Waitlist movement prospects

[Hopefulpremed29]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Hi all,

I am unfortunately on 3 medical school waitlists (Maryland, Pittsburgh, and Georgetown) and holding no acceptances. I have been trying do some research about the waitlist movement for these schools but am really confused given the conflicting information available. These are my thoughts for each school and what I have done so far.

Maryland
- interviewed in January and waitlisted in early March
- does not seem to have a lot of waitlist movement for this school, in fact last year they over admitted and then had to ask people to defer enrollment
- it seems they waitlisted everyone who interviewed after the end of October

Pittsburgh
- interviewed in January and waitlisted a couple days ago
- seems to be running a very different cycle than usual with admitting much higher stats
- last year had some waitlist movement but not a lot
- seems to have also waitlisted everyone who interviewed after a certain date

Georgetown
- interviewed in August and waitlisted in October
- sent a letter of intent
- they usually have some waitlist movement and place value in letters of intent

I guess I want to know what people's thoughts are on my chances of getting off one of these waitlists. I know 3 interviews is "supposed" to be the golden number for interviews so I was really disappointed by these results. Also, any suggestions for what I can do to improve my chances?

In addition, I unfortunately have to prepare to reapply but I have been struggling to get concrete action items for me to work on to improve my application. I have asked on here, asked my pre-med advisor, and talked to my mentor who is a physician. My WAMC chain is linked here and is below. Any advice on what to improve or who I should ask is appreciated!!

F, CA ORM from a large CA public university

- 3.93 GPA, 516 MCAT
- Letters: 2 PIs, 1 science prof, 1 history prof

Clinical Volunteer then promoted to Clinical Research Coordinator mid cycle in a clinical trial (350 hours completed, 750 hours expected)

• This is separate because at the time I submitted by primary I had it as 10 hours/week in a clinical role, now I do 10 hours/week clinical duties and 10 hours/week lab coordinator duties and get paid for these 20 hours so it isn't volunteering anymore.

- Research Assistant in a computational neurobiology lab (1000+ hours)

- Clinical Volunteering

• Medical interpreter (Spanish-English) at a large clinic that provides healthcare to underserved populations (not club related): 500 hours
• Medical assistant at that same clinic (not club related): 150 hours
• Health fairs (run by a campus club I am in): 80 hours

- Non clinical volunteering

• Food pantry, volunteered here a lot summer after my first year (not club related): 200 hours
• Blood center: 172 hours (volunteered at the on-campus blood center)
• Club volunteering as part of 2 campus clubs where we organized and run fundraisers, created informational pamphlets to distribute at health fairs, made recipe books to promote health eating for different diets etc, collected donations and distributed women's health products to students on campus in need: 218 hours

- Student Teaching Assistant (not a normal TA, it is like a TA assistant): 370 hours
- Shadowing: 75 hours

 

[PickaGodnPray]

No one can really say anything about waitlists since it really depends on everyone else's decision to attend or not. None of those programs have published how big their list is, but Pitt and Maryland did list how many got off (mind you this was two years ago now).

https://students-residents.aamc.org/system/files/2026-01/MSAR009%20-%20MSAR%20Waitlist%20Procedures.pdf

Your application is strong, only thing I would suggest is to add a hobby or something else you enjoy to your application if you didn't already that isn't service or healthcare related. You'd be surprised how people refer to an applicant as the *insert hobby here* person and it really helps standout in this process. As for your school list, it was incredibly top heavy. You were a good fit for many, but most of your schools are incredibly competitive where they will realistically have 10 qualified good fit applicants per seat to fill. I hate the line that schools give about "we had more qualified applicants than seats" but it really is true when it boils down to it. I'm hoping you end up with one of those seats, but if not apply again to more mid stat schools and you'll find success.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

I can say a fair deal about waitlists. 🙂

From Waitlist to Offer: Inside an Admissions Committee | Student Doctor Network | SDN

You are finally done with your interviews, so let the waiting games begin! In March, health professions programs will begin securing seats for the next

www.studentdoctor.net

 

[JAH_]

In the same boat as you. Hopefully we get off one waitlist.

How did you become a clinical research coordinator mid cycle with no gap years?

Was your interpreter job in person or online?

 

[Hopefulpremed29]

In the same boat as you. Hopefully we get off one waitlist.

How did you become a clinical research coordinator mid cycle with no gap years?

Was your interpreter job in person or online?

Yes, keeping my fingers crossed for both of us!

It was kind of fortunate but the clinical research coordinator that the study had decided to leave right as we were struggling with funding freezing etc. so hiring was really difficult. I just asked for the position and they said yes (I am 1 of 2 coordinators and I work part time).

My interpreting is a volunteer position and it is in person.

 

[14zip]

Plenty of people get off waitlists and unfortunately plenty of people don't, even those holding multiple waitlists (ask me how I know). I was on 4 WL's last cycle and did not get off any of them but ended up with 4 A's and 3 WL so far this cycle so things can and do change between cycles.

The best you can do is improve your application as much as you can from the previous cycle and make sure it is ready to be submitted in May or early June. Hopefully you do get off a waitlist ASAP.

 

[Hopefulpremed29]

Plenty of people get off waitlists and unfortunately plenty of people don't, even those holding multiple waitlists (ask me how I know). I was on 4 WL's last cycle and did not get off any of them but ended up with 4 A's and 3 WL so far this cycle so things can and do change between cycles.

The best you can do is improve your application as much as you can from the previous cycle and make sure it is ready to be submitted in May or early June. Hopefully you do get off a waitlist ASAP.

Any advice from a successful reapplicant about what I could improve or should focus on?

 

[14zip]

Any advice from a successful reapplicant about what I could improve or should focus on?

I focused on further clarifying my narrative and making that narrative very clear throughout my application materials. I also spoke about how that narrative influenced what I wanted to do as a physician and how my goals as a physician were based on my experiences. Also the more interview practice you do the better, and more confident you will be.

If you do end up having to reapply, you should know that schools won't necessarily consider you in the same way meaning schools may not interview you again or they may interview you this coming cycle after not having done so previously.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Any advice from a successful reapplicant about what I could improve or should focus on?

As a reminder

H

Thread 'Possible reapp looking for advice (3.91 GPA, 516 MCAT)'

Feb 25, 2026

Hi everyone,

As per the title I am unfortunately preparing for a possible reapp. I wanted to know what I should focus on over the next few months to try and improve my application for the next cycle. Please let me know if you have any thoughts on where I fell short and advice for what to improve. I really appreciate the support!

- F, CA ORM from a large CA public university

- 3.93 GPA, 516 MCAT

- Clinical Volunteer then promoted to Clinical Research Coordinator mid cycle in a clinical trial (350 hours completed, 750 hours expected)

- Research Assistant in a computational neurobiology...

• Hopefulpremed29
• Replies: 24
• Forum: What Are My Chances? WAMC Medical

Confirming and repeat to everyone.

I focused on further clarifying my narrative and making that narrative very clear throughout my application materials. I also spoke about how that narrative influenced what I wanted to do as a physician and how my goals as a physician were based on my experiences. Also the more interview practice you do the better, and more confident you will be.

If you do end up having to reapply, you should know that schools won't necessarily consider you in the same way meaning schools may not interview you again or they may interview you this coming cycle after not having done so previously.

Mission fit is the key to your success. Clarifying this is usually a major focus. That said, you got interviews, so you need to make sure you are consistent with your interviewing skills in articulating your fit with the program.

Reapplicants are also assessed how they have improved in how you fit with their program. Some programs only give you one chance to be reconsidered as a reapplicant (not necessarily interviewed both times).

I always tell those who will apply: keep going with clinical experience and service orientation activities during the cycle so the hours can add up if you reapply.