Waitlisted at JHU

[tomjr]

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I got the word from JHU yesterday.... its the waitlist for me....

... Rationally, I'm not too bummed, I mean, schools of that ilk are long shots for nearly everyone, and I'm definately honored to be in the running. In the gut, though, I'm dissapointed b/c I always love storybook endings.

Anyhoo, just wanted to see if anyone else is playing/has played the waitlist game at Hopkins... should I start the letter per week barrage?🙄

Do they traditionally take a sigfnificant amount off the waitlist?

Man, I'm reeling..... my first two responses were acceptances, since then its been three rejections and a waitlist. Time for the good news quotient to get back up!! ::winks at Columbia:: (just kidding, I'm totally excited about my two accepts, but you still feel bummed when the rejections come rolling in)

cheers,

Tom

 

[dr.jeddah]

my friend got waitlisted and when i asked him he had told me that its useless because nearly no one declines a position at JHU. he actually told me he was rejected at first

 

[tianmom]

When did you interview at JHU? Still waiting to hear from them. I thought Dr. White said an average of 30-40 would come off the wait list each year, unless it's a really bad year. 😡

 

[VienneseWaltz]

dr. jeddah--

Your friend is absolutely wrong. I spoke with a number of students at JHU who got in off the waitlist. It varies--there have been years where almost no one else got in, and in some years 60 came off the list. If your friend was told he was in the bottom 3rd, then yes, it's a rejection, but the people in the top 3rd have an excellent chance of getting in according to JHU Admissions.

People who get into Hopkins also probably got into places like Penn, Harvard, Duke, Wash U, etc. They can't matriculate at all of them, and the financial aid package can be the deciding factor in that kind of situation.

Tell 'em you want 'em, tomjr!

 

[dr.jeddah]

good point....he didnt tell me that they can tell u about which 3rd ur in

 

[doepug]

Sorry to hear about being waitlisted.

The best thing to do is to send letters strategically (i.e., not once a week), updating the adcom on your grades and achievements. If you've gotten any kind of award or distinction since you sent in your AMCAS, let them know.

As has been mentioned, the waitlist is divided into thirds. Historically, applicants have been notified (around April) of which third they're in. People in the top third have a good shot of being admitted. I was in that group. People in the middle and bottom groups are essentially out of luck.

I would send the adcom one (or two, if something dramatic happens) letter to let them know everything that's happened in the last year, including your grades and anything that someone might find interesting. Don't forget to mention your steadfast interest in Hopkins, and above all, don't call it "John" Hopkins.

Best of luck,

doepug
MS III, Johns Hopkins

 

[khan]

Thanks for clarifying on how Hopkins waitlist work. I had one follow-up question. Do they tell you which one 1/3 wait list you belong to?

 

[VienneseWaltz]

They told us at interview that yes, we would be told which third we are in. Bottom third: no way. Middle third: probably should make other plans. Top third: pretty good chance of getting in.

 

[Wednesday]

They don't tell you your tier right away, but will send you that information later. (Maybe around March or April? Can't remember exactly). At that point they just reject the people who end up in the bottom tier and let the other's know if they're in the first or second.

Good luck to you! And remember, even if you don't end up at Hopkins (and you really, really wanted to) you can be VERY HAPPY where you do end up. I am!

 

[VienneseWaltz]

My decision date is 2nd week of March. I guess they are telling everyone then, which happens to coincide with my interview group's first correspondence on the matter ... Sorry, I thought they were telling everyone already. Makes sense that they have to wait until interviews are done, though.

 

[NineSixteen]

Originally posted by tianmom
When did you interview at JHU? Still waiting to hear from them. I thought Dr. White said an average of 30-40 would come off the wait list each year, unless it's a really bad year. 😡

Tee hee...then the current first year class is a bad year if that's true 🙂 I don't have actual figures, but talking to my classmates it seems that about half of our class (~60) is from the waitlist. I would definitely not sweat it if you are on the list - there's a good chance that you'll be in Baltimore in September. I know it's no fun, but just wait and be patient. One of my classmates was all packed up and ready to go to another school and got called by Dean White the week before orientation started! Hang in there, send updates periodically so they have to dig out and dust off your file, but don't give up yet! Good Luck-

 

[khan]

Is "alternate list" the same as 'wait list" ?

 

[liberty]

congratulations on your acceptances! regarding hopkins, i too was waitlisted last year. i received a letter notifying me before graduation that i was in the top tier as did my best friend. i thought they mentioned in it that they didn't want any additional information or letters as opposed to yale where i've heard that writing and calling helps a lot. in any case, neither my friend nor i sent any new information. she was informed at the beginning of june that she was accepted and i found out a few weeks later that i was accepted off the waitlist. last year i think about fifty people might have been called by dean white. in the end my friend ended up going and i did not, so the list kept moving. hopefully it will move for you this year. best of luck and have a great rest of the year! my friend and i partied like it was our bizness senior year after we got into med school and we have so many great memories.

 

[tomjr]

my friend and i partied like it was our bizness senior year after we got into med school and we have so many great memories.

I too partied like a fiend after my first acceptance showed up.... I can't say I remember much of it though

Cheers,

Tom