Waistlist vs. No Decision made

[Dr.Smiley-OR]

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I have observed from the website that the schools I applied to have already sent out acceptance letters and also waitlist letters. I called these schools because I have not heard from them (I already have my interviews with them before December 2004). Two schools told me that no decision has been made about my application. What does that mean really? I am very confused. If the schools already made up their alternate list / waitlist, but my profile is not yet decided on, does it mean I am being rejected? Should I wait to receive a rejection letter later in the year?


I am very curious and confused about this matter. What does "waitlist" mean and how is it compared to applications that are not yet decided?

Has any school sent out rejection letters????

 

[HangOnSloopy]

I think theres a few things to take into account. I am purely speculating here, so please feel free to correct me if you think I'm making a false assumption, but considering where we are in the cycle, many schools have probably given out enough acceptances to fill roughly half their classes (some more, some less). Some schools build an alternate list right away and some may just set you to the side for now and build an alternate list after they finish interviewing.

If they are "waiting to make a decision on you" and you havent interviewed yet, then I would say you're probably a long shot. If they cant decide whether they want to interview you or not, you're probably fighting the odds to get in at all.

On the other hand, if you have interviewed and they are waiting to decide on you, I'd be more inclined to think that they want to offer you a spot and are just waiting till they get their first round of deposits to see how many places they will have open, and to a lesser extent, how many people from later interview days are strong competitors. I would also think that in this case, you probably won't be rejected (cause if they wanted to, then they could have rejected you right after your interview) and worst case scenario, you'll be an alternate. I'm in this situation with a school right now actually, maybe its just wishful thinking but I'd like to think that this is where things stand.

There may be more you can do to figure out where you stand, but I' dunno for sure about that. Maybe someone else can fill you in on that, but either way, good luck!

 

[hockeydentist]

I think theres a few things to take into account. I am purely speculating here, so please feel free to correct me if you think I'm making a false assumption, but considering where we are in the cycle, many schools have probably given out enough acceptances to fill roughly half their classes (some more, some less). Some schools build an alternate list right away and some may just set you to the side for now and build an alternate list after they finish interviewing.

If they are "waiting to make a decision on you" and you havent interviewed yet, then I would say you're probably a long shot. If they cant decide whether they want to interview you or not, you're probably fighting the odds to get in at all.

On the other hand, if you have interviewed and they are waiting to decide on you, I'd be more inclined to think that they want to offer you a spot and are just waiting till they get their first round of deposits to see how many places they will have open, and to a lesser extent, how many people from later interview days are strong competitors. I would also think that in this case, you probably won't be rejected (cause if they wanted to, then they could have rejected you right after your interview) and worst case scenario, you'll be an alternate. I'm in this situation with a school right now actually, maybe its just wishful thinking but I'd like to think that this is where things stand.

There may be more you can do to figure out where you stand, but I' dunno for sure about that. Maybe someone else can fill you in on that, but either way, good luck!

Right on sloppy

Hd

 

[Biogirl361]

I agree. in my opinion "no decision" is better than already waitlisted after you've been interviewed.

 

[Dr.Smiley-OR]

thank you for all your input, that helps me at ease a bit!