School choice and waitlist question !

[GVL3020]

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So far I have been accepted to two DO schools and I am on the waitlist for two MD programs. I am still waiting to hear back from two more MD programs. One of the DO schools is a top tier program, while the other is a mid-tier program. The top tier DO school starts in the middle of June while the mid-tier one starts at the end of July. Lets say I end up on four MD program waitlists. Should I take the better DO program even though it gives me less of a chance to get in off a waitlist ? Or should I go to the worse DO school because it will give an extra month to possibly get in off the waitlist. When does most of the waitlist movement occur ?

Any help or advice would be appreciated

 

[NickNaylor]

I wouldn't have much hope that you're getting off of a waitlist into June. Sure, it's possible, but after May 15th or so I would consider everything "settled," i.e., you should go to the best school possible. If you get off of a waitlist, great, but shooting yourself in the foot in the hopes that you're one of the small number of people that gets off of the waitlist seems like a terrible idea.

 

[mishaS]

+1 to the above. I think first and foremost, should you not get accepted into any MD program, pick the DO school that fits you best, and if one is significantly cheaper than the other seriously consider how much less debt you'll go into. Those things are way more important than a month and a half of time where you're very unlikely to get an acceptance.

 

[Dr. Ducky]

i wouldn't have much hope that you're getting off of a waitlist into june. Sure, it's possible, but after may 15th or so i would consider everything "settled," i.e., you should go to the best school possible. If you get off of a waitlist, great, but shooting yourself in the foot in the hopes that you're one of the small number of people that gets off of the waitlist seems like a terrible idea.

+1

 

[LizzyM]

I could be wrong but I think that the most waitlist activity happens between May 15 and June 15.

 

[phnerd1105]

Have you written any letters of interest/intent to the MD schools? That MAY help increase your chances of getting off the waitlist earlier, especially if you voice your sentiments and desire to attend correctly.

 

[Sephiroth]

I could be wrong but I think that the most waitlist activity happens between May 15 and June 15.

That's what I would have figured. I'd think there would be a lot of movement for the first couple weeks after the magic day (is it May 15th again?).

After the second week of June though, there likely won't be too much movement (though it's always possible, I know a couple ppl who got in about 2 weeks before classes started).

 

[ppappui]

Hey OP, I'm in a similar position too, but with less acceptances than you (or waitlist) 🙂
I also prefer the MD school I'm waitlisted because it is an established school, has more research funding, less stressful curriculum, etc.
I have already committed to the DO school because there's no guarantee that I'll be in the MD school and paid the deposit and will be completing other forms such as financial aid, housing, etc soon. I think that'd be the safe bet for you too; just choose the DO school that you want to go more and be ready to be committed. If you do get off the waitlist several weeks before the DO school starts, you can always take that offer. My DO school starts in late July/early August, so I guess I'll wait until end of June before I make a final decision.
Good luck to you 👍