Waitlist/Late Interview = Kiss of Death?

[IntoTheWoods]

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Just got a "waitlist" from a program as well as a "the program opened a few more spots so you got in" interview invite today. Don't get me wrong, I am excited for whatever I can get, but any thoughts on whether or not this type of news means "we will take you to make sure we don't have to scramble" or "we wish we would have looked at you sooner"? Just figured a few of us were asking ourselves that question as we roll through November.

 

[dmitrinyr]

Intothewoods,

Regardless of when they gave you an interview invite, they still actually asked you to come in to interview for a spot. This means that they think you are qualified (on paper) and so they want to talk to you to see you in person. This whole process is kind of a crapshoot and doesn't make sense sometimes as who gets interviews and who doesn't. So, just because you got an interview only after someone dropped/cancelled doesn't mean that you are behind the 8 ball. Just go there, make the best impression possible and hope for the best. I'm not even sure that the interviewers know during the interview that you were picked from waitlist as opposed to regularly. Good luck.

 

[IntoTheWoods]

Thanks for the input. Is this consensus statement? I kind of figured I would get more than one opinion, but if that is the way it is than great. Anyone have any experience with getting called up from the waitlist? Thanks

 

[crewmaster1]

From my understanding, many programs look at all interviewees as somewhat equal. The application is designed to see if they think you can actually survive their residency. The interview is to see if they like you. Not completely true, but probably a reasonable generalization. If they weren't considering you they wouldn't waste their time on your interview.

 

[roja]

Yes, they want to meet you. The truth of the matter is that there are tons of quailified applicants and it is impossible to manage all the schedules. If they offered you an interview, they are interested. If you are really interested, talk to the program coordinator. They are the life blood of the interview season.

 

[Cerberus]

For those who have gone through the process and been waitlisted, how many of you received an interview off the waitlist? I received an interview offer yesterday, immediately responded with the dates I wanted, and got an email today stating all dates had been filled and I am now on the waitlist =(

 

[dmitrinyr]

For those who have gone through the process and been waitlisted, how many of you received an interview off the waitlist? I received an interview offer yesterday, immediately responded with the dates I wanted, and got an email today stating all dates had been filled and I am now on the waitlist =(

This seems a bit odd. They offered you an interview and then before you can confirm a specific date, they filled all of the spots and then put you on the waiting list? This seems like something an airline does as they sell more tickets than there are seats and then you come to the counter to find out that you are on standby. I've never heard of places doing this. I've always thought that if they give you an invite, that you have an interview unless you cancel on them.

 

[Cerberus]

This seems a bit odd. They offered you an interview and then before you can confirm a specific date, they filled all of the spots and then put you on the waiting list? This seems like something an airline does as they sell more tickets than there are seats and then you come to the counter to find out that you are on standby. I've never heard of places doing this. I've always thought that if they give you an invite, that you have an interview unless you cancel on them.

Yeah, I don't know what the deal is. The email I got had lots of available dates on it. I tried to call and got no answer so I sent an email, to which I have yet to receive a response😡👎thumbdown

 

[IntoTheWoods]

I had a program specifically tell me that they offer more interviews than spots, because they typically have cancellations come along. More or less got the "If you are really interested, give us a call soon" vibe. Probably less trouble for them then going down the "call list"

 

[dmitrinyr]

I had a program specifically tell me that they offer more interviews than spots, because they typically have cancellations come along. More or less got the "If you are really interested, give us a call soon" vibe. Probably less trouble for them then going down the "call list"

I understand that they want applicants to be interested but if you offer an applicant an interview invite today and then have the spots filled by the next day, that's seems a bit odd. Many students don't check their emails until later in the afternoon as they have rotations and then call or email the next day.

 

[Seville]

I understand that they want applicants to be interested but if you offer an applicant an interview invite today and then have the spots filled by the next day, that's seems a bit odd. Many students don't check their emails until later in the afternoon as they have rotations and then call or email the next day.

I was sent an "invitation to interview" email from one of the programs recently. I responded via my phone to the email within the hour. I heard nothing in response. Waited a few days, nothing. Emailed again to make sure they'd received the email. Called them and was told that all dates were filled and I was placed on a waitlist, despite having responded almost immediately to the initial email.

This process is ridiculous.

 

[dmitrinyr]

I was sent an "invitation to interview" email from one of the programs recently. I responded via my phone to the email within the hour. I heard nothing in response. Waited a few days, nothing. Emailed again to make sure they'd received the email. Called them and was told that all dates were filled and I was placed on a waitlist, despite having responded almost immediately to the initial email.

This process is ridiculous.

Seville,

That's horrible. Especially considering that you responded with a phone call within the hour. What else do they expect you to do?

 

[Seville]

Seville,

That's horrible. Especially considering that you responded with a phone call within the hour. What else do they expect you to do?

Carrier pigeons and candygrams?

 

[LadyWolverine]

I too have had a similar problem with recieving invitations, only to find out that, after a timely response, I have been put on a waitlist. However, each of those programs eventually got around to finding me a date, and many of them I was able to reschedule because people are constantly changing/cancelling dates.

As for places that waitlisted me right off the bat, or didn't tell me anything one way or another - I called/emailed those programs in which I had a sincere interest to let them know that I really wanted to interview there - and I was specific about my reasons (obviously only worth it if you are truly interested in the program). I ended up with more interviews that way. I also received some rejections, but at least I now know one way or another, and am no longer being kept in the lurch. For what it's worth, I was a pretty late applicant and was probably behind the game to begin with. If I can get an interview spot just by sending a simple email or making a phone call to express interest, there's no reason that strategy won't work for you.

However, I'm the type of person who would rather have a definitive "no" then be strung along with a "well, maybe....." for weeks on end, though. Your method may vary, depending on how comfortable you are with the word NO.

 

[HIJay]

i was able to get an interview by actually emailing the PD, the PD actually read through my app and email me back saying the RC will get in contact with me for an interview.
so email and calling definitely helps!