Waitlist Questions

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
It's a mix of both. What emphasis is given to stats vs interview depends on the school, but they both absolutely do matter.

The schools that I've seen either score you (points for GPA, points for MCAT, points for interview) or vote on you (like 3-30 people vote yay or nay on your admission). If you fall in a range of points or votes, you get accepted. Below that, you get waitlisted or on hold. And if you get below a certain threshold, you get rejected.

It could be a mix of things that you are on a waitlist. If it's your GPA, you can't do much at this point. However, if its your interviewing skills, you can practice in case of future interviews. It also helps to send an update letter in a little while so that they know you're interested. DO schools care about interest.
 
Do you mean post II?
As I see it, your scores will get you the II, after that it is mainly your interviewing skills and if the adcom thinks you are a good fit for their program. At the end of the day, each adcom wants their students to succeed and if they feel you will there, you will get accepted/waitlisted. Do not take waitlist as a bad thing post II as many people are removed (numbers vary per school like many mid tier schools will have heavy waitlist movement while Umich will have no waitlist movement)

I am sure @Goro or another adcom member can enlighten us further on this topic
 
Stats may matter less, but they absolutely do matter after the interview too. How much they matter varies depending on the school. It's definitely not like, let's forget their stats completely.
 
I understand that medical schools use a holistic approach to reviewing applications. But to be honest, I think two things affect the outcome of an interview: how you present yourself and how well the school fits you.

Interview day is a way for the school to learn about you as well as for you to learn about them.

Stats probably matter less after an interview invite.

Minor interview error are absolutely fine, but if you're a super awkward person, then that may affect your chances of getting in.

You stated that you were not particularly bad with interviews, so I'm going to assume that you're not an awkward person.

Maybe the school doesn't fit you as well. For example, you could have done a lot of research in college and expressed your interest in doing so in medical school. But the school was fairly new and faculty members didn't conduct research.

Each medical school is aware of what they and other schools have to offer. Knowing your stats, a school can tell what other schools you'd get in to that are a better fit for you.

Just keep your chin up and you'll get in somewhere buddy!
 
Yes.

But at this point I'm wondering is it possible that my metrics are one of the reasons I'm being placed on the waitlist?


Also yes. EDIT: most people are terrible judges of how they interview.
Or are they competitive enough and it really is my interviewing skills?[/QUOTE]
 
Top