SIU - Alternate List

[ScottW3]

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Hey there everyone. I just found out that I was placed on the alternate list (a.k.a waitlist) for SIU. Anyone else out there in a similar situation? Any current SIU students care to share their experiences? Anyone have an idea of how many are put on the list? How many people get off of the list? I really wasn't expecting this when I spoke with them so I wasn't really prepared with what questions to ask them. I think I'm going to call on Monday to get more info. I really was surprised. I have a 3.37 GPA from WashU, a 22/22 DAT. I applied in September and was classified as an IL resident. Any info you could give me would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[Dr2BSoon]

How did you find out you were waitlisted? Did they send you a letter, or did you call and ask? I am from IL, and applied in June. I visited in January and met with Dr. Thomas, who said he would give me the highest recommendation to the ad com, yet still nothing. Everytime I call they tell me that I am still under review. I figured getting my state school would be a snap, but looks like I was wrong. It is in the top of my choices. Your stats are good, so what is the problem? With those stats you should be fine for an acceptance there. Did you visit since they don't really have a formal interview? SIU seems to be taking forever too.

 

[grinningrice]

Hey there everyone. I just found out that I was placed on the alternate list (a.k.a waitlist) for SIU. Anyone else out there in a similar situation? Any current SIU students care to share their experiences? Anyone have an idea of how many are put on the list? How many people get off of the list? I really wasn't expecting this when I spoke with them so I wasn't really prepared with what questions to ask them. I think I'm going to call on Monday to get more info. I really was surprised. I have a 3.37 GPA from WashU, a 22/22 DAT. I applied in September and was classified as an IL resident. Any info you could give me would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

I think it is extremely strange that you did not get in yet. YOur stats rock. How did your interview go with them?

 

[ScottW3]

How did you find out you were waitlisted? Did they send you a letter, or did you call and ask? I am from IL, and applied in June. I visited in January and met with Dr. Thomas, who said he would give me the highest recommendation to the ad com, yet still nothing. Everytime I call they tell me that I am still under review. I figured getting my state school would be a snap, but looks like I was wrong. It is in the top of my choices. Your stats are good, so what is the problem? With those stats you should be fine for an acceptance there. Did you visit since they don't really have a formal interview? SIU seems to be taking forever too.

I too have been patiently waiting and calling the admissions office about once a month. I called Friday afternoon and was told the committee met and I am on the waitlist. Infosource has not been updated yet. I don't know what the problem was. The only thing I can think of was that I submitted a reclassification of residency in November, which was not processed until Feb. I did visit the school in October and met with an adcom member. He said my stats were great and that if I could get an address in IL, there shouldn't be any problem. You can imagine my surprise yesterday. Anyway, it looks like the committee just met, so I would call. Good luck. I hope yours is better than mine was.

 

[ScottW3]

I think it is extremely strange that you did not get in yet. YOur stats rock. How did your interview go with them?

Interview went pretty good in my opinion. I know you told me you were accepted and were planning on going elsewhere.... any chance you sent in a deposit and have yet to let the school know? Wishfull thinking on my part. Thanks though for the boost of confidence. I too thought my stats were pretty good. I guess I just have to wait now.... 😕

 

[grinningrice]

Interview went pretty good in my opinion. I know you told me you were accepted and were planning on going elsewhere.... any chance you sent in a deposit and have yet to let the school know? Wishfull thinking on my part. Thanks though for the boost of confidence. I too thought my stats were pretty good. I guess I just have to wait now.... 😕

Yea, I never sent in the deposit. I told them that I was not attending awhile ago. Dental schools are wierd, I got into a school that I didnt think I would get into and I didnt get into 3 schools that I was sure I was going to get into. Have you been accepted elsewhere? WHere did you do your undergrad at?

 

[Bullfan16]

Scott and Dr2Bsoon...did you guys apply to UIC and if you did have you heard from them???

I went down to SIU in December and have yet to hear from them...I am hoping that SIU fills their class soon so there is some movement on the UIC waitlist. No word from SIU...Angela is a nice person but I have to say that their admissions process is MESSED UP! I mean what schools class (not including those people that are waitlisted and get in at the last minute) is not set at this point? I was surprised when I went down there....it was a lot different than what I had imagined. I went to undergrad in a small town, but I was thinking the main administration building (where Dr. Thomas' office and admissions are located) was going to be more imposing than one large office where the financial aid officer's and admissions director's desks are 5 steps apart from each other. I also thought the way the school was setup was interesting to say the least. They are so much different about admissions than nearly all of the rest of the schools you can apply to....In any case, I wasnt impressed with Dr. Thomas...he seemed disinterested that I was there....it seemed like I didnt even need to travel...they could have made the decision without the interview (not that far...coming from Chicago suburbs...but it could have saved a trip).

In any case, Scott I cant believe you arent in...those numbers are crazy good! Knowing what I know from last year...if you are waitlisted the list is very long...I dont think they deny applicants who dont get accepted into the initial class of 50-55...they waitlist them. I was told last year there was about 100+ on the list. I got denied about 3-4 weeks after being waitlisted. One thing to keep in mind, unless Angela directly told you that "you have been placed on the waitlist" and the other lady in admissions told you this...ignore it. Until you hear it from Angela, it isnt true. Also, sometimes Angela says you are still under review (and sometimes slips and says "waitlisted") and that is similar to the way they judge their waitlist...until they rule you out it isnt over (that and somebody has to decide to turn down their acceptance). I would assume if you are waitlisted you are probably really high up there...so good luck and dont give up....however...if you arent a legit IL resident your chances go down dramatically...I hear only 4-5 are out of staters. I would assume the adcom is judging your residency based on the latest information.

 

[ScottW3]

Scott and Dr2Bsoon...did you guys apply to UIC and if you did have you heard from them???

I went down to SIU in December and have yet to hear from them...I am hoping that SIU fills their class soon so there is some movement on the UIC waitlist. No word from SIU...Angela is a nice person but I have to say that their admissions process is MESSED UP! I mean what schools class (not including those people that are waitlisted and get in at the last minute) is not set at this point? I was surprised when I went down there....it was a lot different than what I had imagined. I went to undergrad in a small town, but I was thinking the main administration building (where Dr. Thomas' office and admissions are located) was going to be more imposing than one large office where the financial aid officer's and admissions director's desks are 5 steps apart from each other. I also thought the way the school was setup was interesting to say the least. They are so much different about admissions than nearly all of the rest of the schools you can apply to....In any case, I wasnt impressed with Dr. Thomas...he seemed disinterested that I was there....it seemed like I didnt even need to travel...they could have made the decision without the interview (not that far...coming from Chicago suburbs...but it could have saved a trip).

In any case, Scott I cant believe you arent in...those numbers are crazy good! Knowing what I know from last year...if you are waitlisted the list is very long...I dont think they deny applicants who dont get accepted into the initial class of 50-55...they waitlist them. I was told last year there was about 100+ on the list. I got denied about 3-4 weeks after being waitlisted. One thing to keep in mind, unless Angela directly told you that "you have been placed on the waitlist" and the other lady in admissions told you this...ignore it. Until you hear it from Angela, it isnt true. Also, sometimes Angela says you are still under review (and sometimes slips and says "waitlisted") and that is similar to the way they judge their waitlist...until they rule you out it isnt over (that and somebody has to decide to turn down their acceptance). I would assume if you are waitlisted you are probably really high up there...so good luck and dont give up....however...if you arent a legit IL resident your chances go down dramatically...I hear only 4-5 are out of staters. I would assume the adcom is judging your residency based on the latest information.

Hey Bullfan, no I didn't apply to UIC. I did hear the news from Angela, so it looks like it is true. I also verified with Angela that I was considered an IL resident for admissions purposes. It was a formal process of reclassifying my residency. I had to submit a copy of an IL drivers license and a lease. Then the comitee had to meet to approve it. I suppose they could have been thinking... "Yeah, this guy is technically a resident, but not really, so lets let him keep paying rent in IL and then screw him over at the last minute." 😀 Anyway, I'm going to call today to get more info about the waitlist.

 

[Bullfan16]

I called today and I too am waitlisted...I guess there's a difference between being placed on the alternate list (top 10-20) and waitlisted (20+). I have never heard of this scenario...most schools use the terms waitlist and alternate list interchangeably. In any case, I tried to find out when the class had been filled and Angela said "within the last few weeks"...when I told her why I wanted to know (hoping people will come off UIC waitlist after receiving SIU acceptance) she got very upset with me and said she was "uncomfortable answering the questions I was asking her". I went on to tell her she claimed at an earlier date (Feb/March) that they probably wont fill the class until May and so I was just curious when they filled the last spot to see if/when someone might come off the list at UIC to go to SIU. She was hemming and hawing until I told her I was #3 at which point she said I will probably get in and should talk to Ann at UIC and not her about this...

I dont get admission directors they get so defensive about some things. I realize I am telling her straight to her face that I dont want to go to SIU, but shouldnt that be obvious seeing that I am closer to UIC (something she probably knows seeing that I went down for an interview) and also that because I am waitlisted and dont really have a chance at SIU that I obviously would care more about a school where I have a decent chance to get in??? I dont get it, for 9 months you sit in limbo wondering if you will get in then you ask a few questions on the phone and some adcoms get upset with you....isnt it better that an applicant be inquisitive to find out what they can do better for the next round (although I did get into 2 schools) rather than complacent? In any case, gotta keep waiting...ask Angela if you are an alternate or waitlisted...she said 7 or so usually come off the list each year. Good luck

 

[drkt]

when i called today, she said i was an alternate and that the list was unranked. is there a difference between being waitlisted and being an alternate? SIUE's process is so confusing to me. i would prefer to go there because it is so close to where i live and a state school, and i would consider holding out for a while, but not if i am one of over a hundred. She didn't really seem like she wanted to answer a lot of questions when i was on the phone with her. So i didn't get much more than "you are an alternate, and it is pretty much a waiting game until august."

 

[ScottW3]

Hey Bullfan, was it Angela that told you about the distinction between alternate and waitlist? I didn't know this. I was told I was an alternate. Well, I'll let you know what I find when i call today.

 

[Dr2BSoon]

I just called her and she said she cannot tell me anything besides that I am on an unranked waitlist. She said that if the committee has to meet again, they will rereview and rank the applicants, but this is rare. That is all she would tell me.

 

[Bullfan16]

After much back and forth, Angela finally conceded to me that there was a distinction b/w alternates and waitlisted students. Waitlisted= 20+ and alternate is top 10-20 or so (I could be wrong). When I explained to her my intentions of wanting to go to UIC, she told me I was out of what would be considered "the next candidate-to-be-called list" and when I asked her what that meant and that I thought "there was no ranked list" she claimed I was greater than 20+ and would most likely not receive a phone call to be selected as an alternate for the class of 2009 (which is fine with me!!!) This is what I was told. Maybe I got confused, but I distinctly remember her saying "you are not an alternate, you are considered waitlisted and usually the alternates are the first to come off the list". She also told me usually 7 people choose not to go to SIU (be it during summer or within the first couple weeks of school). However, when I went to interview and the student tour guide showed us around she explained that about 3-5 of her classmates (she is a D3) were called by UIC in the first week of classes and they left to go to Chicago and 3-5 new classmates joined them. So I would guess its more like 10-15 come off the list if you factor in the beginning of class and the first few weeks (which most adcoms dont traditionally count because its technically a new cycle, they closed the books on the previous cycle, and it would probably reflect poorly on the school to tell applicants that they should expect 3-5 students in their class to leave if they got called by their #1 school within the first few weeks of class). Lastly, coming from a dental background (dad, uncle, fiance's dad, her 2 uncles and her grandfather-being a DDS and faculty member at the former Loyola University Dental School) I have heard stories of kids coming to class and realizing within the first few days/weeks that its not for them and just leaving. So, if what Angela told me is true (which we should all know not to totally trust adcoms) then you guys should be in good shape.

Trust me...the waiting sucks...people tell you to forget about it but if its your #1 choice (even if you have already prepared to go to another school) its gonna stick with you everyday until you get that phone call.

 

[ScottW3]

I think there is the truth about the waitlist, and then what they are telling people. I called today and spoke with another lady (not Angela), and she said the waitlist is rather large (~100 students) and that it is not ranked. She said that when a spot opens up, they meet again and decide. Somehow I don't see how that would work given that people may drop out at various times and I can't see the committee meeting over and over sifting through 100 files. I guess its time to wait.

 

[ScottW3]

Has anyone heard anything new?

 

[ScottW3]

I spoke with Angela today. She was very helpful and very honest with me. She said that the waitlist in not ranked at this time. The committee has decided that they are going to wait until June or July to meet again (that is when they should have a decent number withdraw their acceptances). At that point they will rank the list and fill spots based on that list until classes start. They do not meet again. She also told me that even though I was reclassified as an IL resident, they place more weight to those students who have been residents longer (not what she told me to start out, but nothing I can do about that now). I saw a time machine on e-bay, maybe I can jump forward a couple months. I can't stand this waiting.

 

[Bullfan16]

I spoke with Angela today. She was very helpful and very honest with me. She said that the waitlist in not ranked at this time. The committee has decided that they are going to wait until June or July to meet again (that is when they should have a decent number withdraw their acceptances). At that point they will rank the list and fill spots based on that list until classes start. They do not meet again. She also told me that even though I was reclassified as an IL resident, they place more weight to those students who have been residents longer (not what she told me to start out, but nothing I can do about that now). I saw a time machine on e-bay, maybe I can jump forward a couple months. I can't stand this waiting.

Yeah I know what you mean...I shouldnt complain because I did get into dental school which was my #1 goal, but when you are given a chance to interview at a place you didnt think you had a chance in hell to get into (not to mention going to school there will save you a large chunk of cash) I lost focus on the original goal and can only look at the negative (or in this case the uncertain). I wish things would move a bit faster with UIC but it could be any day, 1 month from now, or the day before school starts (hope that doesnt happen). If Indiana didnt start so early I wouldnt be worried about this but there is 6 weeks b/w IU's start date and UIC's start date and a lot can happen in 6 weeks. The waiting definitely sucks!

 

[ScottW3]

Anyone hear anything new from SIU?

 

[drkt]

I still haven't heard anything. It's kind of wierd that they don't even send out a letter telling you that you are on the waitlist. At this point I have given up hope of ever hearing anything. Luckily, I really like Marquette. It just sucks, b/c my husband is in st. louis and it is so much cheaper!!!

 

[Bullfan16]

I still haven't heard anything. It's kind of wierd that they don't even send out a letter telling you that you are on the waitlist. At this point I have given up hope of ever hearing anything. Luckily, I really like Marquette. It just sucks, b/c my husband is in st. louis and it is so much cheaper!!!

Same...no official word from SIU. I dont get them at all...they should at least notify us of our status.

 

[ScottW3]

Glad to see I'm not the only one frustrated. I bet they are getting tired of me calling (I call about once a week). I figure since they are not going to tell me anything, I have to keep bugging them.

 

[ScottW3]

I spoke with Angela yesterday. She said they do not rank the waitlist until they have people drop out of the class, and so far no one has. Does anyone know when people were notified last year?

 

[johntara04]

I spoke with Angela yesterday. She said they do not rank the waitlist until they have people drop out of the class, and so far no one has. Does anyone know when people were notified last year?

Boo...Is that you?...Nice to see fellow Jazzfanz doing other things beside basketball.

 

[ScottW3]

Boo...Is that you?...Nice to see fellow Jazzfanz doing other things beside basketball.

Huh?

 

[DMD_2009]

I spoke with Angela yesterday. She said they do not rank the waitlist until they have people drop out of the class, and so far no one has. Does anyone know when people were notified last year?

I am also on the waiting list at SIUE. Its driving me insane! I know that there are so many people on the waiting list.

 

[Superhuntress]

Called SIU today. They said that some of the waitlisted applicants were sent rejection letters last Friday, and should be recieving them sometime this week. If we don't get a letter this week, we are alternates and still have hope. She wouldn't tell me if they had sent a letter to me though. SO be on the lookout for a letter, and if you haven't gotten one, that's good news.

 

[ScottW3]

Called SIU today. They said that some of the waitlisted applicants were sent rejection letters last Friday, and should be recieving them sometime this week. If we don't get a letter this week, we are alternates and still have hope. She wouldn't tell me if they had sent a letter to me though. SO be on the lookout for a letter, and if you haven't gotten one, that's good news.

Interesting. Thanks for the update and good luck to everyone. I wonder why she wouldn't tell you if they sent you a letter or not.

 

[ScottW3]

So I guess this means they ranked the list already? Angela told me Wednesday that it wasn't ranked yet. Has anyone here got a letter?

 

[Jone]

really dude, it's one thing to make your name known to adcom to tip the scale, but to call once a week, harass, and piss people off, you have pretty much guaranteed yourself a rejection. you will be surprised that even a secretary can get a candidate rejected.

i hope you prove me wrong, but really, you gotta have more common sense!

Glad to see I'm not the only one frustrated. I bet they are getting tired of me calling (I call about once a week). I figure since they are not going to tell me anything, I have to keep bugging them.

 

[ElDienteLoco]

really dude, it's one thing to make your name known to adcom to tip the scale, but to call once a week, harass, and piss people off, you have pretty much guaranteed yourself a rejection. you will be surprised that even a secretary can get a candidate rejected.

i hope you prove me wrong, but really, you gotta have more common sense!

It all depends on your relationship with the secretary. If you have built any acquaintance at all, it isn't a bad thing to keep in touch.

If you feel like they are annoyed that you are calling...you are probably going about this all wrong.

 

[ScottW3]

really dude, it's one thing to make your name known to adcom to tip the scale, but to call once a week, harass, and piss people off, you have pretty much guaranteed yourself a rejection. you will be surprised that even a secretary can get a candidate rejected.

i hope you prove me wrong, but really, you gotta have more common sense!

Let me clarify.... once a week was bit of an exaggeration. I call about once every three weeks or so (sometimes longer sometimes shorter). I figure that is plenty of time for my situation to have changed and for them not to think I am harassing them. I'm not an idiot, last time I checked, and I would definitely back off if I sensed even the slightest bit that Angela was becoming tired of me calling.

 

[drkt]

They did send out rejection letters this week. I got one. Good thing I was very happy with going to Marquette!!

 

[erbs8908]

They did send out rejection letters this week. I got one. Good thing I was very happy with going to Marquette!!

just got my rejection letter yesterday.