What are the reasons one gets waitlisted

[PocketRocket]

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I was wait listed at the 3 schools I interviewed at. I can't help but replay in my head the conversations I've had with my interviewers. I honestly feel like the later 2 went really well. I have a 3.3s and 3.4o, DAT in sig. My ECs are good and my application is pretty much "complete". What are schools exactly thinking when they are placing someone on a waitlist vs a rejection?

 

[doktorinprogres]

Wouldn't it be that you're a good choice but there were other more exceptional people ahead of you that they wanted in early? I'd guess if you have 3 wait-lists early you did most everything right. Assuming it wasn't the interview that hindered an acceptance I'd sit tight and maybe send a letter of intent in a month or two.

 

[darknightzzz]

I was wait listed at the 3 schools I interviewed at. I can't help but replay in my head the conversations I've had with my interviewers. I honestly feel like the later 2 went really well. I have a 3.3s and 3.4o, DAT in sig. My ECs are good and my application is pretty much "complete". What are schools exactly thinking when they are placing someone on a waitlist vs a rejection?

tell me about it, 1 acceptance and 5 waitlists here bro. Did the economy tank so hard that people pour to apply to dental now.

 

[Typical Average Student]

They're probably waiting for an academic update (assuming you'll be submitting it)... at least that's what I tell myself when I didn't hear from Baylor ._.

 

[okiedokeartichoke]

It might not even be the interviews that ultimately weighed their decision to put you on the wait-list. I noticed in some posts that although people felt their interviews went a little poorly, they were accepted anyway despite their verbal flaws. You probably did everything right: applied in a timely manner, had decent numbers, extracurriculars, and adequate experience, interviewed well, etc. Who knows what they want and how they choose their class? I've come to the conclusion that dental admissions is unpredictable and a complete crapshoot at times. I'm not even applying until next year, and this cycle is already making me nervous and stressed for you guys! Getting waitlisted isn't the end of the world though, and it's only the beginning of December. People could be dropping their offers like flies, and you may very well be next to receive that coveted phone call, letter, or e-mail. It just takes patience and some luck.

 

[Typical Average Student]

I vouch what artichoke said.
My Midwestern interview was absolutely HORRIBLE, I stuttered and blanked out and asked if I could start over (I don't even know why I said that) after the second question!

I ended up getting accepted anyway lol...

Overall, just keep in contact with the schools you want to get in and don't give up hope!

 

[Rambunctious]

I was wait listed at the 3 schools I interviewed at. I can't help but replay in my head the conversations I've had with my interviewers. I honestly feel like the later 2 went really well. I have a 3.3s and 3.4o, DAT in sig. My ECs are good and my application is pretty much "complete". What are schools exactly thinking when they are placing someone on a waitlist vs a rejection?

Some schools might do it instead of a flat out rejection.

 

[hajin]

dental admissions is unpredictable and a complete crapshoot at times

I completely agree with this. Who knows what schools are looking for? I have solid stats (22 AA and 3.7s, 3.8o). I applied to 20 schools this cycle (no school in my state) and I've gotten accepted, waitlisted for a few, denied, and completely ignored by schools that are great, average and lower ranking in terms of stats. I got into a great school while other good schools denied me without an interview and a lower ranking private school put me on the waitlist. There is no pattern that I can really see.

 

[okiedokeartichoke]

I completely agree with this. Who knows what schools are looking for? I have solid stats (22 AA and 3.7s, 3.8o). I applied to 20 schools this cycle (no school in my state) and I've gotten accepted, waitlisted for a few, denied, and completely ignored by schools that are great, average and lower ranking in terms of stats. I got into a great school while other good schools denied me without an interview and a lower ranking private school put me on the waitlist. There is no pattern that I can really see.

Sorry to hear about that. I guess you win some, you lose some, but hey! You're going to be a dentist! Woohoo!

 

[PocketRocket]

I completely agree with this. Who knows what schools are looking for? I have solid stats (22 AA and 3.7s, 3.8o). I applied to 20 schools this cycle (no school in my state) and I've gotten accepted, waitlisted for a few, denied, and completely ignored by schools that are great, average and lower ranking in terms of stats. I got into a great school while other good schools denied me without an interview and a lower ranking private school put me on the waitlist. There is no pattern that I can really see.

Congrats on the acceptance, you're kinda not allowed to complain lol... But I kinda have a theory. Do you think that schools are more likely to waitlist you if you are applying to alot of schools. The logic behind this is if a student is applying to 12+ schools wouldn't this make them wonder about your commitment to their program? They would be asking themselves "he's applying to so many programs, we're not even sure he'll want to attend our school if accepted so why bother"

 

[hajin]

"he's applying to so many programs, we're not even sure he'll want to attend our school if accepted so why bother"

There might be something to that. I also think that some admissions people might be looking to pad invite or acceptance stats. That sounds sinister.. but from our perspective them streamlining the process on their end isn't always the best thing.

I mean, I used to think that if you have a 26AA and a 4.0 and you apply to (average private school) it would be a slam dunk, but now I think that in the real world that perfects applicant's chances of even scoring an interview at those kind of schools are pretty much zero because these admissions guys know that you're more likely to cancel your interview, and even if you do show up and wow them, you're likely to turn them down when they accept you because you applied to 10 other schools that they guess you're more likely to go to.

Now I'm not trying to say that I'm some perfect applicant - by SDN standards a 22 AA means I'm functionally ******ed - but I do think that if there is any kind of pattern it's this: Schools that are in your range or reaches will say yes or no, while schools that are below your range will prioritize candidates more likely to enroll and then play the waiting game with you - waitlist, late invites, or the latest BS I've seen, emails to see if you're still interested. All of this makes sense and is good for the school and their stats, but bad for the applicants.

 

[dentalstudentprospect2]

in my experience it is a total crap shoot. I interviewed at 5 schools, 3 pre dec 2 post dec. I got no acceptances dec 1 but eventually ended up getting into 4/5 schools I interviewed at. I even got a scholarship offer at one of the schools. my best advice is to not let it get to you. being waitlisted from all the schools really ruined my self esteem at the time. I started to think that there was something inherently wrong with my personality or that i came off as a weirdo during interviews. you never know what can happen. best of luck!

 

[beignets]

in my experience it is a total crap shoot. I interviewed at 5 schools, 3 pre dec 2 post dec. I got no acceptances dec 1 but eventually ended up getting into 4/5 schools I interviewed at. I even got a scholarship offer at one of the schools. my best advice is to not let it get to you. being waitlisted from all the schools really ruined my self esteem at the time. I started to think that there was something inherently wrong with my personality or that i came off as a weirdo during interviews. you never know what can happen. best of luck!

Did you send any letters of intent while you were waitlisted?

 

[dentalstudentprospect2]

Did you send any letters of intent while you were waitlisted?

nope.

 

[gucci]

It means you're not good enough to get in immediately but you're also not bad enough to discard immediately

 

[ClosetNerd828]

by SDN standards a 22 AA means I'm functionally ******ed

SDN winner for the day.

 

[PocketRocket]

They're probably waiting for an academic update (assuming you'll be submitting it)... at least that's what I tell myself when I didn't hear from Baylor ._.

I already graduated and have just been working full time.. Not sure how to update them other than telling them that I'm still doing what I was doing when I applied

 

[RuffDay]

I already graduated and have just been working full time.. Not sure how to update them other than telling them that I'm still doing what I was doing when I applied

The only update I can do is probably my volunteer and shadowing hours.

 

[PocketRocket]

in my experience it is a total crap shoot. I interviewed at 5 schools, 3 pre dec 2 post dec. I got no acceptances dec 1 but eventually ended up getting into 4/5 schools I interviewed at. I even got a scholarship offer at one of the schools. my best advice is to not let it get to you. being waitlisted from all the schools really ruined my self esteem at the time. I started to think that there was something inherently wrong with my personality or that i came off as a weirdo during interviews. you never know what can happen. best of luck!

When was your first acceptance?
It's about to be March and I'm still at a big fat zero.
I interviewed at three more schools in February. Nova wait listed me and I'm waiting for Godot on the other two. I am beginning to think there is something fundamental wrong with me and for the life of me I can't put a finger on it.

 

[darknightzzz]

When was your first acceptance?
It's about to be March and I'm still at a big fat zero.
I interviewed at three more schools in February. Nova wait listed me and I'm waiting for Godot on the other two. I am beginning to think there is something fundamental wrong with me and for the life of me I can't put a finger on it.

chin up, don't feel that pessimistic.

have you sent letter of intents? basically bluntly say they are your top choice and you will attend if accepted? recall on some of the positive things that you see at each school on this letter of intent.

may be they think you have been accepted to other schools and just waitlist you to see if you express sincere interest to attend their schools

 

[PocketRocket]

chin up, don't feel that pessimistic.

have you sent letter of intents? basically bluntly say they are your top choice and you will attend if accepted? recall on some of the positive things that you see at each school on this letter of intent.

may be they think you have been accepted to other schools and just waitlist you to see if you express sincere interest to attend their schools

Thanks!
I am doing all of that and I know that spring time is when the most movement happens on the WL so I'm staying positive.