Perfect for the waitlist?

[BaronVonZ]

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So today I received my 5th and 6th waitlists, and the last school I'm waiting to hear from is virtually guaranteed to be the same. I'm completely crushed and confused - how does one applicant get on the waitlist at every school? Is there a particular category I fit in to? I'm beginning to feel as through schools are using hopelessly large waitlists in place of rejections to soften the blow.

Have any current students been in this situation?

 

[Monocles]

Hmm, I'm guessing you might have applied fairly late into the cycle. Getting into 6 waitlists means that you're probably a decent enough candidate, but so many other qualified people applied early and got in. Don't be discouraged though, waitlist still means that you weren't rejected altogether. There's not much you can do at this point so don't be too hard on yourself. If everything fails you can always improve your application, send them early next cycle.

 

[NickNaylor]

Hmm, I'm guessing you might have applied fairly late into the cycle. Getting into 6 waitlists means that you're probably a decent enough candidate, but so many other qualified people applied early and got in. Don't be discouraged though, waitlist still means that you weren't rejected altogether. There's not much you can do at this point so don't be too hard on yourself. If everything fails you can always improve your application, send them early next cycle.

Theory fails if these schools are non-rolling schools.

 

[TOcho118]

1st of all, sorry to hear about your situation!

2nd, I would like to think that you can chalk this scenario up to an unfortunate coincidence. From my understanding, med schools will not even interview you if they do not believe that you adequate for their school. Post interview, they will also not waitlist you unless they can realistically see you attending their school, just do not have the capacity to accept all qualified individuals. I don't believe that there is any specific bill that you fit that would make you "perfect for the waitlist" as every school looks for slightly different criteria when making selections. Perhaps you are not the best interviewer...not bad, but also not great? That being said I'm sure you're probably pretty decent with the interview thing or more of those waitlists would be rejections.

Just my thoughts...feel free to weigh in people.

Also, good luck with all those waitlists! I hope that you can maintain a positive attitude and be vigilant enough to pry an acceptance out of one of those adcom's bony grips. From what I've read, you should definitely consider writing a letter of intent.

 

[BaronVonZ]

Unfortunately the late application theory doesn't hold in my case - I applied quite early in the cycle.

Some of my waitlists are lost causes (ie. BU), others are just unlikely. I don't see how I managed to hit that "sweet spot" at schools ranked in the top 15 and schools outside of the top 50.

Sorry, I'm ranting at this point. Just confused and bummed :/

 

[bobsmith]

This happened to a friend of mine last application cycle. I think for him (and possibly for you) it was a combination of having pretty good stats (but not really good stats) and no real wow factor or anything.

Anyway, he did end up getting off a few waitlists so hopefully you will too.

Have you considered letters of intent or updating schools?

 

[wanderer]

This happened to a friend of mine last application cycle. I think for him (and possibly for you) it was a combination of having pretty good stats (but not really good stats) and no real wow factor or anything.

Anyway, he did end up getting off a few waitlists so hopefully you will too.

Yea I kind of have the feeling that that is one of the main reasons for getting onto a lot of waitlists.

 

[Syqers]

Don't lose heart! In years past, some of the schools have pulled as many as 50 people off the wait-list. You probably have a real shot at getting off at least one of those wait-lists.

 

[rHinO1]

I am writing to inform you that rHinO1 is unable to respond to your thread at this time. rHinO1 has placed you on his waitlist for a response. He anticipates some movement of this waitlist after May 15th, 2011. This is not a reflection of your quality as a poster, but instead an indication of the strength of the other threads currently on this forum.

Best wishes,
rHinO1

 

[Musclemass]

Consistent waitlist outcomes often means softness in some portion of your app (a lackluster LOL?) or poor interview performance. The latter, in particular, can occur repeatedly and consistently in all interviews, with the same result. What are your thoughts?

There's still a lot of waitlist movement ahead, maybe one of those opening slots will be yours.

 

[rhesuspieces]

I am writing to inform you that rHinO1 is unable to respond to your thread at this time. rHinO1 has placed you on his waitlist for a response. He anticipates some movement of this waitlist after May 15th, 2011. This is not a reflection of your quality as a poster, but instead an indication of the strength of the other threads currently on this forum.

Best wishes,
rHinO1

I see what you did there. 👍

OP, good luck on the waitlists.

 

[MCAT guy]

I know a lot of people with acceptances. Hang in there, lots of us will be turning people down soon.

Good luck to you bro!

 

[anfleisch]

Most school have 100 something spots to give out. The majority of people who get a spot early on don't give it up until sometime later in the cycle. Sot hey really can't give out too many more spots than they have seats. It can be as low as 30 or so more early on. But in the end, they give out upwards of 300-400 acceptances at many schools and even more at others. This is just how the process is designed, it should be called the waiting list process. So many people at a lot of schools end up coming from the waiting list. Really, they should change the process a little so the majority of people at many schools do not finalize their plans in may and june.

 

[LizzyM]

Consistent waitlist outcomes often means softness in some portion of your app (a lackluster LOL?) or poor interview performance. The latter, in particular, can occur repeatedly and consistently in all interviews, with the same result. What are your thoughts?

There's still a lot of waitlist movement ahead, maybe one of those opening slots will be yours.

I disagree. Those folks don't get interviewed (lackluster LOR) or denied (poor interview).

Waitlisters are usually adequate but not exceptional. After all the superstars holding 5+ offers make their selection, many schools will have empty seats and the waitlists will start to come into play. Relax but also prepare to reapply if nothing comes through by the end of August. Also, stay in touch with schools where you are waitlisted, OP, to let them know that you are still interested.