Previously Waitlisted

[da2025]

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Hi there everyone! Does anyone know if being on the waitlist positively impacts the subsequent app? Do admissions committees see that as a good thing... or does it not really matter?

 

[gyngyn]

This is school-specific and varies a lot. Public schools in smaller states seem to be more open to waitlisted re-applicants.

 

[deleted1064759]

I would mention it since you were at least qualified for an II and your interview probably went fine but you may have had a deficiency which held you back from the A

 

[GreenDuck12]

Did you ever get feedback from the program(s) that waitlisted you?

 

[gyngyn]

I would mention it since you were at least qualified for an II and your interview probably went fine but you may have had a deficiency which held you back from the A

Many places won't tell an applicant that their interview went poorly, though.

 

[deleted1064759]

Many places won't tell an applicant that their interview went poorly, though.

I just assumed that a WL after an attended interview mean't that the interview was okay (nothing bad enough to reject) but they didn't quite have the stats/ECs. I guess a poor interview could still lead to a WL even if the rest of the app is fine

 

[gyngyn]

I just assumed that a WL after an attended interview mean't that the interview was okay (nothing bad enough to reject) but they didn't quite have the stats/ECs. I guess a poor interview could still lead to a WL even if the rest of the app is fine

Many weak interviews end in a WL.
Rejections are often reserved until the end of the cycle.

 

[GreenDuck12]

As Gyngyn said, weak interviews can lead to waitlists or rejections. Many committees have an algorithm that kicks out an overall score for an applicant that factors in things they select for (gpa, mcat, ECs, essays, interviews, etc). It is entirely plausible for interviews to not go well enough to kick someone’s overall score down. An interview invite means someone could be admitted if they have an excellent interview, if on the cusp with other parts of their app, or merely a strong interview, if other factors of their app are stronger. Keeping in mind that schools may admit between 30-40% of their interviewees, a strong interview performance is helpful.

 

[Damson]

@CommyØ lol mucho

 

[Goro]

Many weak interviews end in a WL.
Rejections are often reserved until the end of the cycle.

At my school, one has to actually work at getting rejected.

 

[da2025]

Did you ever get feedback from the program(s) that waitlisted you?

I didn't get feedback unfortunately! I felt like my interviews went really well but I did apply pretty late in the game... (Early October). I'm guessing that may have played a role.

 

[Rachapkis]

I would suspect that schools would evaluate you against the talent they have in the current applicant pool, which would mean that previously being on the waitlist would not help or hurt you. It would, however, let you know that you are likely on the cusp of having the stats necessary to get in.

 

[carrots28]

I got re-invited to schools I was waitlisted on previously and accepted on my second application round. I took two years in between to improve my application.