Waitlisted already?

[thatguy101]

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So I had 5 interviews so far this year. I applied early and I believe I have a great application. However I have received 3 wait lists so far this year. One from LECOM B (which I honestly don't care I wasn't a fan of the school), another from NOVA which seems to be on a wait listing binge this year, and one from Campbell. As stated before I don't care about lecom, but the Campbell and NOVA wait lists really sting. I still have one more interview to go and Im still waiting to hear from Touro Nevada, but should I be worried?

 

[rbolt25]

I would be - eat a peice of humble pie and stop thinking your application is great - it may be good but dobt come off cocky to an interviewer...I would think 3 waitlists at this point is something more than just coincidence.

 

[chizledfrmstone]

It could be a big coincidence.

How are your interviewing skills?

 

[thatguy101]

I do not come off as over confident, however I do believe that I have a good application, otherwise I doubt I would have received 5 interviews. NOVA has gone crazy this year. Last count over on the NOVA thread (and from people from my group I talk to who do not go on SDN) its 30\5 wait listed accepted. Thats a big turn around from last year. LECOM and PBL are not for me so Im not surprised nor concerned about that wait list. Campbell though did sting a little. I thought I had great interviews, but they emphasized their mission statement about training doctors to serve NC. Im not from NC or that region nor do I have family there (which they did ask) so I believe that could have affected the result.I believe my Touro interview went very well. Loved the school and the faculty. Had a great interview, me and my interviewers laughed on several occasions. idk I received 2 of these wait lists in the last 3 days so it has hit me hard 🙁

 

[thatguy101]

I believe my interview skills are good. Im a very personable guy and I have to talk to strangers every day at my job. After my second interview I felt much more confident about myself and my communication skills. Im hoping its a coincidence at this point. Im just really nervous.

 

[Back 5]

I have had 3 interviews already, 7 total interview invites up to this point. 1 rejection and 2 WL.

I am not cocky or arrogant during my interviews. I demonstrate passion for what I do, passion for my patients, and a strong desire to get back to school. I have no doubt I will be able to handle the coursework and I say that I am confident I will succeed in school if given the opportunity.

I am now scared out of my wits end.

I hope I can pull it together for my marathon interview session starting next Saturday.

 

[thatguy101]

I feel your pain Back 5 :/ I still have three secondaries out so Im hoping I get at least one more. Touro wont release acceptances unit Oct. 18 🙁 I cant afford to wait that long. May be applying to other schools, if anything just to calm myself down lol.

 

[scarecrow90]

Be patient. Whatever's meant to be will happen. 😉

 

[binderring]

I do not come off as over confident, however I do believe that I have a good application, otherwise I doubt I would have received 5 interviews. NOVA has gone crazy this year. Last count over on the NOVA thread (and from people from my group I talk to who do not go on SDN) its 30\5 wait listed accepted. Thats a big turn around from last year. LECOM and PBL are not for me so Im not surprised nor concerned about that wait list. Campbell though did sting a little. I thought I had great interviews, but they emphasized their mission statement about training doctors to serve NC. Im not from NC or that region nor do I have family there (which they did ask) so I believe that could have affected the result.I believe my Touro interview went very well. Loved the school and the faculty. Had a great interview, me and my interviewers laughed on several occasions. idk I received 2 of these wait lists in the last 3 days so it has hit me hard 🙁

It's still early on in the cycle. Stay positive!

 

[Postictal Raiden]

Some would consider 3 wait lists to be a good thing. If your chances to come off any given wait list is 20% (made up number), your chances of getting an acceptance at any of these schools is about 50%. Not bad.

Just reflect on what went wrong during each interview, and remember you weren't perfect, and try to improve.

BTW, I was waitlisted at Nova as well. I'm upset about it, but trying to be positive.

 

[Escape_Goat]

Be patient. Whatever's meant to be will happen. 😉

Nope. Don't rely on fate or destiny to get you there.

If you think your outcomes are more than coincidence, start analyzing how you present yourself to the interviewers.

 

[scarecrow90]

Nope. Don't rely on fate or destiny to get you there.

If you think your outcomes are more than coincidence, start analyzing how you present yourself to the interviewers.

One can over analyze things and increase anxiety. Self-reflection? Okay, that's all well in good, but in the end, whatever is going to happen will happen. The consequences of how the OP has already behaved in interviews have already been set in motion, nothing s/he can do about that now. S/he can change behavior for future interviews, although that may or may not be beneficial.

 

[thatguy101]

Some would consider 3 wait lists to be a good thing. If your chances to come off any given wait list is 20% (made up number), your chances of getting an acceptance at any of these schools is about 50%. Not bad.

Just reflect on what went wrong during each interview, and remember you weren't perfect, and try to improve.

BTW, I was waitlisted at Nova as well. I'm upset about it, but trying to be positive.

I couldn't believe I was wait listed there either. I'm in state and I'm very competitive for NOVA.

 

[alakermsu23]

interviews basically are purely about being yourself. if you are offered an interview, it means you are academically qualified for that particular university, and now they want to see if you are able to talk about yourself and your accomplishments with humility.You cannot psyche yourself out before an interview!! If you are able to relax, then you are able to speak about your accomplishments, your passions and why you are truly ready to take the next step. Interviews, don't get me wrong, can be veryyyy stressful, but if you are able calm yourself it will show to the interviewers. Smile, answer appropriately, stay on task and enjoy yourself!!

 

[MedSchoolMama]

It is really early in the interview season and an alternate spot is not a bad thing. I understand that it might feel that way right now. There will be a lot of movement over the next few months. Obviously you have a good application because you have the invites, now it is up to you to capitalize on those invites.

For whatever reason these schools waitlisted you. Don't let that dissuade you from showing your best side on the other interviews!

Also, sometimes these things happen for a reason, the right school may just be waiting for you!! Best of luck in the rest of the season!!

 

[FrkyBgStok]

As someone who has interviewed candidates, I would say that you are a horrible judge at determining how you come across. Not you specifically, it is just that we are horrible judges of ourselves. Interviewers pay attention to a lot more than you think. For example, if you go on and on in your interview about primary care desires and you really sell it, but all your shadowing has been with ortho surg, you are probably going to have a hard time because we don't believe you. If you say you handle stress well yet you are obviously nervous, it raises concerns.

 

[coolingglasses]

As someone who has interviewed candidates, I would say that you are a horrible judge at determining how you come across. Not you specifically, it is just that we are horrible judges of ourselves. Interviewers pay attention to a lot more than you think. For example, if you go on and on in your interview about primary care desires and you really sell it, but all your shadowing has been with ortho surg, you are probably going to have a hard time because we don't believe you. If you say you handle stress well yet you are obviously nervous, it raises concerns.

Yeah, I always wondered about that. Talked about PC a lot but 70% of my shadowing was with cardiology. Which is funny, because I have little interest in doing that fellowship. I can only guess that what helped was detailing a shadowing experience with a cardiologist that was very primary care-like.

Anyway, yeah, I agree. People are typically going to either be their kindest or worst critic and, while this all could be coincidence, you might want a second opinion on your interview skills.

 

[FrkyBgStok]

Yeah, I always wondered about that. Talked about PC a lot but 70% of my shadowing was with cardiology. Which is funny, because I have little interest in doing that fellowship. I can only guess that what helped was detailing a shadowing experience with a cardiologist that was very primary care-like.

Anyway, yeah, I agree. People are typically going to either be their kindest or worst critic and, while this all could be coincidence, you might want a second opinion on your interview skills.

Don't let it worry you too much. If you say it is definitely something you are considering and play that angle, you should be ok. It is amazing how many people tailor their apps to ortho or neurosurg (research in a Chicago surgery center, only shadow surgeons, etc.) and they say in the interview "oh I definitely want to do rural primary care." Bull.

 

[coolingglasses]

Don't let it worry you too much. If you say it is definitely something you are considering and play that angle, you should be ok. It is amazing how many people tailor their apps to ortho or neurosurg (research in a Chicago surgery center, only shadow surgeons, etc.) and they say in the interview "oh I definitely want to do rural primary care." Bull.

Oh, I'm already in school lol. It never came up in interviews and I think the majority of my ECs covered me, so yeah I guess it wasn't a big deal

 

[thatguy101]

I wonder is it ok to email admissions and ask if they can give me any info on why I was wait listed?

 

[Oo Cipher oO]

I couldn't believe I was wait listed there either. I'm in state and I'm very competitive for NOVA.

Did you keep on referring to the school as NOVA in your emails with the school administration? I'd waitlist you for not knowing how correctly write the name of the university (NSU or Nova).

But if you are as competitive on paper as you say you are then either your interviews have not gone so well or there is a red flag on your application that you don't know about. Is there by chance a less than flattering LOR? That happened to me and it nearly tanked my application.

 

[Goro]

I'd normally say that all you need is one acceptance, but with a number of wait lists already, either your interview skills are lacking, something in your stats is worht mertiing an interview, but not an acceptance (yet), OR you have a significant red flag. Any IAs? Felonies? Multiple misdemeanors?

So I had 5 interviews so far this year. I applied early and I believe I have a great application. However I have received 3 wait lists so far this year. One from LECOM B (which I honestly don't care I wasn't a fan of the school), another from NOVA which seems to be on a wait listing binge this year, and one from Campbell. As stated before I don't care about lecom, but the Campbell and NOVA wait lists really sting. I still have one more interview to go and Im still waiting to hear from Touro Nevada, but should I be worried?

 

[justletmeinplz2]

Honestly, I would not worry about it too much. If u were not a fan of lecom b, it prob showed during your interview, which explained why you got wait-listed.

NOVA has been crazy this year. Many applicants that I know who have interesting/ strong applications as well as interview skills were put on the wait list.

So technically, you only have one wait list, which is the one from Campbell.

 

[tripl3s3v3n]

I suggest doing a mock interview and record yourself answering the questions. You might surprise yourself with what you see or hear. Maybe run it by some honest friends to see if they pick up on anything you don't or they physicians you shadowed.

 

[SD3321]

I am 2 for 2 in interviews and I am pretty much your average run of the mill applicant. Average stats, average ecs. Never take the interview lightly I credit my interviews to giving me the final push in. All I can say is always stay humble and good things will happen to you.

 

[asykes]

What does your application look like?

 

[CarlosDanger]

something I've learned in this process is that the interview is still only part of your application. When adcoms meet to decide on you, they are going to go back and re-look at grades, MCAT, letters, experiences, and interview is a huge part of that but only just a part. Some schools probably emphasize the interview more than others, but realize that a lot of people who do get interviews still have a tough road because maybe something else in their app is less than stellar. Don't get me wrong, I'm in this same boat too - but this time around I'm trying to see through all the bullcrap like, "oh, we feel that everyone we interview is qualified to be here, and we want to sell you our school, please please come, blah blah." Its true to a point, and chances are that if you do interview you are prepared to do the work and become a doctor, but interviews aren't always the nail in the coffin, more like one side of the coffin....bad metaphor? Anyways, early interviews are good and wait lists - especially if you can get on the front end of the wait list - are good. I think you'll be ok. Don't give up!

 

[darklabel]

something I've learned in this process is that the interview is still only part of your application. When adcoms meet to decide on you, they are going to go back and re-look at grades, MCAT, letters, experiences, and interview is a huge part of that but only just a part. Some schools probably emphasize the interview more than others, but realize that a lot of people who do get interviews still have a tough road because maybe something else in their app is less than stellar. Don't get me wrong, I'm in this same boat too - but this time around I'm trying to see through all the bullcrap like, "oh, we feel that everyone we interview is qualified to be here, and we want to sell you our school, please please come, blah blah." Its true to a point, and chances are that if you do interview you are prepared to do the work and become a doctor, but interviews aren't always the nail in the coffin, more like one side of the coffin....bad metaphor? Anyways, early interviews are good and wait lists - especially if you can get on the front end of the wait list - are good. I think you'll be ok. Don't give up!

Well everyone who they interviewed are qualified for their school. Why would a school waste their time and yours if they didn't see you matriculating at all? I just don't see the point and I disagree that a school would interview people they would never matriculate. Medical schools get plenty of good applicants that they can be choosy so if you're picked there has to be something that made an adcom want to interview you further.

If I remember correctly, a study was done that MCAT/GPA are most important pre-interview and the other stuff becomes more important after an interview. Getting an interview means they think you can handle the school, curriculum and you had something they liked, but if you are on the iffy side, the interview can be an opportunity help push you over the edge.

OP I would work on interviews. I have personally seen it help push applicants over the edge and destroy applications. You just have to make sure to really sell yourself.

 

[CarlosDanger]

Its not that they don't see you matriculating at all, your taking what I'm saying to an extreme. They know you can get it done, and could succeed, but in the end the interview is still just part of the whole application. I agree that a GREAT interview can push you over the edge, and I think a bad or even mediocre interview can hurt you. I'm just saying that at the end of the day, the school wants its MCAT/GPA average to be maintained or to go up. Sure, Harvard interviews kids with a 30. At the same time, theres no pretending that those kids are on the same playing field as the kid with a 39. The 30 is going to need a KICKASS interview to get in. And many can deliver that because they are interesting, thoughtful, dynamic people.

I'm just a re-applicant who has been around this too long, and I'm admittedly too cynical about the process. To help the OP, just a couple things that have helped me were to do a mock interview with another physician who is familiar with admissions. This could be hard for some people, but really helped me - just find someone to do a mock interview. I also try to make sure I really sell to the adcom that I want to be at their school, and that its a top choice for because of X and Y reasons. Maybe they just don't think you're invested enough in the school. Even if you're not from North Carolina, never been there, don't have an opinion on the Duke/UNC game, don't really care about staying post-graduation, try and dig deep and convince them that their school is the best thing since sliced bread.

 

[darklabel]

Its not that they don't see you matriculating at all, your taking what I'm saying to an extreme. They know you can get it done, and could succeed, but in the end the interview is still just part of the whole application. I agree that a GREAT interview can push you over the edge, and I think a bad or even mediocre interview can hurt you. I'm just saying that at the end of the day, the school wants its MCAT/GPA average to be maintained or to go up. Sure, Harvard interviews kids with a 30. At the same time, theres no pretending that those kids are on the same playing field as the kid with a 39. The 30 is going to need a KICKASS interview to get in. And many can deliver that because they are interesting, thoughtful, dynamic people.

I'm just a re-applicant who has been around this too long, and I'm admittedly too cynical about the process. To help the OP, just a couple things that have helped me were to do a mock interview with another physician who is familiar with admissions. This could be hard for some people, but really helped me - just find someone to do a mock interview. I also try to make sure I really sell to the adcom that I want to be at their school, and that its a top choice for because of X and Y reasons. Maybe they just don't think you're invested enough in the school. Even if you're not from North Carolina, never been there, don't have an opinion on the Duke/UNC game, don't really care about staying post-graduation, try and dig deep and convince them that their school is the best thing since sliced bread.

I agree with you, but I think the 30 MCAT guy and 39 MCAT thing is up to debate. Adcoms each look for a variety of stuff and for some there's no difference between 30 and 39 since maybe they push for primary care and a 30 MCAT shows you can pass the boards, which is enough but the 30 MCAT has the ECs and direction they're looking for so maybe a kick ass interview isn't necessary?

Idk, its a tough debate, but what I do know is getting an interview is the toughest screen to get through.

 

[CarlosDanger]

True, who knows. Getting interviews is great and the biggest hurdle for sure