What are some ways to increase my chances of getting off the waitlist for a DO school?

[spidey066]

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I was waitlisted for a school about a month ago. Aside from sending them a letter of intent and updates is there anything else I could do to increase my chances of getting off the waitlist?. In the past month I've been trying to give myself more medical exposure to prove that I really want to get accepted and that I'm really serious about medicine. I used to be scribing in the ER but I took a transfer out to a private practice to diversify my experience. Would that look good in a letter update? Also what about taking classes such as anatomy or pathophysiology? There is a community college near me that offers a pathophysiology course next month and I was thinking of signing up for it (which I would also mention in an update letter I plan to send). Would it also look impressive if I started volunteering at some charitable places as well? Idk if it makes a difference but I have a 3.35 cGPA, 3.15 sGPA, 26 MCAT. Strong LORs, with research and good extra-curricular activities.

 

[mathnerd88]

Depends on the school...I would say continue to send heartfelt letters of intent, and also perhaps contact the school to see if there are any improvements you can make for next cycle, if any?

It does look like your stats for both MCAT and GPA are on the low side, so prepare to try to retake the MCAT and/or retake some classes to boost that GPA.

 

[VagabondKing]

I'd keep doing what you said and show intent. My class had someone drop out the first week for personal reasons and the spot was replaced with someone off the wait-list.

 

[samac]

Don't bug the crap out of them being like "look I'm shadowing"
Or "look I volunteered 2 hours at the soup kitchen!"
Update applications with things substantial. When you finish this semester send them your grades and what you're registered for next semester.
If you do something substantial like starting a new research position or something along those lines.

 

[docycle]

Spam adcom inboxes and keep calling every few hours. I hear that they bump people to the top who show a sincere, relentless interest bordering on stalking/harassment.

(Disclaimer: I am not responsible if you get autorejected for actually doing this).

 

[oOKawaiiOo]

1) What schools did you apply to? I hope you applied to +12 with your stats.
2) When did you apply?

 

[DrPatriot]

Try and seduce the dean's daughter...you can do it!

In all seriousness though there isn't much you can do besides doing things to continue to improve. This is good advice.

Don't bug the crap out of them being like "look I'm shadowing"
Or "look I volunteered 2 hours at the soup kitchen!"
Update applications with things substantial. When you finish this semester send them your grades and what you're registered for next semester.
If you do something substantial like starting a new research position or something along those lines.

 

[mavikedi]

I'm going to second what some people have already said and mention that it really depends on the school.

For example, I know for ATSU-SOMA there is really nothing you can do because once they look at your file once and give you a ranking they will never look at your file again and your admission off the wait list is dependent on the ranking.
If you haven't already you can call and talk to admissions directly and ask them if there is anything further you can do to show your interest and help get you off the wait list. They'll usually tell you if there is or isn't.

 

[Goro]

Send them a large donation check.

Failing that, be patient.

 

[adrian710]

I was waitlisted for a school about a month ago. Aside from sending them a letter of intent and updates is there anything else I could do to increase my chances of getting off the waitlist?. In the past month I've been trying to give myself more medical exposure to prove that I really want to get accepted and that I'm really serious about medicine. I used to be scribing in the ER but I took a transfer out to a private practice to diversify my experience. Would that look good in a letter update? Also what about taking classes such as anatomy or pathophysiology? There is a community college near me that offers a pathophysiology course next month and I was thinking of signing up for it (which I would also mention in an update letter I plan to send). Would it also look impressive if I started volunteering at some charitable places as well? Idk if it makes a difference but I have a 3.35 cGPA, 3.15 sGPA, 26 MCAT. Strong LORs, with research and good extra-curricular activities.

Where were you waitlisted? What is ur status now?

 

[xstetsonx]

Spam adcom inboxes and keep calling every few hours. I hear that they bump people to the top who show a sincere, relentless interest bordering on stalking/harassment.

(Disclaimer: I am not responsible if you get autorejected for actually doing this).

we don't need sarcasm here.

 

[docycle]

we don't need sarcasm here.

I'm sorry. I should have taken the hint that this was a safe space.

Brb yielding to mob mentality.

 

[spidey066]

Where were you waitlisted? What is ur status now?

Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine - haven't heard back from yet
New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine- haven't heard back from yet
A.T. Still University - Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine - rejected
University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine - rejected
Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine - rejected
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine- haven't heard back from yet
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine - Georgia Campus - haven't heard back from yet
West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine- haven't heard back from yet
University of Pikeville–Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine -haven't heard back from yet
Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine - waitlisted post interview
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Carolinas Campus -haven't heard back from yet
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Virginia Campus -haven't heard back from yet
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Auburn - haven't heard back from yet
Lincoln Memorial University–DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine -waitlisted pre-interview
Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine -waitlisted pre-interview
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine -haven't heard back from yet
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine Bradenton Campus -haven't heard back from yet
Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine at New Mexico State University- rejected

 

[adrian710]

Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine - haven't heard back from yet
New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine- haven't heard back from yet
A.T. Still University - Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine - rejected
University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine - rejected
Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine - rejected
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine- haven't heard back from yet
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine - Georgia Campus - haven't heard back from yet
West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine- haven't heard back from yet
University of Pikeville–Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine -haven't heard back from yet
Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine - waitlisted post interview
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Carolinas Campus -haven't heard back from yet
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Virginia Campus -haven't heard back from yet
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Auburn - haven't heard back from yet
Lincoln Memorial University–DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine -waitlisted pre-interview
Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine -waitlisted pre-interview
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine -haven't heard back from yet
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine Bradenton Campus -haven't heard back from yet
Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine at New Mexico State University- rejected

We have similar GPA's but I've yet to take MCAT

 

[deleted731525]

If all the accepted students start dying, they will have no choice but to start pulling people from the wait list. Just saying.... Disclaimer: this is a joke

 

[Dr Tony T. Chopper]

I was waitlisted for a school about a month ago. Aside from sending them a letter of intent and updates is there anything else I could do to increase my chances of getting off the waitlist?. In the past month I've been trying to give myself more medical exposure to prove that I really want to get accepted and that I'm really serious about medicine. I used to be scribing in the ER but I took a transfer out to a private practice to diversify my experience. Would that look good in a letter update? Also what about taking classes such as anatomy or pathophysiology? There is a community college near me that offers a pathophysiology course next month and I was thinking of signing up for it (which I would also mention in an update letter I plan to send). Would it also look impressive if I started volunteering at some charitable places as well? Idk if it makes a difference but I have a 3.35 cGPA, 3.15 sGPA, 26 MCAT. Strong LORs, with research and good extra-curricular activities.

Show us your spread! How many secondaries received/completed? Pre-interview holds? How many IIs? How many rejections? From what you've told us all we know is 1 waitlist.

 

[mathnerd88]

Show us your spread! How many secondaries received/completed? Pre-interview holds? How many IIs? How many rejections? From what you've told us all we know is 1 waitlist.

Look a couple posts above yours.

 

[Dr Tony T. Chopper]

Oops I've made a mistake! Sorry

Look a couple posts above yours.

 

[adrian710]

Is BCOM really GPA heavy? From what I have gathered, they seem to prefer the high GPA and a lower MCAT. Is that the trend with all newer schools? Is there somewhere that roughly marks what schools lean GPA over MCAT?