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What to do if I'm waitlisted?
Started by crazyglue
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Use all the free resources available to you from SDN: articles, guides, expert advising, forums discussions, and school research.
Reaffirm interest in the school with a letter. Also, provide updates (academic, extracurricular, awards, etc.) to your application.
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For EC update, I sent a mass email to all the school stating that I started working and I explained it just like as if I added an activity on AADSAS, same exact format. I received a reply from just about all the school that it will be added into my file. However, I would also write a short letter stating the update. To the waitlisted schools mail a letter of interest pointing out how the school is a good fit for you specifically, what else you have done since you submitted your application, etc.
I would suggest setting up a visit to discuss how you can strengthen your application for the next cycle (if you have a preferred school, especially if one is your state school). This helps demonstrate your commitment to improving your application and it can also provide an opportunity to update the school on any additional EC's, etc you may have undertaken/achieved. This could also improve your chances for this cycle. How much is anyones guess.
Once you have a meeting set up you then want to be careful not to appear as though you are trying to "force" your way off the waitlist. Really approach the meeting with the mindset, and message, that you just want to do whatever it takes in the coming few months to get into their dental school. Ask them for a brutally honest critical analysis of what your deficiencies were and also what your strengths were.
Something else that would useful would be to get an idea of what "type" of applicant they view you as. Meaning, do they view you simply as a candidate with good grades, good DAT scores and standard EC's? or do you have some life experience or career plan which puts you into a different category of applicant, ie. someone that might work in underserved areas, someone with artistic skills, etc. Most of all be sincere and honest (telling you something I'm sure you already know there). Remember, classes typically are composed of a range of different types of applicants. Just find out where they think you might fit in the/a class they have constructed. Also, hurry up and set up the meeting
Once you have a meeting set up you then want to be careful not to appear as though you are trying to "force" your way off the waitlist. Really approach the meeting with the mindset, and message, that you just want to do whatever it takes in the coming few months to get into their dental school. Ask them for a brutally honest critical analysis of what your deficiencies were and also what your strengths were.
Something else that would useful would be to get an idea of what "type" of applicant they view you as. Meaning, do they view you simply as a candidate with good grades, good DAT scores and standard EC's? or do you have some life experience or career plan which puts you into a different category of applicant, ie. someone that might work in underserved areas, someone with artistic skills, etc. Most of all be sincere and honest (telling you something I'm sure you already know there). Remember, classes typically are composed of a range of different types of applicants. Just find out where they think you might fit in the/a class they have constructed. Also, hurry up and set up the meeting
Type it. It's not a thank you card!
that sounds like a great idea...but I've been having a lot of trouble getting schools to tell me what I can improve...each time I get the "we cannot say anything at this point as we do not have access to your file, it is still under review" spiel.
I do plan on sending out EC updates quite soon, I am essentially on 4 waitlists...and not being able to do much has been killing me, thanks for the advice guys.
You take your cue from the word-waitlisted.
