Waitlist and GPA

[Wiingy]

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I was offered a spot on waitlist #4 today and I'm debating whether I should accept it. I'm 90% sure that I was waitlisted at these schools due to GPA concerns (sGPA <3.2 and waitlisted at top 20s), and if there is not really a chance of coming off with such low numbers I'd rather withdraw from the waitlists and avoid unnecessary stress/getting my hopes up after sending in update letters (and LoI to top choice). Input from LizzyM or Catalystik would be much appreciated.

Does anyone know if any of these schools (BU, Duke, Emory, MSSM) traditionally have large amounts of waitlist movement? Or am I pretty much out of the running regardless of GPA? Thanks!

 

[patel2]

I was offered a spot on waitlist #4 today and I'm debating whether I should accept it. I'm 90% sure that I was waitlisted at these schools due to GPA concerns (sGPA <3.2 and waitlisted at top 20s), and if there is not really a chance of coming off with such low numbers I'd rather withdraw from the waitlists and avoid unnecessary stress/getting my hopes up after sending in update letters (and LoI to top choice). Input from LizzyM or Catalystik would be much appreciated.

Does anyone know if any of these schools (BU, Duke, Emory, MSSM) traditionally have large amounts of waitlist movement? Or am I pretty much out of the running regardless of GPA? Thanks!

that's honestly one of the dumbest things I've ever heard (srs)

 

[Geekchick921]

This does not compute for me. Why would you think not accepting another waitlist is anything but a bad idea?

 

[akaVonk]

I was offered a spot on waitlist #4 today and I'm debating whether I should accept it. I'm 90% sure that I was waitlisted at these schools due to GPA concerns (sGPA <3.2 and waitlisted at top 20s), and if there is not really a chance of coming off with such low numbers I'd rather withdraw from the waitlists and avoid unnecessary stress/getting my hopes up after sending in update letters (and LoI to top choice). Input from LizzyM or Catalystik would be much appreciated.

Does anyone know if any of these schools (BU, Duke, Emory, MSSM) traditionally have large amounts of waitlist movement? Or am I pretty much out of the running regardless of GPA? Thanks!

Stick on them for as long as you can. Some chance of admission > no chance of admission

 

[Wiingy]

that's honestly one of the dumbest things I've ever heard (srs)

Not if you have to let your advisor know if you will be able to work on a research project out of the country by the end of next week. No email or phone contact from May to June... I'm accepted at a school I would be happy attending, so at this point any waitlist movement is just icing on the cake.

 

[Geekchick921]

Not if you have to let your advisor know if you will be able to work on a research project out of the country by the end of next week. No email or phone contact from May to June... I'm accepted at a school I would be happy attending, so at this point any waitlist movement is just icing on the cake.

Critical information you left out of the OP. 😛

If you would rather attend the school where you were waitlisted than the one where you were accepted, stay on it. If not, give the spot away.

 

[Wiingy]

This does not compute for me. Why would you think not accepting another waitlist is anything but a bad idea?

Sorry, should have clarified. I have the chance to go out of the country on a research project, but no email or phone contact for the duration of the project. I'm accepted at another school I'd be happy at so I'm wondering if it is worth staying in the country and working would be worth it. If I withdrew from this waitlist I would probably withdraw from the rest.

 

[Wiingy]

Critical information you left out of the OP. 😛

If you would rather attend the school where you were waitlisted than the one where you were accepted, stay on it. If not, give the spot away.

Edit: I would rather attend the school where I was waitlisted, but I won't have email/phone contact for the biggest period of waitlist movement if I take the job abroad. I would be happy to withdraw from the waitlist and take the job (since I wouldn't be able to respond to an offer) if it's not likely I'll come off the list.

 

[Isoprop]

WL movement is pretty random. Competitive schools will attract a lot of competitive applicants who will be holding acceptances at multiple schools. So from this angle, there is a lot of WL movement at "top schools." But many of these schools are the "dream school" of many applicants who will take an acceptance and withdraw all other applications. So from this perspective, there is little WL movement at top schools.

Also, your place in the WL is pretty random too, and it's not just based on GPA/MCAT.

IMO, it's really up to chance. No one can tell you for sure.

 

[patel2]

Sorry, should have clarified. I have the chance to go out of the country on a research project, but no email or phone contact for the duration of the project. I'm accepted at another school I'd be happy at so I'm wondering if it is worth staying in the country and working would be worth it. If I withdrew from this waitlist I would probably withdraw from the rest.

where are you going that you won't have ANY access to email at some point. Why not just update the med schools with contact info to the email, address and phone number of your parents house/friends house. If you get in to any of your dream schools, they can accept and send in the deposit for you

 

[Wiingy]

where are you going that you won't have ANY access to email at some point. Why not just update the med schools with contact info to the email, address and phone number of your parents house/friends house. If you get in to any of your dream schools, they can accept and send in the deposit for you

Conducting survey research in rural Africa. I might get access to email every week/2 weeks but that's not really fast enough to respond to an offer... Can you have someone accept for you by proxy?

 

[Wiingy]

WL movement is pretty random. Competitive schools will attract a lot of competitive applicants who will be holding acceptances at multiple schools. So from this angle, there is a lot of WL movement at "top schools." But many of these schools are the "dream school" of many applicants who will take an acceptance and withdraw all other applications. So from this perspective, there is little WL movement at top schools.

Also, your place in the WL is pretty random too, and it's not just based on GPA/MCAT.

IMO, it's really up to chance. No one can tell you for sure.

Gah, this is the answer I was afraid of. Thanks for the input, I'll contact the schools and see if I can have my parents accept any offers for me.

 

[patel2]

Conducting survey research in rural Africa. I might get access to email every week/2 weeks but that's not really fast enough to respond to an offer... Can you have someone accept for you by proxy?

I'm not totally sure about that, I would check with the schools first to see what they say. If you tell them your story, maybe they will allow something like that. But even if they don't, I would personally stay on the waitlists if you really want to go to one of those schools. 2 months of volunteer work in Africa isn't going to change your life and you can always do that stuff later down the road, while foregoing the chance at a school you REALLY want to attend for 4 years is a big mistake. Even if you don't get in, you'll always wonder about "what if" if you go to Africa. You're old enough that the emotional component of waiting and hoping only to be let down shouldn't really play much of a factor in this decision

 

[Wiingy]

I'm not totally sure about that, I would check with the schools first to see what they say. If you tell them your story, maybe they will allow something like that. But even if they don't, I would personally stay on the waitlists if you really want to go to one of those schools. 2 months of volunteer work in Africa isn't going to change your life and you can always do that stuff later down the road, while foregoing the chance at a school you REALLY want to attend for 4 years is a big mistake. Your old enough that the emotional attachment component of waiting and hoping only to be let down shouldn't really play much of a factor in this decision

It's not 2 months of volunteer work, it's a continuation of a research project I've been working on the past 18 months. I'm not expecting it to "change my life," I think it's a fun project and I've been looking forward to going back to extend some of the work I started last summer. The "emotional attachment of waiting and hoping" is more pragmatic - I'd rather be able to find decent housing, make plans to move, figure out how long I would need to be gone, and not get surprised by a waitlist offer that would make me abandon the work to drop everything and fly out of the country to make orientation. I'd be happy at the school I'm planning to attend, but I might be happier at one of the ones I'm waitlisted at, and it would be nice to have a realistic idea of my chances so I don't waste this opportunity hoping for something that isn't likely, or so I can politely decline the offer and give the PI adequate time to find a new researcher.

 

[Isoprop]

If it were me, I would go to Africa and drop my WL positions. I'm not the type to wonder "what if" and I'd already be in a place I would be happy at. The Africa research position also sounds awesome.

Just my opinion. Either way you decide, congrats.

 

[Wiingy]

If it were me, I would go to Africa and drop my WL positions. I'm not the type to wonder "what if" and I'd already be in a place I would be happy at. The Africa research position also sounds awesome.

Just my opinion. Either way you decide, congrats.

Thanks for the advice - I was leaning towards this decision but hoping to get some more information so I didn't waste an opportunity.

I wish schools were more open about the size of their waitlist and expected movement to help students make decisions, but I understand why it is in their interest to keep a large, diverse waitlist so that they can keep the class composition exactly how they want it.

 

[OoEeOoAhAh]

I'd be happy at the school I'm planning to attend, but I might be happier at one of the ones I'm waitlisted at, and it would be nice to have a realistic idea of my chances so I don't waste this opportunity hoping for something that isn't likely, or so I can politely decline the offer and give the PI adequate time to find a new researcher.

If you think this, then you should stay on the waitlist. End of story.

No offense, but you're making a bigger deal out of this than is necessary. Why in the world would you even consider dropping the trip? If it's nearly as fun as you say (and I imagine it is), you'll be too busy and happy to worry about these schools. As far as the "out of reach" issue, you admit that you'll have periodic internet access and, as others suggested, schools will understand your situation and be accommodating by allowing a proxy or whatever. Believe it or not, you're not the first pre-med to go to rural Africa.

I know all too well that waitlists can be frustrating. I'm on even more of them than you and unfortunately, I'll be sitting at my computer through May and June wondering what's happening with my application at a few of the schools I'm interested in, not gallivanting around Africa. Don't be afraid of a little uncertainty- stay on the lists and see what happens. You might be surprised; you could be accepted before you leave (particularly if the schools see your commitment to this project) or after you return.

 

[Wiingy]

If you think this, then you should stay on the waitlist. End of story.

No offense, but you're making a bigger deal out of this than is necessary. Why in the world would you even consider dropping the trip? If it's nearly as fun as you say (and I imagine it is), you'll be too busy and happy to worry about these schools. As far as the "out of reach" issue, you admit that you'll have periodic internet access and, as others suggested, schools will understand your situation and be accommodating by allowing a proxy or whatever. Believe it or not, you're not the first pre-med to go to rural Africa.

I know all too well that waitlists can be frustrating-- I'm on even more of them than you and unfortunately, I'll be sitting at my computer through May and June wondering what's happening with my application at a few of the schools I'm interested in, not gallivanting around Africa. Don't be afraid of a little uncertainty- stay on the lists and see what happens. You might be surprised-- you could be accepted before you leave (particularly if the schools see your commitment to this project) or after you return.

Good points - while I might be happily surprised, the bigger issue is that if I do come off a waitlist, I might have to leave the project early and it would be very difficult to find someone else to just fly in and do the work I had agreed to do. My PI might well murder me (understandably) if I commit to a certain time frame and just up and leave before it's finished.

Sorry about your waitlists, it's really not a fun category to be in.

 

[OrangeandMaroon]

Go to Africa. Stay on the waitlists. Contact the schools to see what kinda of timeline you'll have to respond to a possible offer. Look into giving a parent or spouse power of attorney while you're gone.

 

[fneverforget]

I was offered a spot on waitlist #4 today and I'm debating whether I should accept it. I'm 90% sure that I was waitlisted at these schools due to GPA concerns (sGPA <3.2 and waitlisted at top 20s), and if there is not really a chance of coming off with such low numbers I'd rather withdraw from the waitlists and avoid unnecessary stress/getting my hopes up after sending in update letters(and LoI to top choice). Input from LizzyM or Catalystik would be much appreciated.

Does anyone know if any of these schools (BU, Duke, Emory, MSSM) traditionally have large amounts of waitlist movement? Or am I pretty much out of the running regardless of GPA? Thanks!

^^^ How did you manage to get waitlisted at Duke, Emory, or MSSM if your sGPA is below 3.2? Was the rest of your application strong, like overall gpa, LORs, MCAT scores, PS statements, URM status?

 

[OoEeOoAhAh]

Good points - while I might be happily surprised, the bigger issue is that if I do come off a waitlist, I might have to leave the project early and it would be very difficult to find someone else to just fly in and do the work I had agreed to do. My PI might well murder me (understandably) if I commit to a certain time frame and just up and leave before it's finished.

You said the project was done in June so why exactly would you have to fly home? Orientation? I've heard of mid-July orientation, but certainly nothing before then. You'd have to find housing? Sure, but you could do that simply by spending two hours in the nearest internet cafe looking up housing in Boston / Durham (ha- there can't be that many options) / Atlanta / New York (where I imagine MSSM provides it). Even a quick "Anyone need a roommate?" post on the Facebook group for your class would likely solve the problem.

In short, I think these logistics can all be worked out fairly easily. It's why I think you're blowing this out of proportion.

As for the emotional aspect, if you're so indecisive that you only think you might happier at a school where you're waitlisted, then why are you so worried about getting your hopes up? Again, mountain out of a mole hill.

Really, it just sounds like you want us to tell you to drop the WLs because you're desperate to be done with the admissions process (aren't we all?) and you hate uncertainty. If that's the case, then fine- dump the waitlists. I'll only wish that you had been on one that I was on, too.

But as for me, I'm sticking with my WLs. To me, month or two of anxiety is worth the chance make my own decision of what kind of life I want for the next four years.

 

[DoctwoB]

Go to Africa. Stay on the waitlists. Contact the schools to see what kinda of timeline you'll have to respond to a possible offer. Look into giving a parent or spouse power of attorney while your gone.

This. 👍

I doubt a school would care in the slightest (or would ever find out) if a parent accepted an offer for you. Sure you won't get the phone call, but have your parents check your messages and respond to your emails. As long as your folks send in the deposit for you, they'll be happy. If you want to be 100% sure you can get some sort of document notarized that authorizes your parents to accept offers from schools X, Y, and Z.

 

[Wiingy]

You said the project was done in June so why exactly would you have to fly home? Orientation? I've heard of mid-July orientation, but certainly nothing before then. You'd have to find housing? Sure, but you could do that simply by spending two hours in the nearest internet cafe looking up housing in Boston / Durham (ha- there can't be that many options) / Atlanta / New York (where I imagine MSSM provides it). Even a quick "Anyone need a roommate?" post on the Facebook group for your class would likely solve the problem.

In short, I think these logistics can all be worked out fairly easily. It's why I think you're blowing this out of proportion.

As for the emotional aspect, if you're so indecisive that you only think you might happier at a school where you're waitlisted, then why are you so worried about getting your hopes up? Again, mountain out of a mole hill.

Really, it just sounds like you want us to tell you to drop the WLs because you're desperate to be done with the admissions process (aren't we all?) and you hate uncertainty. If that's the case, then fine- dump the waitlists. I'll only wish that you had been on one that I was on, too.

But as for me, I'm sticking with my WLs. To me, month or two of anxiety is worth the chance make my own decision of what kind of life I want for the next four years.

Sorry, I was unclear. I'll be in the field/out of email contact through late June, then back in the lab until late July. I just didn't want to commit to staying for a certain amount of time and then leave suddenly without a replacement. Really more curious about how the GPA affects WL movement.

 

[Wiingy]

This. 👍

I doubt a school would care in the slightest (or would ever find out) if a parent accepted an offer for you. Sure you won't get the phone call, but have your parents check your messages and respond to your emails. As long as your folks send in the deposit for you, they'll be happy. If you want to be 100% sure you can get some sort of document notarized that authorizes your parents to accept offers from schools X, Y, and Z.

Thanks for the reply - I'll definitely ask each school how best to handle a proxy.

 

[LizzyM]

If you got an interview, your gpa is "good enough" in light of the rest of your application. However, waitlist movement can be very little (one or two offers made) or extraordinarily heavy (50 offers from a waitlist of a few hundred). It is impossible to tell from year to year until after things shake out on May 15 and then how things leapfrog as people get off of waitlists and trade up to "better schools" leaving a hole at their previous school.

Some people would accept the current offer, drop the waitlists, make plans for school and go to Africa. There are alternatives, of course, as some have pointed out to you.