Stanford Waitlist

[mdeast]

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Lol. I thought we just migrated to the regular Stanford thread.

 

[Naijaba]

Did anyone besides Question123 get a response from Dr. Garcia? I'm wondering if he'll respond after all acceptances have gone out. And, yes I'm alternating between the Secondary Thread and this one to keep them both alive : )

 

[oze]

Did anyone besides Question123 get a response from Dr. Garcia? I'm wondering if he'll respond after all acceptances have gone out. And, yes I'm alternating between the Secondary Thread and this one to keep them both alive : )

i didnt get a response either

 

[wolfiemd]

Did anyone besides Question123 get a response from Dr. Garcia? I'm wondering if he'll respond after all acceptances have gone out. And, yes I'm alternating between the Secondary Thread and this one to keep them both alive : )

neither did i

 

[mdeast]

Nada.

 

[Feef]

Nope, only from Arturo

 

[oze]

Nope, only from Arturo

And the reply he must have burned into his soul by now.

 

[Feef]

And the reply he must have burned into his soul by now.

Haha, probably.

I hope he doesn't develop nightmares from the email. Wake up in the middle of the night screaming "your application has been updated!!!, regards!!!"

 

[Naijaba]

Haha, probably.

I hope he doesn't develop nightmares from the email. Wake up in the middle of the night screaming "your application has been updated!!!, regards!!!"

He probably knows our names by now at least because that's the only thing that really changes in his messages.

Oh and it seems more phone calls were received today..although they were all waitlists? I'm basing this conclusion off of the 3 more poll responses.

 

[Naijaba]

I feel the need to bump up this post so that any of the recent waitlisters/acceptees/rejectees can provide their data!

 

[mdeast]

Just for FYI, I was talking to an accepted student and found Stanford financial aid is changing within regards to Med-Scholars and a fifth year.

There is no longer a 13 quarter limit. You still pay full tuition beyond 13 quarters, so there is less of advantage of taking a 5th year. If you do take a 5th year pursuing research, I got the sense that you no longer had to pay tuition, but instead would just receive a slightly smaller Med-Scholars grant.

To slightly reflect this change, the quarter tuition rate has been lowered slightly. I'm not sure by how much.

Anyone able to comment further about this? This somewhat frightens me given that 3rd year (4 quarters) amounts to almost $90,000 in tuition alone...and I'm not sure if I'll qualify for any real financial aid (grants, etc.).

 

[Feef]

Just for FYI, I was talking to an accepted student and found Stanford financial aid is changing within regards to Med-Scholars and a fifth year.

There is no longer a 13 quarter limit. You still pay full tuition beyond 13 quarters, so there is less of advantage of taking a 5th year. If you do take a 5th year pursuing research, I got the sense that you no longer had to pay tuition, but instead would just receive a slightly smaller Med-Scholars grant.

To slightly reflect this change, the quarter tuition rate has been lowered slightly. I'm not sure by how much.

Anyone able to comment further about this? This somewhat frightens me given that 3rd year (4 quarters) amounts to almost $90,000 in tuition alone...and I'm not sure if I'll qualify for any real financial aid (grants, etc.).

During my financial aid talk on interview day, I believe the new rate for Med Scholars is $6,600 per quarter rather than $12,000. Someone verify this plz.

Mdeast, how did you arrive @ 90,000? That would mean tuition alone is 22.5k per quarter? I thought it was 15k per quarter, so it'll be 60k?

 

[mdeast]

During my financial aid talk on interview day, I believe the new rate for Med Scholars is $6,600 per quarter rather than $12,000. Someone verify this plz.

Mdeast, how did you arrive @ 90,000? That would mean tuition alone is 22.5k per quarter? I thought it was 15k per quarter, so it'll be 60k?

Woops. Meant tuition + expected living expenses.

 

[Feef]

Woops. Meant tuition + expected living expenses.

WHEW!!! I thought I seriously missed something during the financial aid talk.

 

[jehrdoc]

The incoming class will have a more straightforward MedScholars program. The changes include a up-front reduction in tuition during research quarters instead of "delayed gratification" beyond the 4th year. True, since tuition is reduced, MedScholars is reduced accordingly. Under the current system, students have to pay full tuition, $15,000, plus cost of living during research quarters. So, in effect, $15k-$12k = $3k to the school plus cost of living, for the hope of reaping the benefits of running into TMR earlier a few years down the line. The new system will reduce tuition and Med Scholars will pay tuition in the first quarter and pay cost of living in addition to tuition for quarters thereafter. Just makes more sense.
The savings in TMR have been spread over the first 4 years, so that tuition is reduced. I haven't done the math, but it seems like for people who choose 4 years, it will save lots of money. For people who choose 5, they will have cost of living and tuition paid for in their research year. Personally, as a current student, I'd prefer the new system.

 

[mdeast]

The incoming class will have a more straightforward MedScholars program. The changes include a up-front reduction in tuition during research quarters instead of "delayed gratification" beyond the 4th year. True, since tuition is reduced, MedScholars is reduced accordingly. Under the current system, students have to pay full tuition, $15,000, plus cost of living during research quarters. So, in effect, $15k-$12k = $3k to the school plus cost of living, for the hope of reaping the benefits of running into TMR earlier a few years down the line. The new system will reduce tuition and Med Scholars will pay tuition in the first quarter and pay cost of living in addition to tuition for quarters thereafter. Just makes more sense.
The savings in TMR have been spread over the first 4 years, so that tuition is reduced. I haven't done the math, but it seems like for people who choose 4 years, it will save lots of money. For people who choose 5, they will have cost of living and tuition paid for in their research year. Personally, as a current student, I'd prefer the new system.

Thanks...this does sound way more fair. Although I'm waitlisted and this isn't a worry yet, I don't really expect to qualify for financial aid should I be lucky enough to reach such a wonderful position of applying for it. I always thought it would suck to literally be doing research (work in lab that I should be compensated for...just like I've been doing in a real job for the last two years), but have all my "earnings" go towards paying my "tuition" for working in said lab...and, at the end of the day, having to pay $3k/quarter to do something I've been paid almost $40k/year for the last two years. For those on grant aid, this system worked in their favor. But, for those without grant aid...I thought this was sort of a strange system.

Glad to see it's become less complicated. I'd feel less like taking a fifth year was really just a banking maneuver. (Although, I'm still going to do it regardless of where I go....haha, Gates Cambridge...maybe you'll like me the second time around).

 

[Feef]

The incoming class will have a more straightforward MedScholars program. The changes include a up-front reduction in tuition during research quarters instead of "delayed gratification" beyond the 4th year. True, since tuition is reduced, MedScholars is reduced accordingly. Under the current system, students have to pay full tuition, $15,000, plus cost of living during research quarters. So, in effect, $15k-$12k = $3k to the school plus cost of living, for the hope of reaping the benefits of running into TMR earlier a few years down the line. The new system will reduce tuition and Med Scholars will pay tuition in the first quarter and pay cost of living in addition to tuition for quarters thereafter. Just makes more sense.
The savings in TMR have been spread over the first 4 years, so that tuition is reduced. I haven't done the math, but it seems like for people who choose 4 years, it will save lots of money. For people who choose 5, they will have cost of living and tuition paid for in their research year. Personally, as a current student, I'd prefer the new system.

Thanks for the explanation.

 

[mdeast]

What's everyone's stance on a second update letter over the next few weeks. We're only about 3 weeks!!!! from waitlist movement. I was reading last year's thread, and it seemed like most applicants accepted didn't write more than one letter to Dean Garcia.

Judging from the waitlist offers from last year (most students hadn't even written a letter), and the tone of "less communication" in the waitlist letter, I was thinking it might be better to just wait things out. Any opinions?

 

[Feef]

I would say don't send a letter unless something significant happened between now and your last update letter. You run the risk of annoying the committee by updating w/ relatively insignificant details or overlapping content w/ your previous letters.

I sent one update letter post-interview, and one intent letter after the waitlist. I think that was enough.

Any other thoughts?

 

[mdeast]

I would say don't send a letter unless something significant happened between now and your last update letter.

I sent one update letter post-interview, and one intent letter after the waitlist. I think that was enough.

Gotcha. That's exactly what I did actually. Might as well wait at this point. 22 days guys!

 

[oze]

yeah I sent my "bottom of the 9th" letter of intent and a separate mini update letter - I'm done; it is out of my hands now.

 

[mdeast]

Ach! So nervous. I just want it to be May/June...and to get that phone call. And for you all to get one too.

On a side note, there is a some random, young kid in the Stanford area code who has TWICE in the past two weeks accidentally dialed my number while trying to get in touch with his aunt. Major freak out both times.

 

[Feef]

Ach! So nervous. I just want it to be May/June...and to get that phone call. And for you all to get one too.

On a side note, there is a some random, young kid in the Stanford area code who has TWICE in the past two weeks accidentally dialed my number while trying to get in touch with his aunt. Major freak out both times.

. Oh man...

 

[mdeast]

. Oh man...

I know. And of all the random places to be calling from. I think it's the admissions gods trying to play tricks on me.

 

[oze]

Ach! So nervous. I just want it to be May/June...and to get that phone call. And for you all to get one too.

On a side note, there is a some random, young kid in the Stanford area code who has TWICE in the past two weeks accidentally dialed my number while trying to get in touch with his aunt. Major freak out both times.

dude - not cool. NOT COOL. If he calls you on May 16th, I will personally testify in court in your defense.

 

[mdeast]

Bumpity. Why not? 19 days to go!

 

[mdeast]

In another attempt to bump this thread. I'm gonna steal the UCSF idea and start a running list of us waitlistees. Copy and add to the list. Keep the hope!

IS/OOS, Interview Invitation Date, Interview Date, Waitlist Date.

mdeast OOS, II: 12/24, I: 2/5 WL: 2/19.

 

[Naijaba]

IS/OOS, Interview Invitation Date, Interview Date, Waitlist Date.

mdeast OOS, II: 12/24, I: 2/5 WL: 2/19.
naijaba IS, II: 12/22, I: 1/29, WL: 2/18.

 

[mdeast]

Thanks naijaba. I feel like the Stanford love is dwindling on here.

 

[Naijaba]

Thanks naijaba. I feel like the Stanford love is dwindling on here.

Yeah I was wondering what happened last year, everyone just stopped posting.

I still have my heart set on Stanford, but all is quiet on the western front.

Is everyone positive that Stanford won't accept wait-listers until May 15th? I would think that they'd know by now roughly how many people are going to turn them down : \

I've taken the dangerous road of getting my hopes up. All evidence points to increased wait list movement this year. I hope I'm not setting myself up for a big disappointment.

 

[Feef]

mdeast OOS, II: 12/24, I: 2/5 WL: 2/19.
naijaba IS, II: 12/22, I: 1/29, WL: 2/18.
Feef OOS:Cdn, II: 1/19, I: 3/12, WL: 3/24


My 2 cents. 🙂

I think everyone is quiet b/c they're gearing up for the summer and/or exams. And I guess the committee will make some people's summer extra happy.

 

[wolfiemd]

mdeast OOS, II: 12/24, I: 2/5 WL: 2/19.
naijaba IS, II: 12/22, I: 1/29, WL: 2/18.
Feef OOS:Cdn, II: 1/19, I: 3/12, WL: 3/34


My 2 cents. 🙂

I think everyone is quiet b/c they're gearing up for the summer and/or exams. And I guess the committee will make some people's summer extra happy.

i didn't know march had 34 days? lolol

 

[Feef]

i didn't know march had 34 days? lolol

DOH, I meant 24th. lolol

 

[oze]

mdeast OOS, II: 12/24, I: 2/5 WL: 2/19.
naijaba IS, II: 12/22, I: 1/29, WL: 2/18.
Feef OOS:Cdn, II: 1/19, I: 3/12, WL: 3/24
oze IS, II:2, I:3, WL:4


I forgot the exact dates and I'm lazy - you guys get the idea

 

[mdeast]

Yeah I was wondering what happened last year, everyone just stopped posting.

I still have my heart set on Stanford, but all is quiet on the western front.

Is everyone positive that Stanford won't accept wait-listers until May 15th? I would think that they'd know by now roughly how many people are going to turn them down : \

I've taken the dangerous road of getting my hopes up. All evidence points to increased wait list movement this year. I hope I'm not setting myself up for a big disappointment.

What is said evidence? Haha.

 

[Naijaba]

What is said evidence? Haha.

Well okay, I'm going to stay positive! Here's my 'evidence':

Two years ago they accepted 172 students for 86 spots, that's a 50% turnover.

This past year they accepted 206 for 86 spots, that's a 41.7% turnover.

The question I've been thinking about is: Why the 8.3% drop? It could be a random fluctuation sure, but I would bet the economy is the principal factor. Just look at the number of threads that have Stanford vs. Other School, with finances being called into question.

Stanford has to compete with the UCs and with schools that offer large scholarships. Both would be cheaper on the surface than Stanford. Plus, the newly revamped financial aid system may not be advantageous to all accepted students.

Also, I think there may be accepted students who dislike the lowered USNews ranking.

Bottom-line: While there are many of us 🙂hello🙂 who want to go to Stanford for personal reasons, I think there are many more top applicants who want to attend the lowest-cost or 'highest ranked' (*cough* USNews *cough*) school. Stanford is hurting in both these areas right now.

 

[mdeast]

I definitely think the waitlist is moving this year. If they accepted 135ish...I think the 170 number is more akin to a normal year. So you have at least 30-40 people coming in off the waitlist. This is a lot considering that I imagine the waitlist isn't THAT huge. Maybe 150-200 students still left by May 15th, at most.

I disagree about cost issues. I don't think the recession has really had a huge affect on medical school admissions/cost. The same grants/scholarships/loans exist just as they did 5 years ago.

Also, you have to factor in that the UC-system is currently under siege...UCSF, UCLA, and UCSD are probably big schools that steal students away from Stanford. They've slightly lost their low tuition stability factor, so more may migrate to Stanford.

And, I don't think there are enough people that care about US News rankings. After visiting Stanford I would have placed it higher up on that list personally anyway.

I'm still optimistic though.

On a scarier note...May 15th is 2 weeks!!!! from this Saturday.

 

[wolfiemd]

I definitely think the waitlist is moving this year. If they accepted 135ish...I think the 170 number is more akin to a normal year. So you have at least 30-40 people coming in off the waitlist. This is a lot considering that I imagine the waitlist isn't THAT huge. Maybe 150-200 students still left by May 15th, at most.

I disagree about cost issues. I don't think the recession has really had a huge affect on medical school admissions/cost. The same grants/scholarships/loans exist just as they did 5 years ago.

Also, you have to factor in that the UC-system is currently under siege...UCSF, UCLA, and UCSD are probably big schools that steal students away from Stanford. They've slightly lost their low tuition stability factor, so more may migrate to Stanford.

And, I don't think there are enough people that care about US News rankings. After visiting Stanford I would have placed it higher up on that list personally anyway.

I'm still optimistic though.

On a scarier note...May 15th is 2 weeks!!!! from this Saturday.

Hey mdeast,

out of curiosity, would you choose Stanford over Penn?

 

[mdeast]

Hey mdeast,

out of curiosity, would you choose Stanford over Penn?

Ohhhh....Tough, tough choice. I could talk about this extensively.

Short Answer: Penn for reasons mainly personal (family, friends, location). Although, I still think Stanford is a overall, better program.

Long Answer: Not sure.

If I get into either I'm probably going to be tempted to just withdraw everyplace else and end this process. Also, I seriously doubt I'd be put in that situation. It'd be a miracle if I got in off either.

Your thoughts? I sensed you were preferring Penn.

 

[Feef]

I definitely think the waitlist is moving this year. If they accepted 135ish...I think the 170 number is more akin to a normal year. So you have at least 30-40 people coming in off the waitlist. This is a lot considering that I imagine the waitlist isn't THAT huge. Maybe 150-200 students still left by May 15th, at most.

I disagree about cost issues. I don't think the recession has really had a huge affect on medical school admissions/cost. The same grants/scholarships/loans exist just as they did 5 years ago.

Also, you have to factor in that the UC-system is currently under siege...UCSF, UCLA, and UCSD are probably big schools that steal students away from Stanford. They've slightly lost their low tuition stability factor, so more may migrate to Stanford.

And, I don't think there are enough people that care about US News rankings. After visiting Stanford I would have placed it higher up on that list personally anyway.

I'm still optimistic though.

On a scarier note...May 15th is 2 weeks!!!! from this Saturday.

With regards to recession, I know the crisis really hurt undergrad admissions, esp to the top-tier schools. I'm not sure about med but I'm betting it is similarly affected. I personally know 4 people (not in this cycle) who had turned down Stanford because other top-schools offered merit-based scholarships. So Stanford's very few merit-based aid is def a minus to some students.

For the UC system, I think their In-state tuition is around 18-19k/yr (someone confirm that). Even if that increases by 70% or so, it'll still be cheaper than Stanford. And these UC schools are like heavyweights in the med school scene. . I think the real shift might be non-Cali schools stealing from UC schools.

The USNews ranking has its flaws. I think the med school system is too complicated to be accurately represented by a number. Even when I know two schools quite well, it's just too complicated to say one is better than the other. On the other hand, it is a level playing ground w/ the rankings since all the schools are subjected to the same criteria. It's not perfect, but it's an indicator. USnews ranking to Med schools is like the MCAT to us. Not a super accurate representation of our abilities but fair in the sense that everyone is judged with the same rules.

I do think many students take the ranking seriously. Some may be just "noobs" (HS, Freshmen, etc). Some may understand the schools well, but then its too complex to be compared, and the Rankings is the only yardstick they have. Some people like two schools equally, and uses the rankings as a coin-toss. Every pre-med I know, and some med students, were talking about the rankings when it came out. So whether consciously or subconsciously, they do care.

 

[bobsmith]

With regards to recession, I know the crisis really hurt undergrad admissions, esp to the top-tier schools. I'm not sure about med but I'm betting it is similarly affected. I personally know 4 people (not in this cycle) who had turned down Stanford because other top-schools offered merit-based scholarships. So Stanford's very few merit-based aid is def a minus to some students.

For the UC system, I think their In-state tuition is around 18-19k/yr (someone confirm that). Even if that increases by 70% or so, it'll still be cheaper than Stanford. And these UC schools are like heavyweights in the med school scene. . I think the real shift might be non-Cali schools stealing from UC schools.

The USNews ranking has its flaws. I think the med school system is too complicated to be accurately represented by a number. Even when I know two schools quite well, it's just too complicated to say one is better than the other. On the other hand, it is a level playing ground w/ the rankings since all the schools are subjected to the same criteria. It's not perfect, but it's an indicator. USnews ranking to Med schools is like the MCAT to us. Not a super accurate representation of our abilities but fair in the sense that everyone is judged with the same rules.

I do think many students take the ranking seriously. Some may be just "noobs" (HS, Freshmen, etc). Some may understand the schools well, but then its too complex to be compared, and the Rankings is the only yardstick they have. Some people like two schools equally, and uses the rankings as a coin-toss. Every pre-med I know, and some med students, were talking about the rankings when it came out. So whether consciously or subconsciously, they do care.

Tuition and fees were ~$26,400 last year and will be ~$30,200 this year. It's cheaper, but depending on your financial situation, they could end up being closer in cost

 

[Feef]

Tuition and fees were ~$26,400 last year and will be ~$30,200 this year. It's cheaper, but depending on your financial situation, they could end up being closer in cost

Oh you're right. I must've had old data.

 

[mdeast]

Oh you're right. I must've had old data.

my point exactly. with good financial aid (say 5k/quarter) they end up being the same.

 

[Feef]

my point exactly. with good financial aid (say 5k/quarter) they end up being the same.

👍. My head hurts just trying to predict what will happen...

 

[mdeast]

👍. My head hurts just trying to predict what will happen...

Haha exactly. I guess it's best not to worry about it too much. I got a revisit this weekend at the school I'm attending to look forward to. But, so nervous about the 15th time period.

 

[Naijaba]

Bump!

 

[mdeast]

Bumpity! One week to go.

 

[jbz24]

Good luck guys.

 

[Naijaba]

Good luck guys.

Thanks!

 

[mdeast]

Good luck guys.

gracias!