Trapped in no-man's land - WAITLISTED

[Graat]

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So I just got waitlisted at Vanderbilt, where I really wanted to go to. Couple of questions:

- I've heard that the best way to get accepted from a waitlist is to be persistant and keep letting them know that you think their school rocks. True? Any specific ideas?
- Is it possible to be accepted from the waitlist before May (when they said they re-review the waitlisters)?
- Would the admissions office/Dean be put off if I call them and ask why I was waitlisted?
- Would my interviewer be put off if I called him and asked why he thinks I was waitlisted?
- If I hold on to an acceptance at school X in May, but would rather go to Vanderbilt, can they still offer me a spot if one opens up in June/July/Aug?
- Would it be rude of me to drop school X in June/July/Aug and go to Vanderbilt? In my opinion everyone wins b/c I go where I wanted to, and someone on school X's waitlist also go where they wanted

 

[katec12345]

So I just got waitlisted at Vanderbilt, where I really wanted to go to. Couple of questions:

- I've heard that the best way to get accepted from a waitlist is to be persistant and keep letting them know that you think their school rocks. True? Any specific ideas?
- Is it possible to be accepted from the waitlist before May (when they said they re-review the waitlisters)?
- Would the admissions office/Dean be put off if I call them and ask why I was waitlisted?
- Would my interviewer be put off if I called him and asked why he thinks I was waitlisted?
- If I hold on to an acceptance at school X in May, but would rather go to Vanderbilt, can they still offer me a spot if one opens up in June/July/Aug?
- Would it be rude of me to drop school X in June/July/Aug and go to Vanderbilt? In my opinion everyone wins b/c I go where I wanted to, and someone on school X's waitlist also go where they wanted

I think it is true that the schools like to hear about how you really like them, etc, but I also think it's important to send them "updates." For example, if you're still in college, send them your first semester grades (which ideally would rock), or if you've published a paper, or gotten a new job, or whatever noteworthy accomplishments you've had since interviewing. I've been told you can do this more then once.

I think they can offer you a spot up until the first day of classes in August, although I don't know how often that happens. I don't think its rude to drop out of some other med school to go to Vanderbilt, because hey, someone dropped out of Vanderbilt to go to their first choice school when they accepted you! I'm sure med schools have this happen ALL the time, and that's why they create waitlists, but if they do think it's "rude," what do you care, you're not going there anyway! 🙂 But seriously, I think you're right in saying that everyone wins.

As far as calling to ask why you were waitlisted, I have no idea what the standard is; if I were going to call, I'd probably say something like "I just found out I was waitlisted, and Vanderbilt is my first choice, blah blah blah, and I was just wondering if there's anything I can do at this point to make myself a more competitive applicant." But, like I said, I'm certainly no expert!

Also, was your status page updated to reflect your waitlist status? Or for those who were accepted/rejected, did your page reflect your acceptance/rejection?

 

[Graat]

Thanks for the input. I think I am either going to call or send an email to Dean Helderman and make it clear that I would love to go there.

No, my status page has not changed.

 

[ssk123]

Thanks for the input. I think I am either going to call or send an email to Dean Helderman and make it clear that I would love to go there.

No, my status page has not changed.

hey, when did you interview???

 

[Graat]

I interviewed end of August.

 

[ssk123]

I interviewed end of August.

oh ok - good luck! it sounds as though you still have a decent shot at getting in. but i feel you - waitlists suck. i hope i either get rejected or accepted, none of this hazy limbo area.

 

[ambrosia]

being waitlisted sucks, thats all i've got so far too 🙁 . i wish i had a better idea what my chances are.

 

[sfbear]

What is the best way to get in touch with the dean to find out more about why you were waitlisted and what you can do to make yourself more competitive? Is it best to call and talk to them, or to send an email so they can pull your file and you don't put them on the spot?

 

[jennie 21]

I wouldn't call the dean to find out why you were waitlisted. That just seems like a bad idea to me. However, to the OP, if Vandy is your first choice school here's one thing you can do that may increase your chances of being admitted: write them a letter of intent. This is a letter telling them Vandy is your first choice school, you really really want to go there, and that if accepted there you would withdraw all your other applications and attend. You should only do this if the school really IS your first choice, and if you really would attend if accepted, and you definitely shouldn't try to do this at more than one school. It's probably better to wait until Feb. or so before sending a letter of intent--closer to when they may begin pulling people of waitlists. It'll remind them of your application and they'll have to pull your folder to file the letter in it, and anything that gets your application another look is good. I don't know how effective letters of intent are--I think it depends on the school whether they take them seriously or not--but it can't hurt if Vandy really is your first choice. Do keep in touch with the school and keep sending letters, etc. but don't bug them all the time--every couple of months is sufficient until March or so, then maybe every month, then during the summer every couple of weeks. Very few people get pulled off the waitlist before May 15th, the deadline for holding multiple acceptances, and many get pulled off the waitlist during the summer months. And withdrawing an acceptance from another school if you get in at Vandy during June, July or August isn't rude! Med schools deal with this all the time and they expect it. Your priority should be to go to the school you like best of the ones you're accepted to. Good luck--lots of people get in off waitlists, even though it's really really stressful in the meantime. I remember what it's like. Good luck!

 

[Graat]

Thanks for the input Jennie!

I wouldn't call the dean to find out why you were waitlisted. That just seems like a bad idea to me. However, to the OP, if Vandy is your first choice school here's one thing you can do that may increase your chances of being admitted: write them a letter of intent. This is a letter telling them Vandy is your first choice school, you really really want to go there, and that if accepted there you would withdraw all your other applications and attend. You should only do this if the school really IS your first choice, and if you really would attend if accepted, and you definitely shouldn't try to do this at more than one school. It's probably better to wait until Feb. or so before sending a letter of intent--closer to when they may begin pulling people of waitlists. It'll remind them of your application and they'll have to pull your folder to file the letter in it, and anything that gets your application another look is good. I don't know how effective letters of intent are--I think it depends on the school whether they take them seriously or not--but it can't hurt if Vandy really is your first choice. Do keep in touch with the school and keep sending letters, etc. but don't bug them all the time--every couple of months is sufficient until March or so, then maybe every month, then during the summer every couple of weeks. Very few people get pulled off the waitlist before May 15th, the deadline for holding multiple acceptances, and many get pulled off the waitlist during the summer months. And withdrawing an acceptance from another school if you get in at Vandy during June, July or August isn't rude! Med schools deal with this all the time and they expect it. Your priority should be to go to the school you like best of the ones you're accepted to. Good luck--lots of people get in off waitlists, even though it's really really stressful in the meantime. I remember what it's like. Good luck!