Pre Interview Holds: what's the point??

[harkas]

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So I've been put on 3 pre-interview holds already and I'm pretty confused on what the point of this is.

On one hand, if adcoms are actually putting my application on hold to take a good, hard look at it at a later time because they like me but would prefer to interview 4.0ers first, then I get it. By all means, knock yourself out.

But I'm also being told (by advisors) that it's essentially a rejection and I should just assume they're done with me. So then the question is: why not just reject me? I'm getting these letters at the exact same time as others are getting rejection letters from the same schools (based on SDN). Why split up these applicants into the 'no' and 'probably no' pile?

 

[Doc_Ock]

So they can have a plan D.


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[harkas]

So hey can have a plan D.


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Thanks! That hadn't occurred to me.

 

[ortnakas]

Or because they'd reconsider if you provided a (relatively major) update. It's been a few years now, but I got off the pre-interview hold list at the two schools who had had me on it when I gave them my improved MCAT score.

 

[harkas]

Or because they'd reconsider if you provided a (relatively major) update. It's been a few years now, but I got off the pre-interview hold list at the two schools who had had me on it when I gave them my improved MCAT score.

Nice. That's pretty cool.

Yeah I could see that. I wish I had updates to give. My MCAT score is higher than their averages, but my gpa is about .1-.2 below their average so that is likely it. I've already graduated so raising it isn't an option. I would just prefer a rejection because it sounds like they've made up their mind already.

 

[fourandtwo]

Nice. That's pretty cool.

Yeah I could see that. I wish I had updates to give. My MCAT score is higher than their averages, but my gpa is about .1-.2 below their average so that is likely it. I've already graduated so raising it isn't an option. I would just prefer a rejection because it sounds like they've made up their mind already.

I would say .1-.2 points below average is okay. I would look beyond the stats and try updating them on your ECs. What do your ECs look like?


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[Soccer171983]

I can see why you would prefer an auto reject but keep in mind that they have a lot of applicants and often these meetings have multiple people who are all looking at the same application. They may be waiting on something specific (I.E. improved test score on its way out, some paper work issue etc) or you could be liked by some and not as much as by others and they are looking through more applicants to see if they like others more (stratification process). This is a better situation than automatically rejected.

 

[harkas]

I would say .1-.2 points below average is okay. I would look beyond the stats and try updating them on your ECs. What do your ECs look like?


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That's normally where I would go too but I have over 5,000 with about half being with the underserved. I've done a lot of clinical and public health work. Most of my LORs are from people I've known for years and I can guarantee that 4/6 letters are very strong because they sent them to me. Its always possible one of those two letters were horrendous but I know the writers and I don't think so.

 

[Goro]

So I've been put on 3 pre-interview holds already and I'm pretty confused on what the point of this is.

On one hand, if adcoms are actually putting my application on hold to take a good, hard look at it at a later time because they like me but would prefer to interview 4.0ers first, then I get it. By all means, knock yourself out.

But I'm also being told (by advisors) that it's essentially a rejection and I should just assume they're done with me. So then the question is: why not just reject me? I'm getting these letters at the exact same time as others are getting rejection letters from the same schools (based on SDN). Why split up these applicants into the 'no' and 'probably no' pile?

Schools stratify the apps as they come in and don't send out IIs merely in chronological order. You're lower in the pile. Give them time to work their way down to you. Keep in mind that schools get > 5000 app/cycle. Drexel and Gtown get close to 15000!

Or would you rather be rejected?

Patience is a virtue, the need for instant gratification is not.

 

[harkas]

Schools stratify the apps as they come in and don't send out IIs merely in chronological order. You're lower in the pile. Give them time to work their way down to you. Keep in mind that schools get > 5000 app/cycle. Drexel and Gtown get close to 15000!

Or would you rather be rejected?

Patience is a virtue, the need for instant gratification is not.

Its not the instant gratification I'm looking for, but rather that I have three holds. Is that a lot? Is there something in my application that is putting me in that position? I always thought no news is good news so getting contacted about the holds makes me wonder if something is wrong.

But you're right, there is a lot of apps and I am by no means at or near the top.

 

[Goro]

Its not the instant gratification I'm looking for, but rather that I have three holds. Is that a lot? Is there something in my application that is putting me in that position? I always thought no news is good news so getting contacted about the holds makes me wonder if something is wrong.

But you're right, there is a lot of apps and I am by no means at or near the top.

Most applicants are rejected. You're still in the game!