Wait List x4, what do i do?

[danielsonc]

---

Members don't see this ad.

nevermind

 

[DbDan]

This is my fear. My GPA is even a little lower than yours. I'd say that the biggest pitfall for your application is your MCAT, although a 25 should at least give you a shot at most DOs. Was that MCAT on this cycle? before you were waitlisted?

Also, other than just multiple volunteer hours were they diverse? did you focus on under represented? serve your community? Med related? tutoring?

Do you have work experience in the medical field as well?

Also, how many schools did you apply to? Normally it seems like 3-4 interviews is the magic number to wind up with at least one acceptance, have you been rejected from all others? I'd say other than trying to raise the MCAT again focus on making your application more diverse (obviously without seeing it I can't judge) and focus on what you could have done better in your interviews.

I would say keep the schools updated with current things you are doing, let them know that you are still interested. When your grades come in from your post-bac program, send them to the schools. You could also send letters of interest/intent to schools that you feel that you would definitely want to go to? It seems like the only thing you can really really hope to change for this cycle would be that the waitlist moves. Who knows, on 4 you could theoretically get the call for acceptance late in the cycle. All it takes is one

 

[jkmph]

Although I'm sure that being wait-listed four times after four interviews is discouraging, there is reason for optimism.

Let's assume that, on average, one third of students come off the alternate list at osteopathic schools. Obviously I'm guessing, it could be higher or lower depending on the school.

If you have a 1/3 chance of acceptance then you have a 2/3 chance of not being accepted. In simple probability terms (2/3)^4 =~ 20% chance of not coming off any of the lists. In other words you have an 80% chance of getting off the wait-list at one of these schools. This is ignoring rankings, etc and clearly a very crude estimate.

Good luck.

 

[JaggerPlate]

You're doing the right thing. Register for the MCAT, start studying hard and getting your ducks in a row for next cycle. However, I'd figure out where you really want to go, write a letter of intent there, and continually update all the schools with new grades, activities, etc, to show you are still interested. I think big waitlist movement happens, but you may be waiting in limbo for a while.

 

[swamprat]

I know this is easier to say than to be in the situation (I would be crying), but its 4 WL not rejections so they want to keep you around. You should write letters of intent and I think you will get off a WL.

 

[group_theory]

However, I'd figure out where you really want to go, write a letter of intent there, and continually update all the schools with new grades, activities, etc, to show you are still interested. I think big waitlist movement happens, but you may be waiting in limbo for a while.

You should write letters of intent and I think you will get off a WL.

While I think writing a letters of intent won't hurt, I think too many premeds (especially on SDN) place too much weight on them. Essentially all they do is inform the school that you're still interested - which is exactly what you did when you applied, submitted the secondary, and went to the interviews (at your own expense).

Letters of intent are non-binding, and there is no way for a school to know if you only sent one letter to one school, or you sent the letters to multiple schools. The only good thing that a letter of intent tells the school is that you're still interested and available should a wait list opens up. It won't change your position or rank on the waitlist (if there is a ranking) and traditionally schools will not refuse to offer admission to someone on the waitlist (if a spot opens up) even if that person did not write a letter of intent.

Just like writing thank you notes post-interviews, letters of intent won't harm but don't place too much weight on it helping.

 

[DbDan]

While I think writing a letters of intent won't hurt, I think too many premeds (especially on SDN) place too much weight on them. Essentially all they do is inform the school that you're still interested - which is exactly what you did when you applied, submitted the secondary, and went to the interviews (at your own expense).

Letters of intent are non-binding, and there is no way for a school to know if you only sent one letter to one school, or you sent the letters to multiple schools. The only good thing that a letter of intent tells the school is that you're still interested and available should a wait list opens up. It won't change your position or rank on the waitlist (if there is a ranking) and traditionally schools will not refuse to offer admission to someone on the waitlist (if a spot opens up) even if that person did not write a letter of intent.

Just like writing thank you notes post-interviews, letters of intent won't harm but don't place too much weight on it helping.

I agree with this and I don't think it does anything but keep you fresh in the mind of the admissions board. I would venture to guess though if it is a question of a spot between someone who did ad didn't write a letter of interest/intent and all else equal they woudl be more likely to offer that spot to the person who continued to show interest.

The one thing that I do think could substantially help is updating with current grades and ECs, this can change your application in a way other than your genuine interest, which is why I suggested sending in any new grades or strong LORs from new ECs

 

[group_theory]

I agree with this and I don't think it does anything but keep you fresh in the mind of the admissions board. I would venture to guess though if it is a question of a spot between someone who did ad didn't write a letter of interest/intent and all else equal they woudl be more likely to offer that spot to the person who continued to show interest.

The one thing that I do think could substantially help is updating with current grades and ECs, this can change your application in a way other than your genuine interest, which is why I suggested sending in any new grades or strong LORs from new ECs

One of these days I want to meet these two applicants (whether for college, med school, residency, fellowship, or jobs) that are exactly the same in all aspect except for one. I hear this all the time on SDN so there must be tons of people out there who are indistinguishable on paper.

It's on my list of people to meet, including the "two dudes" that always causes trouble and give ER docs job security.

 

[DbDan]

One of these days I want to meet these two applicants (whether for college, med school, residency, fellowship, or jobs) that are exactly the same in all aspect except for one. I hear this all the time on SDN so there must be tons of people out there who are indistinguishable on paper.

It's on my list of people to meet, including the "two dudes" that always causes trouble and give ER docs job security.

haha this is true. I'd like to meet them as well. Just a way of saying that it can't hurt and it makes you look a little better if you do it

 

[lawyerdoc2b]

Write the letter of intent and call Admissions at each school.

You might want to apply to William Carey University. You may stand a good chance of acceptance at a new medical school if you don't want to wait out a year.

Your GPA is your biggest problem. Repeat a course that you made a C or less in and raise your GPA to 3.0 or better and re-apply next year.

 

[beckhunter116]

If the waitlists that you are on are ranked based on the date you are waitlisted then I would think that you have a really good shot at getting off one if not more later. Is that how the waitlist works? Also a lot of schools have been known to accept people on the waitlist for the next years class if they don't get off the waitlist. If that happened at least you could save up some money before going off to school.

Plenty of people are holding multiple acceptances and could be holding off for MD schools so don't lose hope yet.

 

[Bones DO]

WL usually means eventually accepted somewhere. I'd talk to the admissions people at the schools you're waitlisted at and see what they'd like you to do to improve your application for next cycle. Best to plan to reapply, so if you get off a WL (which is very possible and I hope it happens for you) it will be a very pleasent surprise. Sounds like you'll be a doctor eventually, just the time frame is uncertain. Don't lose heart. 🙂

 

[Tekar]

Here's my scenario

low undergrad ~ 2.9 GPA 👎
Graduate Program at Midwestern Univ in AZ (same place as AZCOM) - 3.8 GPA 👍
Currently in another graduate program at Univ of South Florida - no transcripts yet but should be around a GPA of 3.5 👍
Just retook my MCAT. Went from a 20 to a 25 👍
2 years of DO shadowing 👍
multiple volunteer hours from different places 👍

Interviewed for 4 medical schools - AZCOM, TCOM-NV, PCOM-GA, and LECOM-Bradenton

ALL waitlisted 👎 🙁...what do i do next?

I just registered to retake the MCAT again at the end of January

I don't believe the GPA or the MCAT is your problem. Assuming your Graduate program at AzCom was one of those medical science graduate programs at a medical school, you clearly showed your capacity to succeed in medical school. The schools did the math, looked at your application and said lets meet the person, they meet our minimum requirements.

The common thread here is you and how you performed at the interview. Might have someone take a look at that with you. The GPA could be it, but it doesn't make sense. You proved yourself in a graduate program

sorry, my 2 cents devalued by inflation...

 

[knightdoctor08]

I agree with the earlier post about the interview being the common theme among all of the schools. It seems like all of the schools are willing to give you a personal look and then are not fully convinced that you are the person they want for their respected program. Maybe you should go thru a few mock interviews with someone who could give you very honest feedback. I would definitely write a letter and maybe mention that I would welcome the opportunity to meet with anyone from the admissions committee to discuss any concerns you may have with me. I think being on the waitlist is not a bad thing so I would keep a positive attitude and hope for the best. By the way I think you were at my AZCOM and Touro NV interviews. Did you go to FSU danielsonc?

 

[GraceEuphoria]

I don't think it's inappropriate to contact the admissions committees at all and ask what is holding you back. You could even specifically reference any concerns there may have been with your interview. Just indicate that you want to be able to improve if you interview with them again. Last year I had schools be very up front with me as to which part of my application needed improvement. If it is indeed the interview, you could try to contact your interviewers assuming it hasn't been that long since you interviewed. Might have to refresh their memories as to who you are specifically.

Most importantly though, don't lose heart! Four waitlists gives you a heck of a better shot at being pulled off one of those this year. I sat and sat and sat on a waitlist last year, never got pulled off, but know people from my interview group that did. With four, I would say you have a strong chance of being pulled off one of them. Send those letters!! It's early and you have time to send them a couple updates about what you're doing to improve your application.