not ranked...so do they just go alphabetically? Do they review all the WL apps to see which one best replaces the person who dropped?

haha, so much for privacy. I guess google really does know all.

 

[Textuality]

haha, so much for privacy. I guess google really does know all.

Haha, well it is her work email so it's all over the net and not meant to be private. I just felt weird posting somebody else's info here so publicly, lol. I know, I'm a little odd.


And yes, google is practically the new Big Brother. They see your emails, your searches, your calendars, where you're driving to (google maps are great), ....yeah. Almost scary.

 

[RocAd]

Okay, so here is what Gaye had to say about the waitlist:

Thanks for your e-mail Let me assure you that there is only tier one
and tier two on the waitlist. I will look into the wording on the
site because there shouldn't be that many variables.
We do invite a very small number of wait list students to attend Penn
Preview.

Our process is to contact wait list students when their applications
are being considered for admission from the wait list to see if you
are still interested in Penn at that time and invite them to revisit
Penn.. Inviting students to Preview helps students to reconnect with
us in anticipation of openings. These candidates are still on the
tier one wait list, like everyone else, but may be the first students
on the wait list to hear from us, if they remain interested. If
financial aid is important in making the decision, I also recommend
that students file the Need Access application sso that we can
discuss financial planning at the time an offer is being considered.

Waitlist activity largely is between May 15-June
15. Applicant's who are accepted from the waitlist will need to
make decisions quickly and hopefully we will have had a chance to
talk with you, respond to your questions, and check in with you to
see what you thinking is and level of interest in Penn at that time.

Thanks for writing and hang in there!
............................................................

still, it's hard to believe that they would have two ways of saying "your waitlisted", especially when one sounds so much more promising than the other. I'm guessing they still do some sort of ranking. How else would they decide who to invite to preview weekend?

 

[Textuality]

So far, no one has come out saying that they are MD -only , and was waitlisted and also invited to Penn preview. Seraph and his friends are MSTP

 

[1956Goldtop]

Has anyone mentioned being placed on the tier 2 waitlist? Also, I'm very confused on the wording issue now.

oh and thanks for posting that rocad.

 

[Textuality]

What I'm wondering is that if the wording is random, then shouldn't it be half and half distribution? And if it's a mistake, then it's exactly the same one as last year? Seems unlikely....so yeah, I'm officially befuddled, and will just not read anything into the mysterious differences in wording.