"Pre-interview waitlist=rejection"

[JamesLMT]

Pre-Interview "waitlist" is bascially a rejection, no? I mean unless you can send in major updates. I have been through this cycle once before and basically that is what they have meant in the past. Thoughts?

 

[blinkboy1156]

Negative. You're in a better position than a straight-up rejection letter. I'm a reapplicant too and wait lists stink (8 rejections, 3 wait lists last year). It's a long application year so try to stay positive. If you really want to go to medical school, you'll get there.

 

[cabinbuilder]

Pre-Interview "waitlist" is bascially a rejection, no? I mean unless you can send in major updates. I have been through this cycle once before and basically that is what they have meant in the past. Thoughts?

Remember that every medical student applies for multiple slots at multiple schools. A waitlist is not an automatic rejection. The school probably sees you as a borderline applicant and is holding on to see how many actual acceptances they get throughout the year. They like to have the best applicants possible in theory since those are most likely to pass the boards on the first turn. The hypothetical doesn't always pan out in reality. So you are on the list when the end of the application cycle comes up and the school needs to fill those spots after the "best applicants" have made their choice. Don't despair, you will get there eventually.

 

[Helen Wheels]

Well, take comfort in that fact that something about your app caught their eye that they wanted to keep your file open and not straight out reject you. It seems that chances to get an invite after a pre-interview hold exist but are very slim. Sorry to say, but don't hold your breath on these. In my own experience last year all four of my pre-interview holds ended up as "no interview rejections."

 

[JamesLMT]

I thought as much. I have heard stories about people getting interviews with this status. Things they did:

*Sent in a letter of interest
*Updated scores or experiences
*Saved the deans life (j/k)
*Had a significant other get accepted
*Close proximity when others have canceled interviews.
*Did nothing and a miracle came in the form of an interview

I live close to the only schools that have put my app on waitlist, i wonder if the letter of interest/close proximity/miracle combo would work. lol

 

[avion321]

Over the past couple years I have received a few pre-interview waitlists. One of them did turn into an interview, so it is not an automatic rejection. If the school wanted to reject someone they would just do that.