Should I be worried?

[TakeMe]

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I have had 4 interviews and I am on 3 wait-lists/alternate lists. I haven't heard from the fourth school yet. Should I be worried about getting into an MD program. I am so stressed and I don't know how to relax, I just think about how I don't have an acceptance and I feel like I am not going to get into med school.

Maybe I am a bad interviewer? Thoughts are appreciated.

 

[flip26]

I have had 4 interviews and I am on 3 wait-lists/alternate lists. I haven't heard from the fourth school yet. Should I be worried about getting into an MD program. I am so stressed and I don't know how to relax, I just think about how I don't have an acceptance and I feel like I am not going to get into med school.

Maybe I am a bad interviewer? Thoughts are appreciated.

It seems like lots of med schools are doing the "wait list" thing these days. At some of these schools, they expect you to shower them with updates and love letters...but for the most part, they are simply trying to manage their yield.

Your worries should be if you were getting flat out rejected...waitlists suck, but you are still in the game. Hopefully you applied to more than 4 schools?

 

[TakeMe]

I applied to 17 schools. I haven't gotten any love from three of my state schools. I just feel like the waitlist is the "wait to reject" pile. Also, I am currently a teacher (I was a post-bacc student), so I don't really have any updates to send. I thought about volunteering somewhere new, just so I could send an update... I don't know if its worthless.

And what should I put in these love letters?

 

[tennisball80]

TakeMe.. lol.. Nice username.

 

[flip26]

I applied to 17 schools. I haven't gotten any love from three of my state schools. I just feel like the waitlist is the "wait to reject" pile. Also, I am currently a teacher (I was a post-bacc student), so I don't really have any updates to send. I thought about volunteering somewhere new, just so I could send an update... I don't know if its worthless.

And what should I put in these love letters?

Something along the lines of "if accepted, I will attend" or maybe something more well thought out of why you are the ideal candidate for the school...get familiar with the concept of letters of intent and letters of interest...

I wouldn't do additional volunteering just to have something to update...

 

[TakeMe]

Any sources you think are good for finding out information on letters of intent.

 

[flip26]

Any sources you think are good for finding out information on letters of intent.

It is discussed ad nauseum on SDN.

Some people think a letter of "intent" can/should only be sent to one school, whereas a letter of "interest" can be sent to multiple schools. They view it as a contract.

I don't. I would word any letter(s) you send as strongly as you wish. Let your conscience be your guide.

The real question is timing. I think it may have more impact in late winter, or early spring, closer to the time they start pulling people off the waitlists. Seems a little premature to send a strongly worded letter of intent in Oct/Nov, prior to hearing from all your schools, etc. Comes off as desperate, maybe?

 

[TakeMe]

Interesting. I think the later it is sent, the more desperate it would seem because you are grasping for acceptance, whereas early on there is more hope.

I will probably send a letter of interest now and then a letter of intent in December.

Thanks for the help! I am really sick over this. I hate being on waitlists- and the worst part is, they don't even let you know where you are!

 

[brooklynblunder]

how many more interviews do you have?

 

[TakeMe]

I've had 4. I have no more lined up. I thought I would have no problem getting the 3 at my other state schools (my stats are above their average, and I have really good extracurriculurs), but no offers from them yet.

This is also strange because I got interviews from the two best schools in my state. The 2/3 of the other schools aren't ranked, so I just assumed I would get an interview invite.
(not to mention both of my parents and my sister are alumni from one of them- not the medical school, but the university).

I guess I assumed wrong. But there's still time!

 

[TakeMe]

Wow!!!! As I wrote that last post I got an interview invite!!! Maybe it's good luck. The Lord knows I can't take anymore bad news!

 

[Brando989]

Good luck, let's us know how it goes.

 

[futureNCmed]

Keep your hopes up... at least you've had 4 interviews so far... you could be in my boat - only 2 interviews (1 already and 1 scheduled) and deafening silence from the other 20 shcools you applied to! There's still time and waitlist is better then rejection! Hell, I would settled for a few more interviews at this point! I mean come one! At least talk to me and get to know me before you shatter my dreams!

Good luck and don't lose hope!

 

[flip26]

Wow!!!! As I wrote that last post I got an interview invite!!! Maybe it's good luck. The Lord knows I can't take anymore bad news!

And this is exactly why I think it is way too early to be writing intense letters of intent, swearing your undying love to one school before the process has played out a bit more.

However, I think it is probably smart to drop a quick note to waitlist schools indicating your ongoing interest...email is probably fine - they print these off and stick them in the file, just like a letter.

 

[TakeMe]

Thanks man! It does suck because I am waitlisted at my top two schools!