Sending emails to interviewers after being placed on wait list.

[utah34]

I was recently placed on the wait list at a school I would love to attend. After my interview, I sent in thank-you notes to both interviewers and one of them replied and told me to follow-up with him if I had any questions. Now that I'm on the wait list I'd love to ask for his advice and maybe even see where I stand on the wait list, as the medical school did not release the wait list rankings. I would also like to know what about my application got me placed on the wait list, but I'm not exactly sure how to ask that question. What do y'all think about following up with the interviewer after getting on the wait list?

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[HomeSkool]

Now that I'm on the wait list I'd love to ask for his advice and maybe even see where I stand on the wait list, as the medical school did not release the wait list rankings.

You can do that, but keep in mind that your interviewer may not sit on the admissions committee. If that's the case, they may not have any insight into your application status after submitting the interview report. Also, some schools rank their waitlists and others don't.

I would also like to know what about my application got me placed on the wait list, but I'm not exactly sure how to ask that question.

I don't recommend asking that question. As I said, the interviewer may not have been present for any of the discussion and decision-making process. Even if s/he was, that question could come off as exceedingly needy. Your application may not have had any red flags; applications present a comprehensive picture, so it may just be that it was overall very good but not enough to get you over the hump. In that case, asking what hurt your application would be difficult for the interviewer and unsatisfying for you.

Also, that question could come off as entitled. That's not a good look for a waitlisted applicant.

Instead of asking that question, I advise you to wait and see how things shake out. If you don't get accepted, reach out to the admissions office and see if they can give you any specific feedback about your application and interview. That'll tell you what you need to know without coming off as needy or entitled.

 

[utah34]

You can do that, but keep in mind that your interviewer may not sit on the admissions committee. If that's the case, they may not have any insight into your application status after submitting the interview report. Also, some schools rank their waitlists and others don't.


I don't recommend asking that question. As I said, the interviewer may not have been present for any of the discussion and decision-making process. Even if s/he was, that question could come off as exceedingly needy. Your application may not have had any red flags; applications present an overall picture, so it may just be that it was overall very good but not enough to get you over the hump. In that case, asking what hurt your application would be difficult for the interviewer and unsatisfying for you.

Instead of asking that question, I advise you to wait and see how things shake out. If you don't get accepted, reach out to the admissions office and see if they can give you any specific feedback about your application and interview. That'll tell you what you need to know without coming off as needy.

Thank you for the response. I completely understand about coming off as needy, and that's the main reason why I was unsure on how or even if I should ask that question. I appreciate the honest feedback!

 

[Goro]

I was recently placed on the wait list at a school I would love to attend. After my interview, I sent in thank-you notes to both interviewers and one of them replied and told me to follow-up with him if I had any questions. Now that I'm on the wait list I'd love to ask for his advice and maybe even see where I stand on the wait list, as the medical school did not release the wait list rankings. I would also like to know what about my application got me placed on the wait list, but I'm not exactly sure how to ask that question. What do y'all think about following up with the interviewer after getting on the wait list?

At my school, we interviewers have no way of knowing where a candidate stands on the wait list. Telling you that you" high rank" means nothing. Even if you're #16 on the wait list, the needs of building a balanced class outweigh your rank spot.

Your interviewer will not share what got you onto the wait list. Do you think that they really going to say something like "you were a "meh" interviewee"? They're certainly NOT going to tell you if you had weak LORs.

You need to wait until the cycle is over, and then ask the Admission dean if s/he can give feedback on your rejection.

EDIT: you should consider yourself rejected until you get that accept email in your Inbox, and plan on how you'll improve your app over the next cycle.

 

[utah34]

At my school, we interviewers have no way of knowing where a candidate stands on the wait list. Telling you that you" high rank" means nothing. Even if you're #16 on the wait list, the needs of building a balanced class outweigh your rank spot.

Your interviewer will not share what got you onto the wait list. Do you think that they really going to say something like "you were a "meh" interviewee"? They're certainly NOT going to tell you if you had weak LORs.

You need to wait until the cycle is over, and then ask the Admission dean if s/he can give feedback on your rejection.

EDIT: you should consider yourself rejected until you get that accept email in your Inbox, and plan on how you'll improve your app over the next cycle.

Thanks, that certainly makes sense. I appreciate it!

 

[Med Ed]

I was recently placed on the wait list at a school I would love to attend. After my interview, I sent in thank-you notes to both interviewers and one of them replied and told me to follow-up with him if I had any questions. Now that I'm on the wait list I'd love to ask for his advice and maybe even see where I stand on the wait list, as the medical school did not release the wait list rankings. I would also like to know what about my application got me placed on the wait list, but I'm not exactly sure how to ask that question. What do y'all think about following up with the interviewer after getting on the wait list?

Step 1: wait.
Step 2: if you get rejected, contact the admissions office to see if they will give you feedback.