Waitlist tips from the war-hardened veterans...?

[xaelia]

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I humbly apologize for the intrusion from the Pre-Allopathic kiddie-corner, but I was wondering if any folks here had (hopefully successful) experience with pursuing acceptances off Waiting Lists. I've done preliminary research on other websites for general advice, but I'd love to hear specifics of what steps were taken, where efforts were focused, and what sorts of responses were received.

Thanks!

(ed. note: the poster above is suffering delusions of weaseling into Vanderbilt)

 

[TysonCook]

I think that it would help to keep showing interest such as giving them an update since amcas was sent in (ie letter, not email). This being grades for fall/winter/spring quaters, any new honors, recognition, publications.

Also, I think that after may 15 everyone has to narrow it down to one acceptance, so that will clear up a lot of spots that are being held by double accepts etc. Last year there where people that had held onto 10+ spots at different schools pending financial offers.

You may want to start a thread (like the one last year) where people are going, and when they give up spots post to what schools etc. That way you know a spot is open, and the people that give them up get a little "credit".

Good luck and don't stress, everything works out in the end.

 

[GatorDan]

Vandy seems to waitlist a lot of people who otherwise may have gotten in, which I think is due to lack of perceived interest in the school istelf (hesitant about living in Nashville, etc.). Basically they want to make sure that if they accept a student, they will have a high likelihood of attending. Write them a letter every so often (every 6 weeks or so) expressing your interest in the school. After May 15, I believe, they will start taking people off the waitlist, so make sure they have all your transcripts, letters of interest, etc. by that point. If you really, really love Vandy you may consider sending them a letter saying that you will definitely attend if you get in, and tell them why (this worked for the school I'm at now). I was put on the Vandy waitlist for the reasons above, I believe, and it ultimately turned out to be true (I didn't want to live in Nashville, and I'm at a school in a large city now). That being said Vandy is certainly a top-notch school with some great people (everyone is so friendly in Nashville, including students!) and would be a hard opportunity to pass up. So, good luck!

 

[Goya]

How do you know they waitlist ppl who otherwise might have gotten in? Getting accepted to med school is almost a crap shoot. I think they do accept the highest quality student possible. Most med schools attempt to fill a class with a diversity of students/personalities. I doubt if Vandy has an agenda to accept ppl who will are likely to attend their school. Heck, I'm from NY went to undergrad in Chicago so there would seem to be no apparent reason why they would think I would come down to Nashville. And yet...here I am 🙂 Yah, you're right that every school would rather pick a student who would rather be there...but that's seen in an interview. And most ppl would say.."yes..school (fill in the blank) is one of my top choices. blah blah"

But, I agree with everything else you said. Write...show interest...update your application if possible...just keep your name in their mind when they're pulling ppl off the list.

 

[dermatome S5]

Vanderbilt was one of my top choices after I interviewed last year. However, I didnt hear from them after my interview in september until March, and then again in May to tell me I was accepted. By that time I had already decided on another school and received a good financial package. My point is I ruled them out because I thought they didn't want me and I didn't do my part to stay in touch with them. If you really like the school, I wouldnt worry as you still have a good shot at acceptance. If you are undecided you might get the urge to look harder at other schools. I agree totally with the poster who said they try to accept students who will matriculate.

 

[Fletch_F_Fletch]

I got wait-listed at Vandy last year, and completely wanted to go there. I got into two schools before May 15 other than Vandy. I sent them new transcripts, letters, etc. every so often in the spring and summer basically saying the same thing, that I would go there if I got in. I waited until mid-July, then took myself off the wait-list because I had to find an apartment in my current city. I don't know if I would have made it in eventually, but I was a little frustrated with being on the wait-list since I never got in. Again, it is a crap shoot getting into med school, and the important thing is really that you get in somewhere.... you will become a doctor, which is the point of going through all this hassle. But if you are only wait-listed, be it at Vandy or at other schools as well, there is probably a pretty good chance you'll get in somewhere, as there is a fair amount of turnover in the summer months. Good luck.

 

[dknykid1980]

hey i dont know anything about VANDY. but the general rule of thumb as the ppl before we stated is to write, write, write! send this updates of your activities, why you want to be an MD, any significant OR even non-significant even in your life post-sending in AMCAS. I think the main thing once you are waitlisted is to distinguish yourself from the pack. You gotta show them that you really want to go to _____ College of Medicine. The more you show them this via letters, correspondnce, the more they know you are serious.


Good luck.