Wait-listed

[Chraitopia]

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Hey everyone. I know you've heard it time and again but here I am on the wait list looking for advice. The schools include AZCOM, LECOM, and TUNCOM. I'm not sure what I can or should do at this point. A new cycle has started already but I can't afford to apply again this year unless I want to interview at one school only (considering application cost + cost of travel. I'm saving up money in the meanwhile).

I want to send a letter of intent but I like each school and would have a hard time picking one over the other so it doesn't exactly feel genuine. Hopefully that doesn't put me in a worse position.

I've also been thinking about sending an update letter but I just recently finished interviewing and haven't done anything besides continuing work as a scribe and volunteer activities. I'm about to take part in a furniture distribution to an undeserved community. I'm not really sure what to write in an update letter and what I can do at this point that would be worthwhile.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Here are my stats for what it's worth:
cGPA: 3.6
sGPA: 3.5
MCAT: 30 (9/10/11)
Medical Scribe (1+ yr)
Volunteer experience with disadvantaged population (over 100 hours)
Research experience

 

[Pacna]

Don't write an update letter with no update.

Check if schools accept LoIs before submitting one. Choose carefully. I would pick the lowest-ranked school, as you have a better chance of being higher on their list.

As for reapplying, you'll need to show them something new if you want to have a shot. Apply to more/different places if your app is the same as the previous year.

Last: Don't give up. Your application is good. Call the schools that you interviewed at and ask what you can do to improve. Many will give you tailored feedback. 3 interviews and no acceptances indicates to me an area ripe for improvement. If you have to take a year off to gather the cash to try again (assuming borrowing isn't an option for you), it's not the end of the world. Most of my classmates are older than 25.

 

[Mantis32]

Hey everyone. I know you've heard it time and again but here I am on the wait list looking for advice. The schools include AZCOM, LECOM, and TUNCOM. I'm not sure what I can or should do at this point. A new cycle has started already but I can't afford to apply again this year unless I want to interview at one school only (considering application cost + cost of travel. I'm saving up money in the meanwhile).

I want to send a letter of intent but I like each school and would have a hard time picking one over the other so it doesn't exactly feel genuine. Hopefully that doesn't put me in a worse position.

I've also been thinking about sending an update letter but I just recently finished interviewing and haven't done anything besides continuing work as a scribe and volunteer activities. I'm about to take part in a furniture distribution to an undeserved community. I'm not really sure what to write in an update letter and what I can do at this point that would be worthwhile.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Here are my stats for what it's worth:
cGPA: 3.6
sGPA: 3.5
MCAT: 30 (9/10/11)
Medical Scribe (1+ yr)
Volunteer experience with disadvantaged population (over 100 hours)
Research experience

I agree that you should not bother with an update letter if there is nothing significant to talk about. However, this is a perfect time for follow up letters for your interviews. Most applicants overlook this courtesy Im told. Address one main letter to each admission director and if you can, send more personal letters to your actual interviewers, gently reminding them of your conversation. It will reiterate your interest as well as reassure them of your candidacy. GOOD LUCK!!!

 

[hallowmann]

You can absolutely send a letter of interest as opposed to a letter of intent (although I would pick one school that you would attend no matter what and send them a letter of intent). Try calling/emailing (whichever they seem to prefer) making clear that you are very interested in the school.

I also wouldn't get too worried. It's very early in terms of waitlist movement (mostly happens mid-May to mid-June). It's also not surprising if as you said, you just interviewed, probably for waitlist spots at this point in the cycle.

In terms of what else to do in the meantime, I'd really prepare to potentially reapply, unless you want to delay yourself another year. You can get a job and save some money between now and your interviews to make that more financially possible. Also, in terms of improving your app, I'd really look at what your weakness this cycle was (low MCAT, low GPA, few ECs, late app) and find ways to rectify those in this coming year. This is all assuming you don't get in off the waitlist this summer.

 

[Roxas]

Hey everyone. I know you've heard it time and again but here I am on the wait list looking for advice. The schools include AZCOM, LECOM, and TUNCOM. I'm not sure what I can or should do at this point. A new cycle has started already but I can't afford to apply again this year unless I want to interview at one school only (considering application cost + cost of travel. I'm saving up money in the meanwhile).

I want to send a letter of intent but I like each school and would have a hard time picking one over the other so it doesn't exactly feel genuine. Hopefully that doesn't put me in a worse position.

I've also been thinking about sending an update letter but I just recently finished interviewing and haven't done anything besides continuing work as a scribe and volunteer activities. I'm about to take part in a furniture distribution to an undeserved community. I'm not really sure what to write in an update letter and what I can do at this point that would be worthwhile.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Here are my stats for what it's worth:
cGPA: 3.6
sGPA: 3.5
MCAT: 30 (9/10/11)
Medical Scribe (1+ yr)
Volunteer experience with disadvantaged population (over 100 hours)
Research experience

First off, don't give up hope. It's still at the point where people may be holding on to multiple acceptances and there will be noticeable wait list movement yet to come. I would be saying this even if you were on just 1 WL, but you're on 3. It's not an ideal situation to be sure, but hang in there.

 

[xBODOMx]

.

 

[Goro]

The only thing you can do now is be patient. Admissions deans treat LOI as horse fertilizer. The fact that you to send one to three different schools is evidence of that belief.

IF you get shut out, you'll be better served by contacting the deans and asking for feedback on your rejection (which I surmise is from poor interview skills).

Work for a year, save some money, fix your deficits, and then reapply.



I want to send a letter of intent but I like each school and would have a hard time picking one over the other so it doesn't exactly feel genuine. Hopefully that doesn't put me in a worse position.

I've also been thinking about sending an update letter but I just recently finished interviewing and haven't done anything besides continuing work as a scribe and volunteer activities. I'm about to take part in a furniture distribution to an undeserved community. I'm not really sure what to write in an update letter and what I can do at this point that would be worthwhile.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Here are my stats for what it's worth:
cGPA: 3.6
sGPA: 3.5
MCAT: 30 (9/10/11)
Medical Scribe (1+ yr)
Volunteer experience with disadvantaged population (over 100 hours)
Research experience[/QUOTE]

 

[xBODOMx]

.

 

[Goro]

They both not worth the toilet paper they're printed on. How would you interpret a non-binding contract from a desperate applicant?

Your views on letter of intent vs. interest? Or does it not make any difference?

 

[xBODOMx]

.

 

[Chraitopia]

A bit late posting back but I would like to thank everyone for taking the time to offer their advice. Should I not be accepted this cycle, I will definitely contact each school to see how I can improve.

 

[hallowmann]

I wrote one and I had multiple acceptances, not necessarily desperate, I just actually have a true preference. It's unfortunate that they carry no weight for applicants in a similar situation. But I do agree with you. I wonder how they even came to fruition.

This may be the case at Goro's school, but I've been told by others on adcoms that they actually value letters of intent. Obviously it won't make them accept you right away, but (some) schools like to know that the person they offer the seat to is actually interested in the school.

 

[asdf123g]

Hey everyone. I know you've heard it time and again but here I am on the wait list looking for advice. The schools include AZCOM, LECOM, and TUNCOM. I'm not sure what I can or should do at this point. A new cycle has started already but I can't afford to apply again this year unless I want to interview at one school only (considering application cost + cost of travel. I'm saving up money in the meanwhile).

I want to send a letter of intent but I like each school and would have a hard time picking one over the other so it doesn't exactly feel genuine. Hopefully that doesn't put me in a worse position.

I've also been thinking about sending an update letter but I just recently finished interviewing and haven't done anything besides continuing work as a scribe and volunteer activities. I'm about to take part in a furniture distribution to an undeserved community. I'm not really sure what to write in an update letter and what I can do at this point that would be worthwhile.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Here are my stats for what it's worth:
cGPA: 3.6
sGPA: 3.5
MCAT: 30 (9/10/11)
Medical Scribe (1+ yr)
Volunteer experience with disadvantaged population (over 100 hours)
Research experience

when did you send in your primaries/secondaries? I feel like you should be a shoo-in (granted your interviews went OK and you didnt apply super super late)

 

[Gandyy]

Isnt a 3.6 and 30 MCAT very close to MD standards? I'm surprised you didnt get in immediately. Did you apply ridiculously late or something?

 

[Supernatural17]

Also wondering the same thing as the two posts above me.

 

[Foreveryours91]

I'm surprised you didn't get accepted immediately with those numbers. Did you apply really late?

 

[Chraitopia]

Yes, I did apply late but not intentionally so, at least not as late as it ended up being. For some reason my MCAT score was never received and I had to resend it when I found out. As a result, I completed my primary around November. *cue gasp* Yeah, it hurt, but what could I do? Anyhow, my interviewing skills were less than commendable for my first two interviews. I've only had one interview prior to January. I was rejected from that school and the next and wait listed on the last three I interviewed at mentioned above.

 

[Supernatural17]

I hope the best for you and hopefully whatever you decide to do it works out

 

[ortnakas]

This may be the case at Goro's school, but I've been told by others on adcoms that they actually value letters of intent. Obviously it won't make them accept you right away, but (some) schools like to know that the person they offer the seat to is actually interested in the school.

Agreed. They're not as magical as many on SDN make them out to be, but I don't think they're as worthless at most schools as they are at Goro's school. I specifically remember my interview groups being told we should send them if we were wait listed at my interviews last cycle at AZCOM and LECOM-B. I still wouldn't put much stock in them, but if you do truly intend to go to one of these schools, it can't hurt.

 

[hallowmann]

Yes, I did apply late but not intentionally so, at least not as late as it ended up being. For some reason my MCAT score was never received and I had to resend it when I found out. As a result, I completed my primary around November. *cue gasp* Yeah, it hurt, but what could I do? Anyhow, my interviewing skills were less than commendable for my first two interviews. I've only had one interview prior to January. I was rejected from that school and the next and wait listed on the last three I interviewed at mentioned above.

Hmm, this biggest problem with the story is the 2 post-interview rejections. You need to find out what went wrong there.

When I applied, I was as late as you with the primaries, and didn't have all my secondaries in until Dec/Jan. All of my interviews were from late Feb. to early Apr. I was also on multiple waitlist at first, but was accepted after the interview season. I think you'll be fine, but it's a good idea to prepare for the worst and figure out what went wrong at those other 2 interviews.