WashU Waitlist 2006

[G.O.B.]

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As far as commenting on what I thought of the people who I met during my interview:

I absolutely hated it my first day. I was housed in Olin ::shudder::, which had a lovely view out onto some parking structure with lots of construction going on, and I thought to myself...'ahhhh...St. Louis.'

And they didn't have any activities for us to do until the pizza party, where I met some 1st years (and a 7th year MD/PhD student who had lived in Olin for all of 7 years...brave man) who didn't seem that interested in us applicants...I'm pretty sure they came in for the free pizza (a big group of 1st years came in after having completed an IM game, and I think they were just really hungry). They chatted unenthusiastically for about 10-15 minutes and left, and then I went upstairs and thought 'man, if people are like this, I am NOT going to come here.' Although it was kinda nice because I didn't feel stressed about the interview the next day. 🙂

I really liked my 2nd day! The 3rd years who we sat down and chatted with at lunch and our 4th year tour guides were AWESOME! And I think walking around and getting out of Olin really helped lift my spirits too. The 3rd and 4th years were just really excited about the school and were really energetic and friendly, and I thought...'I could definitely see myself out here going to school with these people!'

So yeah...it's funny how your view of a school can change so drastically depending on who you meet and under what circumstances. But all in all, Wash U seems like a great place to be, and there will always be cool people in your class that you'll really click with.

 

[G.O.B.]

Dorm mail here runs incredibly slow, and I just got the waitlist letter a couple days ago and sent it off today... Do you think I missed the deadline for sending it back since y'all already got confirmation emails?

No way, I'm sure if there were an actual deadline, it would have been printed on the letter. I faxed mine in today and got the same confirmation letter that people have been receiving for the past week. No worries! 🙂

 

[ahumdinger]

Okay guys, as promised, I went, I charmed, I probed, and here's what I got:


I went to the admissions office today and talked to the "application status" secretary. I asked two key questions: how many are on the waitlist and why two forms of letters. She first gave me the "I don't know how many because it's always changing" and I asked, "well, from past years, do you have a good estimate? I mean, is it hundreds?" She gestured in a way that I interpreted to mean, "yeah, there's a whole bunch" but then she said, "there's at least 100."

I asked about the two letters, and she said that the waitlist is unranked, but there's some sort of tiering.

then we made a whole bunch of small talk, and I got a few more tidbits out:

1. she says that since the waitlist letters were sent out 2 weeks ago, most responses have come in by now. She had on her desk two piles of reply forms. They were both about 2 inches thick (but these are fluffy inches, since the papers are bent and folded.)

2. the committee is a bit apprehensive about how the class will turn out (size-wise) because they don't know how big of a draw will be due to the new Farrell Learning Center. So this year may not be completely predictable based on years past since the campus is shinier and newer.

3. We speculated a bit on the criteria for the waitlist tiers. She does not know what it is, but it may be based on MCAT. I don't think this is true. But she did say that she's seen students get accepted from both tiers. So let that be relief to some of you!!


I talked to her for like half an hour! But she was really sweet and sincere. I guess the process is equally mysterious to those processing our files!

 

[Gracey103]

Okay guys, as promised, I went, I charmed, I probed, and here's what I got:


I went to the admissions office today and talked to the "application status" secretary. I asked two key questions: how many are on the waitlist and why two forms of letters. She first gave me the "I don't know how many because it's always changing" and I asked, "well, from past years, do you have a good estimate? I mean, is it hundreds?" She gestured in a way that I interpreted to mean, "yeah, there's a whole bunch" but then she said, "there's at least 100."

I asked about the two letters, and she said that the waitlist is unranked, but there's some sort of tiering.

then we made a whole bunch of small talk, and I got a few more tidbits out:

1. she says that since the waitlist letters were sent out 2 weeks ago, most responses have come in by now. She had on her desk two piles of reply forms. They were both about 2 inches thick (but these are fluffy inches, since the papers are bent and folded.)

2. the committee is a bit apprehensive about how the class will turn out (size-wise) because they don't know how big of a draw will be due to the new Farrell Learning Center. So this year may not be completely predictable based on years past since the campus is shinier and newer.

3. We speculated a bit on the criteria for the waitlist tiers. She does not know what it is, but it may be based on MCAT. I don't think this is true. But she did say that she's seen students get accepted from both tiers. So let that be relief to some of you!!


I talked to her for like half an hour! But she was really sweet and sincere. I guess the process is equally mysterious to those processing our files!

Thanks! That was so helpful!. Just one more question...does anyone get straight out rejected after their interview?

 

[stherling]

So yeah...it's funny how your view of a school can change so drastically depending on who you meet and under what circumstances. But all in all, Wash U seems like a great place to be, and there will always be cool people in your class that you'll really click with.

that's funny, I had almost the same experience. I got to Olin (hated it), went to the pizza party, where everyone that I met was painfully unenthusiastic, didn't know anything about the area (granted I suppose they'd only been there a few months), and couldn't describe many activities other than partying. I went back to my room, leafed through the St. Louis Dining guide, noted the lack of a proper Chinatown, and promptly called my boyfriend to tell him that all my nervousness about the interview was gone, because I had absolutely no interest in going there.

Then, the next day I met a bunch of fellow applicants and some MS3/4s who were all a lot of fun. My tour guide had lived in Olin for 4 years and really sold me on the place. I had a great interview, and by the time I was done I was really excited about the place. Strange. 🙂

 

[Dr. Giggles]

Okay guys, as promised, I went, I charmed, I probed, and here's what I got:


I went to the admissions office today and talked to the "application status" secretary. I asked two key questions: how many are on the waitlist and why two forms of letters. She first gave me the "I don't know how many because it's always changing" and I asked, "well, from past years, do you have a good estimate? I mean, is it hundreds?" She gestured in a way that I interpreted to mean, "yeah, there's a whole bunch" but then she said, "there's at least 100."

I asked about the two letters, and she said that the waitlist is unranked, but there's some sort of tiering.

then we made a whole bunch of small talk, and I got a few more tidbits out:

1. she says that since the waitlist letters were sent out 2 weeks ago, most responses have come in by now. She had on her desk two piles of reply forms. They were both about 2 inches thick (but these are fluffy inches, since the papers are bent and folded.)

2. the committee is a bit apprehensive about how the class will turn out (size-wise) because they don't know how big of a draw will be due to the new Farrell Learning Center. So this year may not be completely predictable based on years past since the campus is shinier and newer.

3. We speculated a bit on the criteria for the waitlist tiers. She does not know what it is, but it may be based on MCAT. I don't think this is true. But she did say that she's seen students get accepted from both tiers. So let that be relief to some of you!!


I talked to her for like half an hour! But she was really sweet and sincere. I guess the process is equally mysterious to those processing our files!

Thanks a lot for ferreting that out, ahumdinger.

I indeed believe I would thrive at Wash U, but if the committee makes such judgments based on MCAT scores alone, that's kind of scary.

We might be able to refute that notion if a thriver can be identified who has a lower score than one of the non-thrivers, assuming that the score breakdowns by subject are equally balanced for both candidates.

 

[ahumdinger]

Gracey, I did ask about post-interview rejections, and apparently they did send them out. I don't know how many though. stherling-- though there's no proper Chinatown, the effective Chinatown is on Olive Blvd. There's a significant chinese population in St. Louis, but they just never got together to form an official place. I would guess that it's because most of the chinese in St. Louis are academics and not people who came to stl for entrepreneuring endeavors. Don't let that fool you, there are some great restaurants and St. Louis has incredible diversity and authenticity when it comes to international cuisine!

Dr. Giggle, the reason I don't think it's based on MCAT is that another poster, Chanjurban (sp?) is a reapplicant and got the "thriver" letter last year and the other letter this year. What the secretary told me was just her speculation.

like I said, it seems that applicants from both "tiers" are able to get off the waitlist.

 

[stherling]

ahumdinger -- yes, i've since found out more about the culinary options (in large part from your posts!), which has added to my excitement about moving to st. louis 🙂 I just wish the first years I met had said that when I asked though; they were just like 'uh yeah, there aren't many chinese restaurants around here'... 😛

 

[WenfeiX]

Thanks a lot for ferreting that out, ahumdinger.

I indeed believe I would thrive at Wash U, but if the committee makes such judgments based on MCAT scores alone, that's kind of scary.

We might be able to refute that notion if a thriver can be identified who has a lower score than one of the non-thrivers, assuming that the score breakdowns by subject are equally balanced for both candidates.

One of the things my interviewer said when I asked him what he didn't like about the school was that 'the admissions committee sometimes tends to prefer students with high scores, to the detriment of some more well-rounded students who have shown that they are more than just a couple of numbers.'

I was surprised that he was so candid about it...but I guess he was just telling it like it is! Hopefully they'll look past that this year b/c lord knows I won't get in based on my MCAT score alone... 😱

 

[QofQuimica]

One of the things my interviewer said when I asked him what he didn't like about the school was that 'the admissions committee sometimes tends to prefer students with high scores, to the detriment of some more well-rounded students who have shown that they are more than just a couple of numbers.'

I was surprised that he was so candid about it...but I guess he was just telling it like it is! Hopefully they'll look past that this year b/c lord knows I won't get in based on my MCAT score alone... 😱

Interesting. My interviewer also mentioned that they place a lot of emphasis on MCAT scores.

 

[chanjurban]

Gracey, I did ask about post-interview rejections, and apparently they did send them out. I don't know how many though. stherling-- though there's no proper Chinatown, the effective Chinatown is on Olive Blvd. There's a significant chinese population in St. Louis, but they just never got together to form an official place. I would guess that it's because most of the chinese in St. Louis are academics and not people who came to stl for entrepreneuring endeavors. Don't let that fool you, there are some great restaurants and St. Louis has incredible diversity and authenticity when it comes to international cuisine!

Dr. Giggle, the reason I don't think it's based on MCAT is that another poster, Chanjurban (sp?) is a reapplicant and got the "thriver" letter last year and the other letter this year. What the secretary told me was just her speculation.

like I said, it seems that applicants from both "tiers" are able to get off the waitlist.

Ahumdinger, you're something else. Thanks for the info. BTW, I doubt the two tiers are solely based on MCAT. Last year, we had people on both lists with varying scores... Anyway, I think the MCAT/GPA score is what get's your foot in the door. Once you've interviewed, everyone's supposedly on equal footing...

 

[QofQuimica]

Ahumdinger, you're something else. Thanks for the info. BTW, I doubt the two tiers are solely based on MCAT. Last year, we had people on both lists with varying scores... Anyway, I think the MCAT/GPA score is what get's your foot in the door. Once you've interviewed, everyone's supposedly on equal footing...

Wow, I just looked at your profile. Pretty incredible. 👍

 

[jjmack]

Ahumdinger, you're something else. Thanks for the info. BTW, I doubt the two tiers are solely based on MCAT. Last year, we had people on both lists with varying scores... Anyway, I think the MCAT/GPA score is what get's your foot in the door. Once you've interviewed, everyone's supposedly on equal footing...

they say that, but I hightly doubt it. I'm sure they still much more often take the high numbers.

 

[ahumdinger]

ahumdinger -- yes, i've since found out more about the culinary options (in large part from your posts!), which has added to my excitement about moving to st. louis 🙂 I just wish the first years I met had said that when I asked though; they were just like 'uh yeah, there aren't many chinese restaurants around here'... 😛

the first years in general aren't very exciting.

i'm glad i was able to help!!

 

[somewhere2010]

i'm on the thriver waitlist...check out my profile - i doubt i'm on there because of my MCAT! ehehe

 

[ahumdinger]

i'm on the thriver waitlist...check out my profile - i doubt i'm on there because of my MCAT! ehehe

It's definitely not MCAT, but more likely some ridiculous algorithm that takes into consideration the phase of the moon on the day of our birth.

 

[chanjurban]

Wow, I just looked at your profile. Pretty incredible. 👍

😍 😍 Aawww.. Thanks Q. I even thanked you on the profile... 😍 😍 And a BIG congrats on becoming Dr.Q!! 👍

BTW, Somewhere2010, I just looked at your profile - especially the comments. I cannot imagine what you have to put up with on a daily basis. Kudos for you for doing so well. I know you've heard it beofre, but don't let the haters get you down!

 

[somewhere2010]

😍 😍 Aawww.. Thanks Q. I even thanked you on the profile... 😍 😍 And a BIG congrats on becoming Dr.Q!! 👍

BTW, Somewhere2010, I just looked at your profile - especially the comments. I cannot imagine what you have to put up with on a daily basis. Kudos for you for doing so well. I know you've heard it beofre, but don't let the haters get you down!

aww thanks chan! day to day, i never face this discrimination - or maybe i'm too dense to pick up on it when it's not typed out so rudely! ha no, i don't think it's that...people just see in real life that i am where i am because i'm qualified! i was pretty shocked at how some people reacted to my profile, but it never got me down.

on a more relevant note, i got an email back from the admissions office today regading financial aid - they say you get an email about 1-2 days after acceptance stating that your financial aid package is available online...no estimates ahead of time (i suppose this makes sense, though it isn't what i wanted to hear!).

 

[QofQuimica]

People are always much "braver" when they can be anonymous. 🙄 It doesn't really matter what your deal is; people will try to pigeonhole you. If somewhere gets in with an average MCAT, it "must" be because she's black. If *I* get in, it's "obviously" just because of my MCAT. As if we are each nothing more than our MCAT scores....I'm glad to know that I wasted my time doing all of my ECs, writing my essays, and getting my PhD when my MCAT score alone would have made me a shoo-in. /sarcasm

chan, thanks for the congrats. I'm pretty happy about it myself. 🙂

 

[oneaat]

for info's sake - i had a ridiculously high mcat score and didn't get the "thriver" letter. if anyone's counting...

 

[ahumdinger]

here's my latest theory:

the secretary mentioned real briefly that she thought the tiers may have something to do with the way the student was evaluated at interview. Again, this is purely her speculation, but with that little information, plus the other tidbits I already mentioned, I have the ability to synthesize a wild and even more speculative scenario.

Let's say that we each get a "score" from our interviewers, and then we get discussed at big committee, at which point there's crazy disagreements on whether so-and-so is a great candidate. As a result, we all get placed in the seemingly infinite waiting pool. The thriver vs. non thriver letter may be determined by that initial "score" from our interviewer. BUT the secretary mentioned that students get in from both "tiers", right? So that also makes sense in this new theory, because I think Dodson pretty much hand picks the students (or maybe there's a smaller, concentrated committee), so he may or may not have agreed with the interviewer's initial assessment and may pick a "non-thriver" over a "thriver".


ha! Try to debunk that theory!!


Have I gone completely insane yet?
😱

 

[abj]

the secretary mentioned real briefly that she thought the tiers may have something to do with the way the student was evaluated at interview. Again, this is purely her speculation, but with that little information, plus the other tidbits I already mentioned, I have the ability to synthesize a wild and even more speculative scenario.

Well, I'll throw my own monkey wrench into that possibility, as I am a "thriver." However, I thought I did rather poorly (at least on my standards) in the interview. I'm a type of interviewee that will give a decent to good interview (between a 6-8 on a ten point scale: 1 being I told the interviewer to F off, 5 being mariginal...he did not help or hurt himself in the interview, and a 10 being the interviewer begged me to enter the school during the interview), never anything bad, nor anything tremendously great. I would give my Wash U interview a 6; granted, the questions I answered poorly were hidden away in the middle of the interview (minutes 15-25), as my interview lasted 45 minutes, up until I was basically kicked out of the conference room (he wanted to make sure I got to the lucheon on time). Maybe my interviewer tended to overlook my responses to those questions... I did ask some very intriguing questions about the future of the school to him, but I doubt that really helped me maximize my application. I know I was really nervous, I really stuttered a lot, plus I tended to give rather short answers, which resulted in a couple of moments of long pauses while he tried to catch up with his notes.

It is also quite possible I'm being wayyyy too hard on myself, I did have a 6 hour car ride home to sit there while driving through the boring stretches of Illinois, and rethink every little lamebrain comment, thought, and idea I had during the interview.

Nevertheless, Thank you ahumdinger for all the updates and backstage information. I hope Dean Dodson checks out this thread from time to time... I think we've got some very down-to-earth people that really want to get in. Or, at least, he sees there is a Wisconsin Badger that really wants to get in

 

[WenfeiX]

Do you guys think it's appropriate to write a letter saying, 'Wash U is my absolute #1 choice...as long as my financial aid package is anywhere near comparable to (school that I've been accepted to that's an awesome school too)'?

I don't know if that rings hollow. I sent in a letter saying that Wash U is definitely among my top choices...but I'm kind of wishing I would've changed the wording, because really...if $$$ weren't an issue, I'd definitely go there.

Ahhhhhh I'm going nuts! 🙂

 

[pls accept me]

"well, from past years, do you have a good estimate? I mean, is it hundreds?" She gestured in a way that I interpreted to mean, "yeah, there's a whole bunch" but then she said, "there's at least 100."

Doesn't "hundreds" imply 200+ ? Well thanks for the info. No contacts deeeeeep within WashU's admin? Oh shoot, I realized their second look was this weekend. You could have masqueraded as an admit and drawn some info out for "some friends on the waitlist." 🙂

 

[ND2005]

Doesn't "hundreds" imply 200+ ? Well thanks for the info. No contacts deeeeeep within WashU's admin? Oh shoot, I realized their second look was this weekend. You could have masqueraded as an admit and drawn some info out for "some friends on the waitlist." 🙂

I'm think WashU is one of the schools that waitlists just about everyone - like they basically have to catch you lying on your app to give you the post-interview boot.

 

[ahumdinger]

Doesn't "hundreds" imply 200+ ? Well thanks for the info. No contacts deeeeeep within WashU's admin? Oh shoot, I realized their second look was this weekend. You could have masqueraded as an admit and drawn some info out for "some friends on the waitlist." 🙂

I went to some of the 2nd look events (like a $2500 open tab at the pub down the street from me) and tried my best to get the 2nd years I know to recommend some other top schools.... 🙂 incidentally, WashU dropped down to 4th this year in the rankings, hopefully that will work in our advantage as well!

 

[jjmack]

I wish wash u would be more honest with the applicants where they stand on thet MASSIVE waitlist. And do you think they could possibly screen better who they want to interview?

 

[SeventhSon]

just wanted to give you guys a heads up since i was at WashU's revisit. I talked to an adcom member and it sounded like about 240 acceptances have gone out, and traditionally they make 300 offers before their class is full.

 

[ahumdinger]

just wanted to give you guys a heads up since i was at WashU's revisit. I talked to an adcom member and it sounded like about 240 acceptances have gone out, and traditionally they make 300 offers before their class is full.

thanks seventhson but we already knew that!! any other juicy details? Like how many are waitlisted?

 

[Ultra7]

Do you guys think it's appropriate to write a letter saying, 'Wash U is my absolute #1 choice...as long as my financial aid package is anywhere near comparable to (school that I've been accepted to that's an awesome school too)'?

I don't know if that rings hollow. I sent in a letter saying that Wash U is definitely among my top choices...but I'm kind of wishing I would've changed the wording, because really...if $$$ weren't an issue, I'd definitely go there.

Ahhhhhh I'm going nuts! 🙂

I think you should send an email to Dean Dodson (the nice admissions assistant told me that is his preference over regular mail), and tell him that! According to the admissions assistant, he likes to get this kind of positive email from prospectives.
He also asks current students every year to email him with the names of their friends who are applying to Wash U (basically, an informal LOR). If any of you have a friend who is currently in med school at Wash U, or a Wash U med school alumni, I think it would be a good idea to have them send an email to Dean Dodson on your behalf (assuming Wash U is your #1).
Good luck!

 

[beffers8888]

I realized that when I sent in the waitlist form that it said what us waitlisters are supposed to do for financial aid. Are we supposed to turn stuff in by April 15?

 

[Hassler]

The Financial Aid Office told me that waitlisted applicants are encouraged but not required to turn in everything by Apr 15. The reason that you're encouraged to do so is because you may have little time to make your decision if you're accepted. For some people, money might be an important factor in the decision making process.

 

[ahumdinger]

hello my friends! something else to keep you freaked out from now until whenever our beloved school decides to call:

the office manager where i work told me this semi-horror story about this girl who worked here a few years ago and was waitlisted at WashU. She sorta gave up hopes of getting in so didn't really pay much attention around may (or maybe later). Anyway, apparently the school tried to call her and tried to reach her at work. They said that she had 24 hours to give a response or they will go to the next person. Well, no one could find this girl and everyone was freaked out for her. The secretaries here went to her apt to pound on her door, they called her parents, etc etc. Finally they did get ahold of her, and now, years later, she's starting her residency here at Barnes.

I think the 24 hour thing may be an exaggeration, but anyway, the moral of the story: make sure the school knows how to reach you. As for me, I will be in China from may 18-june 4 (I know, perfect vacation planning, thanks MOM!) and will be sending a list over to the admissions office of all possible phone numbers to call within 6 degrees of relations to me.

 

[ND2005]

hello my friends! something else to keep you freaked out from now until whenever our beloved school decides to call:

the office manager where i work told me this semi-horror story about this girl who worked here a few years ago and was waitlisted at WashU. She sorta gave up hopes of getting in so didn't really pay much attention around may (or maybe later). Anyway, apparently the school tried to call her and tried to reach her at work. They said that she had 24 hours to give a response or they will go to the next person. Well, no one could find this girl and everyone was freaked out for her. The secretaries here went to her apt to pound on her door, they called her parents, etc etc. Finally they did get ahold of her, and now, years later, she's starting her residency here at Barnes.

I think the 24 hour thing may be an exaggeration, but anyway, the moral of the story: make sure the school knows how to reach you. As for me, I will be in China from may 18-june 4 (I know, perfect vacation planning, thanks MOM!) and will be sending a list over to the admissions office of all possible phone numbers to call within 6 degrees of relations to me.

Yikes. That's scary.

My last update letter is going to be a list of contacts. I'll have my e-mail, 3 phone numbers where I can be reached, 2 emergency contacts, and a proxy who I authorize to respond to an offer if I cannot be reached.

And I'm not even going to be going anywhere!

 

[Dr. Giggles]

As for me, I will be in China from may 18-june 4 (I know, perfect vacation planning, thanks MOM!) and will be sending a list over to the admissions office of all possible phone numbers to call within 6 degrees of relations to me.

My mom bought me a ticket to England from May 15-29 without asking me, and I told her I won't be going unless I get an acceptance before then. How can I enjoy a vacation if I can't check SDN/email/and phone for updates every 5 minutes right when waitlists start moving?? I'd just ruin it for everybody else. I guess this is a horrible way to treat your mother (the day after Mother's Day, no less), but there's only one priority in my life right now.

 

[ahumdinger]

Boy, I really hope you get in before may 15!!

I'm only going to china on those dates because my mom is going then too. I think being in China by myself (and facing all my relatives alone) is probably scarier than any waitlist anxiety I may have. At least when I'm there I can still check email like a maniac. It's really the 18hr flight there and back that's gonna kill me.

Hey ND, I was thinking about the whole authorizing a proxy thing. I thought it would sound ridiculous, but I'll do it if you're doing it.

 

[ClarinetGeek]

Not to give anyone false hope, but I have withdrawn my application from WashU. I was on the waitlist, and I was not a thriver, but "fully qualified for admission." Granted I really don't know how this theorized tiered waitlist works. But I hope one you SDNers who absolutely 😍 WashU get a spot!

I had interviewed for the MSTP but the MSTP ad com rejected me, so I don't even know why I was considering their MD program since I have a MSTP acceptance. I guess I was lured by their prestige even though I knew I wanted do the MD/PhD.

Best of luck to you, and I hope this gives some of you a little hope!

 

[ahumdinger]

Not to give anyone false hope, but I have withdrawn my application from WashU. I was on the waitlist, and I was not a thriver, but "fully qualified for admission." Granted I really don't know how this theorized tiered waitlist works. But I hope one you SDNers who absolutely 😍 WashU get a spot!

I had interviewed for the MSTP but the MSTP ad com rejected me, so I don't even know why I was considering their MD program since I have a MSTP acceptance. I guess I was lured by their prestige even though I knew I wanted do the MD/PhD.

Best of luck to you, and I hope this gives some of you a little hope!

Thanks Clarinet! Are you going to Iowa? What a great program! Best of luck to you!

 

[ClarinetGeek]

Thanks Clarinet! Are you going to Iowa? What a great program! Best of luck to you!

Yep that is the plan! I am heading there to visit next weekend and I am excited to say the least. I think the only thing that could changes things would be if Mayo decided to extend an offer.... (yeah right, like that will ever happen). Even then I am not sure I would take it.

 

[ND2005]

Hey ND, I was thinking about the whole authorizing a proxy thing. I thought it would sound ridiculous, but I'll do it if you're doing it.

Yeah, I don't want to sound ridiculous. I'm just going to write something along the lines of "If there is an emergency or for any reason I cannot be contacted, please contact my father, ____, at ______. He is aware of my situation and can speak on my behalf if I am unavailable"

That doesn't sound too crazy does it?

 

[velo]

Yeah, I don't want to sound ridiculous. I'm just going to write something along the lines of "If there is an emergency or for any reason I cannot be contacted, please contact my father, ____, at ______. He is aware of my situation and can speak on my behalf if I am unavailable"

That doesn't sound too crazy does it?

no, that sounds pretty good.

 

[oneaat]

speaking of people going overseas - if you give a school that waitlisted you an overseas phone number, will they call it? or should i just tell them to e-mail in the unlikely event they take me?

 

[ahumdinger]

speaking of people going overseas - if you give a school that waitlisted you an overseas phone number, will they call it? or should i just tell them to e-mail in the unlikely event they take me?

I doubt they'd call an overseas number. depending on where it is, the time difference may be that they would have to call at an ungodly hour. It may be good for you to give your parents' contact info so that they can reach you after hours and you can call the school back.

 

[oneaat]

i'm going overseas to live with my parents... i could give them my boyfriend's number i guess, or specify that email is preferred. now, washu just has to call me this june 🙂

 

[oneaat]

i called the admissions office, and they said that if you're out of the country, and you tell them e-mail is best, they'll email you. basically, she said that they'll call, email, write - they know you need to know, you know? 🙂

 

[ahumdinger]

hey guys, I'm planning a trip to the admissions office tomorrow or monday. Any burning questions you want me to try to ask? Can't guarantee any good answers, but I'll give it my best shot. May 15 is not too far away! good luck everyone!

 

[abj]

I am really interested in if they have a type of student they are looking to fill some of their empty seats, e.g. male/female, research/clinically orientated, traditional/non-trad, "thriver"/non-thriver, early interviewee/late interviewees, ivy/public university, midwest/everywhere else, short/tall people, nerds/jocks, or people who live in Wisconsin/people who do not. If you could get anything telling like this, it might help us try to untangle how the class is shaping up, and who might have a better chance of getting an acceptance. Thanks ahumdinger for being our version of undercover reporting!

 

[ahumdinger]

I am really interested in if they have a type of student they are looking to fill some of their empty seats, e.g. male/female, research/clinically orientated, traditional/non-trad, "thriver"/non-thriver, early interviewee/late interviewees, ivy/public university, midwest/everywhere else, short/tall people, nerds/jocks, or people who live in Wisconsin/people who do not. If you could get anything telling like this, it might help us try to untangle how the class is shaping up, and who might have a better chance of getting an acceptance. Thanks ahumdinger for being our version of undercover reporting!

haha! oh abj, you really think I'm the magic 8 ball here! don't we all want to hear the answers to those questions!! What you want to know will be based on who's vacating the seats-- if more than half of the women withdraw, I'm sure they will be accepting lots of women to keep it at 50/50. From what I gathered from the secretary handling the files, she says it's really a tossup. The students who come off of waitlists come from everywhere, with every kind of background. This makes sense, because in years past, practically half the class comes off of the waitlist, and if the overall makeup is very diverse, then a 50% subset is pretty representative of the whole group. I think this year we just have to pray that WashU didn't do too good of a job hosting the 2nd look weekend so that as many students go elsewhere as in any given year. (the Farrell learning center is so shiny and new though!)

say, abj, which would you choose? washU or Duke?

 

[ND2005]

hey guys, I'm planning a trip to the admissions office tomorrow or monday. Any burning questions you want me to try to ask? Can't guarantee any good answers, but I'll give it my best shot. May 15 is not too far away! good luck everyone!

Main question from me is mostly timing:

When do they start pulling people? When is sort of the peak activity period?

 

[abj]

say, abj, which would you choose? washU or Duke?

WashU without a doubt. Duke ran out of on-campus interview spots, so I didn't get the full immersion of what the school and students are like. With only the viewpoints of my interviewer (thankfully he could at least compare/contract Duke with Wisconsin since he also interviews for Wisconsin) and some second-hand accounts, there's no way I could choose Duke over WashU. Granted, Duke's optional third year research might fit my background better (as I have limited research experiences), but that's really the only solid reason I have for choosing Duke over WashU. WashU basically showed me why their school is so great, and I loved it. It might have been a different story if I did interview on Duke's campus... or maybe I would still be in the same position of hoping for WashU to call first in the upcoming weeks.

I would still love to go to Duke. But I just love WashU that little bit more.