WashU decision dates, adcom meetings

[FujiApple]

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How long should I wait before I start worrying about my letter being lost in the mail? 🙄

Actually, there is a precedent for my worry... my interview invite letter never reached me. I didn't even know I was invited until I got an email asking if I still wanted to go!

 

[chowsi]

How long should I wait before I start worrying about my letter being lost in the mail? 🙄

Actually, there is a precedent for my worry... my interview invite letter never reached me. I didn't even know I was invited until I got an email asking if I still wanted to go!

you can try calling, but I bet you will get the same response "you'll receive a decision by April 15th"...take my experience for instance, I called on March 19th to inquire about my status and even though my thriver was dated the 15th, they still told me to wait for the letter. So it wouldn't hurt to call, but at the same time they may just tell you to wait. Hope this helps.

 

[xylem29]

How long should I wait before I start worrying about my letter being lost in the mail? 🙄

Actually, there is a precedent for my worry... my interview invite letter never reached me. I didn't even know I was invited until I got an email asking if I still wanted to go!

well - if there is a precedent, then you should call and explain urself, that way they may be more helpful than just giving the ol' wait till april 15 line.

 

[FujiApple]

Anybody have the number? I couldn't find it on the website... I found this one in my emails: 314-362-4658 but it is a fax.

 

[xylem29]

Anybody have the number? I couldn't find it on the website... I found this one in my emails: 314-362-4658 but it is a fax.

314-362-6858

 

[FujiApple]

thanks for the number! They were nice enough to tell me that I was placed on the waitlist, and a letter was sent on the 16th. I guess it did get lost in the mail. Oy.

 

[chowsi]

thanks for the number! They were nice enough to tell me that I was placed on the waitlist, and a letter was sent on the 16th. I guess it did get lost in the mail. Oy.

make sure you told them you want to stay on the waitlist too...since there's this form we are supposed to fill out and return stating our intention to stay on it.

 

[FujiApple]

make sure you told them you want to stay on the waitlist too...since there's this form we are supposed to fill out and return stating our intention to stay on it.

Yup, sent them an email, and already received the confirmation. That was fast! Thanks for your help and support guys!

 

[Darkshooter326]

how do they randomly pick a person off of the waitlist to offer an acceptance to?

Does anyone think that your response to the "I plan to apply for financial aid" question on the waitlist form plays a role in their decision?

 

[chowsi]

Does anyone think that your response to the "I plan to apply for financial aid" question on the waitlist form plays a role in their decision?

doubt it, but I'm an international applicant and I gotta pony up the 250-260k...I wish I could apply for FA

during my interview they talked about some merit-based fullride scholarships...AND international studs can apply...now only if I could get in...

 

[xylem29]

doubt it, but I'm an international applicant and I gotta pony up the 250-260k...I wish I could apply for FA

during my interview they talked about some merit-based fullride scholarships...AND international studs can apply...now only if I could get in...

hey me too man! ru from canada?

 

[chowsi]

hey me too man! ru from canada?

haha...i have residency at canada but i've been studying in the states for 10+ years. Speaking of international studs, I remember speaking with the FA officer and she told me annually Wash U interviews about 50 of us, and about 4-5 make it each year...hey, i hope we both make it

 

[KardiacKiehl]

doubt it, but I'm an international applicant and I gotta pony up the 250-260k...I wish I could apply for FA

during my interview they talked about some merit-based fullride scholarships...AND international studs can apply...now only if I could get in...

I hate to break it to you, but all the merit-based, full-ride scholarships will definitely be already given out way before they even get to the waitlist (they have like a scholarship weekend in March). Furthermore, very little merit-based money will remain for waitlisted candidates, and actually chances are even available need-based scholarship money will be less plentiful (higher % of loans). I think it's just one of the huge drawbacks of the waitlist. Both my girlfriend and like all of the other friends of hers who got off the waitlist basically got all loans. However, Wash U is generally good about remedying that in years 2-4.

 

[chowsi]

I hate to break it to you, but all the merit-based, full-ride scholarships will definitely be already given out way before they even get to the waitlist (they have like a scholarship weekend in March). Furthermore, very little merit-based money will remain for waitlisted candidates, and actually chances are even available need-based scholarship money will be less plentiful (higher % of loans). I think it's just one of the huge drawbacks of the waitlist. Both my girlfriend and like all of the other friends of hers who got off the waitlist basically got all loans. However, Wash U is generally good about remedying that in years 2-4.

bummer. but scholarships would only be icing on the cake.
me crave cake 😀

 

[KardiacKiehl]

bummer. but scholarships would only be icing on the cake.
me crave cake 😀

Yea, I mean with such a huge waitlist, Wash U is really the one holding all the cards. From a financial standpoint, they don't really have to guarantee jack and they could still fill all their spots. Oh, well ...

 

[Hednej]

Hey guys, I just realized something about the waitlist and why it's unranked.
Most of these schools with huge waitlists keep so many people on because let's say a guy with X & Y characteristics withdraws, then the adcom finds somebody with X & Y characteristics from the waitlist to replace the waitlist.
At least I know this is what they do at Duke.

 

[hawkeyepeirce]

I was told something similar during my visit to WashU.

 

[xylem29]

Hey guys, I just realized something about the waitlist and why it's unranked.
Most of these schools with huge waitlists keep so many people on because let's say a guy with X & Y characteristics withdraws, then the adcom finds somebody with X & Y characteristics from the waitlist to replace the waitlist.
At least I know this is what they do at Duke.

Do you think that being Canadian is considered a characteristic - which basically means I'll get off the list if another Canadian withdraws? This is very interesting... ahem...where's omegaxx 😀

 

[omegaxx]

Do you think that being Canadian is considered a characteristic - which basically means I'll get off the list if another Canadian withdraws? This is very interesting... ahem...where's omegaxx 😀

I wouldn't be very surprised if we are put in a whole new category, i.e. the beer-drinking-hockey-watching-tree-hugging-beaver-hunting-igloo-building bunch

 

[Falco2525]

well i went ahead and withdrew from WashU...they said I was on the waitlist too but my letter got returned to them for some reason...I decided that Chicago was a better fit for me anyway...best of luck to you all waiting to hear from WashU its a great school

 

[xylem29]

well i went ahead and withdrew from WashU...they said I was on the waitlist too but my letter got returned to them for some reason...I decided that Chicago was a better fit for me anyway...best of luck to you all waiting to hear from WashU its a great school

wow man - that's it eh? good luck with ur medical career as u've just started it off on the right foot 👍

i did think that u would've stayed on and tried to get off the list?

 

[excalibre]

Yup, I'm also a Canadian that got the 'thrive' letter a few days ago. What's up Xylem29? I'm guessing the both of us like to carry those screen names through to other forums as well, eh?

(lol @ my self for saying 'eh' like a true Canuck)

 

[xylem29]

Yup, I'm also a Canadian that got the 'thrive' letter a few days ago. What's up Xylem29? I'm guessing the both of us like to carry those screen names through to other forums as well, eh?

(lol @ my self for saying 'eh' like a true Canuck)

yup lol...notice in my post above urs i also used "eh". but one thing i've noticed is that - the way you and i have just used it, is not how it is stereotypically used - some people actually use "eh" the stereotypical way...and it's funny!!

 

[excalibre]

Really? I thought that was the true Canuck way. I need to read up more on our stereotypes. Time to watch some SCTV.

It's funny because I had to explain this 'eh' thing to some WUSM students, and they were confused, because adding 'eh' to the end of a sentance makes it into a rhetorical question of sorts. "Nice weather eh?" "Maggie sure likes maple syrup on her flap jacks eh?" or "Some guy tried to sqeeze in beside me at the bar, but I need to order some Keith's eh, so I told him to 'take off, hoser'..."

Noh-dood-aboot it

 

[xylem29]

Really? I thought that was the true Canuck way. I need to read up more on our stereotypes. Time to watch some SCTV.

It's funny because I had to explain this 'eh' thing to some WUSM students, and they were confused, because adding 'eh' to the end of a sentance makes it into a rhetorical question of sorts. "Nice weather eh?" "Maggie sure likes maple syrup on her flap jacks eh?" or "Some guy tried to sqeeze in beside me at the bar, but I need to order some Keith's eh, so I told him to 'take off, hoser'..."

Noh-dood-aboot it

No dude - it's no different from "Nice weather huh?".

And that is not "canadian" per se, but newfoundlander...

Ok - here's the best example, you know that lame show train48? there's this one character - the white guy with a trucker hat and a huge mustache, the way he uses "eh" and the way he talks is the stereotyped way...now, if you listen to the way he talks, I doubt you would find that you also speak like that...most people I know don't speak like that, but I have heard a few people (mostly at airports and at hotels and stuff - canadian ones) that do, and boy, it's like...."oh! these are the real canadians eh!". lol

 

[excalibre]

I would never watch Train 48 - though I have been taking the GO train everyday for 7 months now.

So, I don't get it. How is my use not the true Canadian way? You gotta give me an example. But I know exactly what you mean when you say you've seen the real deal at donut joints and hotels.

 

[xylem29]

I would never watch Train 48 - though I have been taking the GO train everyday for 7 months now.

So, I don't get it. How is my use not the true Canadian way? You gotta give me an example. But I know exactly what you mean when you say you've seen the real deal at donut joints and hotels.

lemme think...okay, i think the best example is this - we use "eh" when we ask a question...like "she's pretty smart eh?"/"tough test eh?"/"it's cold eh?"

And it'd be no different from "she's pretty smart huh?"

At least, I do.

The stereotyped way, or the true canadian way - they use "eh" as part of their statement...they are not asking a question. the best way to show you is in person b/c there's a difference in the tone of voice b/w the way I use "eh" (which is the same as how ppl use "huh") and the stereotyped way...do you ever watch royal canadian air farce? They've got some good stereotyped characters in there too.

 

[xylem29]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3H5hKZznc14

There's a good one....

 

[sona1128]

Did you recieve an email confirmation that your waitlist reply form was recieved?

 

[sona1128]

Did you recieve an email confirmation that your waitlist reply form was recieved?

 

[excalibre]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3H5hKZznc14

There's a good one....

lol, that is a good one xylem.

I know what you mean, eh, but it's still a question. That's why I said it's rhetorical. It's like a question, but not really. I think we are thinking the same thing here. Look back at my quote where I mention Keith's Indian Pale Ale, and you'll see I used a statement with 'eh'. And interestingly there is a wiki article on 'eh' - it's insightful.

We hijacked this forum for sure. It's the Canadian way, like how we've been subverting the media in the U.S. for years now. Hosers.

 

[excalibre]

Did you recieve an email confirmation that your waitlist reply form was recieved?

Yes. They sent it the following day by email.

 

[etngu]

I know the waitlist is pretty big, but do any of you have any insights on how big it really is??

 

[xylem29]

Well - we can estimate.

If they interview about 1100 people, and make about 240 offers of acceptances, then that's about 870 people not getting the initial offers. The upper limit would be, that everyone is waitlisted - so 870 students.

But we already know of a few people being rejected outright - so let's assume, that about 200 students are rejected post-interview (which seems like a lot, considering how almost everyone on SDN has been waitlisted) and that would still leave us with 670 students on the waiting list...from which only 50 will be offered an acceptance.

I have a feeling though, that 200 post-interview rejections is an overestimate and that almost everyone is waitlisted.

 

[excalibre]

I have a feeling though, that 200 post-interview rejections is an overestimate and that almost everyone is waitlisted.

Hey xylem,
I think 200 is probably close to the upper number of rejections they give out. However, I don't think you should be too pessimistic bud, because people previously posted that a lot of the interviewees are in the low 30 range MCAT (30-33). I guess those unlucky bunch won't have as good a chance as you with a 35 (which really falls into a much higher percentile than 30 or 33).

Anyways, I'm rooting for us Canucks. If we both get accepted, we can bring down some Canadian stuff and fill up a storage closet of Moose Head, Canadian or Keiths. And also some Tim Horton's. We'll sport some toques.

Question though, what's an LOI - I'm assuming Letter of Intent. But what exactly is that? Is it like writing back and telling them how you desperately would love to go to their school?

 

[HumbleMD]

Hey xylem,
I think 200 is probably close to the upper number of rejections they give out. However, I don't think you should be too pessimistic bud, because people previously posted that a lot of the interviewees are in the low 30 range MCAT (30-33). I guess those unlucky bunch won't have as good a chance as you with a 35 (which really falls into a much higher percentile than 30 or 33).

Anyways, I'm rooting for us Canucks. If we both get accepted, we can bring down some Canadian stuff and fill up a storage closet of Moose Head, Canadian or Keiths. And also some Tim Horton's. We'll sport some toques.

Question though, what's an LOI - I'm assuming Letter of Intent. But what exactly is that? Is it like writing back and telling them how you desperately would love to go to their school?

Letter of interest is what you just described. A letter of intent states you would withdraw from all other schools and attend WashU if given an acceptance (shows commitment). It's only to be written if you would attend even if given a full-ride and stipend from your other schools (or if you know for a fact that you haven't). And btw, we have Tim Horton's in Michigan. For some reason they seem to have an intimate connection with Wendy's.

 

[p9142]

Well - we can estimate.

If they interview about 1100 people, and make about 240 offers of acceptances, then that's about 870 people not getting the initial offers. The upper limit would be, that everyone is waitlisted - so 870 students.

But we already know of a few people being rejected outright - so let's assume, that about 200 students are rejected post-interview (which seems like a lot, considering how almost everyone on SDN has been waitlisted) and that would still leave us with 670 students on the waiting list...from which only 50 will be offered an acceptance.

I have a feeling though, that 200 post-interview rejections is an overestimate and that almost everyone is waitlisted.

Are you sure that only 50 are offered an acceptance, or that 50 take the acceptance? My guess is that later in the year it is harder to get people to come to your school because those people are probably more or less set.

 

[chowsi]

Are you sure that only 50 are offered an acceptance, or that 50 take the acceptance? My guess is that later in the year it is harder to get people to come to your school because those people are probably more or less set.

Yeah I second this, there should be more offers than 50...it's a lot to ask for all 50 people on the wait list to accept those offers. Closer to 75? Just a guess.

 

[excalibre]

Yes, the letter specifically states 50 additional offers:

"While I am currently unable to offer you a place in the 2007 first year class, I expect to make at least 50 additional offers of acceptance before the class convenes in mid-august. If you wish to remain a candidate for one of these positions, please complete the enclosed form."

The letter goes on to say something about *thriving* at WashU, and has become known as the covetted *THRIVE* letter.

However, I should mention that previous posters wrote that first 180 acceptances are given for 120 seats and that all other candidates are waitlisted or rejected until things start to move in April-May. So supposedly they already have given out more offers than seats.

 

[xylem29]

Hey xylem,
I think 200 is probably close to the upper number of rejections they give out. However, I don't think you should be too pessimistic bud, because people previously posted that a lot of the interviewees are in the low 30 range MCAT (30-33). I guess those unlucky bunch won't have as good a chance as you with a 35 (which really falls into a much higher percentile than 30 or 33).

Anyways, I'm rooting for us Canucks. If we both get accepted, we can bring down some Canadian stuff and fill up a storage closet of Moose Head, Canadian or Keiths. And also some Tim Horton's. We'll sport some toques.

Question though, what's an LOI - I'm assuming Letter of Intent. But what exactly is that? Is it like writing back and telling them how you desperately would love to go to their school?

Their average for last year was like a 36.6 - which puts me below their average, quite shocking I know! I'm quite amazed that despite my 35, I feel like a failure after learning what the MCAT scores are of people who get into WashU and the other top schools are like...mind boggling. Anway, about the toques - I seen em down there I don't think they're called toques though...as for Tim's, they should open more down there, since there's so many Starbucks up here!

If you are in the new england region - like vermont and new hampshire, you're pretty much in canada since there is a lot of evergreens, pick-up hockey, snow, and maple syrup there. but yea, in the midwest...it's quite different - best thing to do, is to get some pirated satellite so they can see how lame canadian television can be!

You know what i'm wondering - I'm wondering if WashU only hands out a certain amount of acceptances to international students and that's it. Like, if you are international - you either get in the first time, or that's it - everyone who gets in off the waitlist is a US citizen/perm resident. If all the international students who get accepted withdraw, then their spot goes to US applicants. Just wondering...

 

[omegaxx]

Their average for last year was like a 36.6 - which puts me below their average, quite shocking I know! I'm quite amazed that despite my 35, I feel like a failure after learning what the MCAT scores are of people who get into WashU and the other top schools are like...mind boggling. Anway, about the toques - I seen em down there I don't think they're called toques though...as for Tim's, they should open more down there, since there's so many Starbucks up here!

If you are in the new england region - like vermont and new hampshire, you're pretty much in canada since there is a lot of evergreens, pick-up hockey, snow, and maple syrup there. but yea, in the midwest...it's quite different - best thing to do, is to get some pirated satellite so they can see how lame canadian television can be!

You know what i'm wondering - I'm wondering if WashU only hands out a certain amount of acceptances to international students and that's it. Like, if you are international - you either get in the first time, or that's it - everyone who gets in off the waitlist is a US citizen/perm resident. If all the international students who get accepted withdraw, then their spot goes to US applicants. Just wondering...

Nope. A friend of mine (Canadian citizen) got pulled off the wait list on May 15th last year. She turned down the offer eventually, but just to let you know that you are still in the game.

 

[xylem29]

Nope. A friend of mine (Canadian citizen) got pulled off the wait list on May 15th last year. She turned down the offer eventually, but just to let you know that you are still in the game.

whew...

 

[excalibre]

Well, I am not entirely sure, but I think international students like us are reviewed by the 'diversity' sub-adcom. I think that if another international/diverse person drops out that they will usually offer that spot to another international/diverse student. Like I said, I'm not 100% on this but that was the impression I got after my interview.

 

[xylem29]

Well, I am not entirely sure, but I think international students like us are reviewed by the 'diversity' sub-adcom. I think that if another international/diverse person drops out that they will usually offer that spot to another international/diverse student. Like I said, I'm not 100% on this but that was the impression I got after my interview.

That's kinda weird - I was told that our subcommittee was the CA, Alaska, and Canada committee. In the US, I've learned that whenever they use the word diverse student, they mean black/hispanic/aborginal - so I don't see why we'd be interchangable with them (unless we are one of these three), if their goal was to have a "diverse" student that is.

I'm quite certain that WashU doesn't have a shortage of well qualified diverse applicants waiting on the list so I think that if black/hispanic/aborginal student withdraws --> then another one is taken from the list. So for us, we'll only be pulled off if other international students withdraw.

 

[omegaxx]

Well, I am not entirely sure, but I think international students like us are reviewed by the 'diversity' sub-adcom. I think that if another international/diverse person drops out that they will usually offer that spot to another international/diverse student. Like I said, I'm not 100% on this but that was the impression I got after my interview.

My 2nd interview was with Dr. Ross, the diversity subcommittee chair, if this contributes to the discussion at all...

 

[excalibre]

In the US, I've learned that whenever they use the word diverse student, they mean black/hispanic/aborginal

That is the definition - appartently congress has to pass a bill for your ethnicity to be considered diverse and those I think are the three underrepresented groups.

But, as omegaxxx's interview suggests, and from what I remember hearing, it seems as though the diversity committee reviews the international applications.

 

[excalibre]

omegaxxx's

Oops, I made you Rated R. I meant omegaxx.

 

[omegaxx]

Oops, I made you Rated R. I meant omegaxx.

I call this a Freudian slip😉

 

[JohnMadden]

Now that schools can see where all their applicants have been accepted, do you think the chances of acceptance are increased/decreased based on where you've been accepted?

 

[HumbleMD]

Now that schools can see where all their applicants have been accepted, do you think the chances of acceptance are increased/decreased based on where you've been accepted?

When was the official date that they could see all of this?