Waitlist at UVA

[ladybug1]

After a search, I found several old threads about this--but with seemingly mixed/conflicting answers. Does anyone know how the waitlist at UVA works? Do they continue to review the applications throughout the year (like 'hold' status at other schools) or are people accepted from the waitlist before May 15? Also is the list ranked? Likelyhood of a LOI helping? Previous threads indicated that UVA did not maintain a very long waitlist? Any truth to that?

Wisdom would be appreciated.

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[dude1344]

bump

 

[FFwannabeMD]

le bump!

 

[jsnuka]

From the UVA-SOM Office of Admissions website.

http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/internet/admissions/requirements.cfm#31 Questions



Explanation of the Alternate List
•1. Where am I on the Alternate List? What are my chances for acceptance?

The Alternate List at the University of Virginia is not ranked, and therefore it is impossible to tell applicants where they are on the list, or to predict their chances for acceptance.

•2. How are applicants selected from the Alternate List?

When positions become available in the class, the Alternate List will be reviewed much like a separate, self-contained admissions process. Several factors are involved in this process, including the instate/

out-of-state ratio in the class at the time positions become available. The Admissions Committee will select individuals from the Alternate List who are considered to be the most qualified at that point in time. Each time a position becomes available, this process will be repeated.

•3. How many applicants are on the Alternate List?

The number of individuals on the Alternate List starts out fairly large; usually about 175 applicants. However, as the season progresses, there is considerable attrition on the list, and by the time positions are available, there are typically only 70 to 80 individuals who continue to be actively interested in attending the University of Virginia. It is from this pool of applicants that the Admissions Committee will fill positions in the class.

•4. When can I expect to hear from the Admissions Committee?

It is impossible to know exactly when positions will become available. The Admissions Committee will overbook the class, knowing that some applicants will choose to attend another medical school. Because applicants are not allowed to hold multiple acceptances after May 15, we typically receive a number of withdrawals around that date. Based on previous years' experiences, we believe the class size will drop below 141 sometime in late June. At that time, review of the Alternate List will begin. All Alternate List candidates are kept under consideration until the first day of orientation or until an applicant matriculates at another medical school, whichever comes first.

•5. How many applicants are taken from the Alternate List each year?

It is impossible to know in advance how many positions will become available in any given year. In previous years, the average numbers of matriculants from the Alternate List has been approximately 10 to 12 individuals.

•6. What can I do to improve my chances while I'm waiting to hear from the Committee?

Because Alternate List applications are reviewed again when positions become available, you are welcome to add materials to your file at any time. Applicants may submit additional letters of recommendation, recent publications, or information about their most recent activities. Updated transcripts should be sent as soon as they become available.

•7. How will I be contacted if the Committee decides to make me an offer?

Should you be selected from the Alternate List, it is imperative that we have a phone number where you can be reached. If you will be outside the reach of telephone communications for any period of time, please send us a letter with the name and daytime phone number of someone who has the authority to accept or decline an offer for you.

We know this can be a time of uncertainty and anxiety. Please understand that we appreciate your patience and your continued interest in the University of Virginia School of Medicine. We realize that it may be difficult to make important decisions about your future while waiting to hear from the Admissions Office, and while we empathize with your position, it is extremely difficult to offer any assurances of acceptance. If you decide to attend another medical school, please notify us so that we can remove your name from the Alternate List.

Updated August, 2006

For specific questions regarding admission policies at the School of Medicine, please contact:

Director of Admissions
University of Virginia
School of Medicine
P.O. Box 800725
Charlottesville, VA 22908-0725
Tel: (434) 924-5571
Fax: (434) 982-2586
E-mail: [email protected]



Good Luck!!!!!

 

[Wahoos]

The Above post hit it on the nail.

I can give you a little more insight into the process of wait list at UVA med. I know Dr. Bailey and also helped with the admissions committee as a 4th year.
How many people come off the list depend on the year, in 2001 about 2 or 3 come off the list, in 2005 about 20 came off the list. We offer about 200-220 acceptances out of the 500 or so that are interviewed, usually enough people will pick other schools that will leave us with 5-10 spots that needs to be filled. There is no rank list for people waiting... but when spots do become avail, the apps are looked at indiviually. Some of the things that can help you improve your chances,
1.) if you have received acceptances from other med schools, sending UVA a letter of intent saying that we are your #1 choice and if given the invite you would come to UVA and drop other acceptances. I would also include why you liked the school and your reasons of wanting to attend. Mail this to Dr. Bailey.

My overall impression is that it is very hard to get off the wait list at UVA. Just my opinon.
2.) Update your file with any new material.
3.) continue to show interest in UVA.
4.) Have people / prof / research mentor / etc to write a letter of rec to your file or to Dr. Bailey confirming your excellence and your desire to come to UVA.

Those above things can move you up the list or give you a better chance but not a gurrantee. Basically, the committee will meet again when the spots are open and re-eval the applicants, this process is after May 15th and usually later into June or July. About the length of the waitlist, most people who are not accepted are on the list as we rarely send out rejection letters (they do happen in minority of cases), so I would say that a couple of hundred people can be keep on the wait list. When spots do open, those canidates are re-eval, and the best ones out of that group and most interested in coming to UVA as determined by the admissions committee meeting are offered spots.

 

[Wahoos]

My Overall impression is that it is very hard to get off the wait list at UVA.