Being waitlisted can feel like a punch in the gut, especially after dedicating so much time and effort to your application. I know the feeling all too well! When I first applied to medical school, I landed on the waitlist at Case Western. Despite my best hopes, I never progressed off the list. Disappointing? Absolutely. But was it the end of my medical dreams? Not even close.
Being placed on a medical school waitlist may fall short of your end goal. But here’s the thing – being waitlisted is not the same as being rejected. It’s a testament to the fact that the admissions committee sees potential in you. They just might not have enough spots available at that moment.
Understanding how the waitlist works, what factors come into play, and how you can potentially improve your chances of getting off the list can make all the difference. So, let’s get into my tips and insights if you find yourself on a medical school waitlist.
This post is all about medical school waitlist.
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What Should You Do While You’re on a Medical School Waitlist?
How Medical School Waitlists Work
You’re on a medical school waitlist, and you’re probably wondering, “Now, what?” First, it helps to understand that medical schools actually use two types of waitlists: a pre-interview and a post-interview waitlist.
Pre-Interview Waitlist
As the name implies, you would find yourself on this list before you get the chance to interview. Basically, since the admissions committee can’t predict exactly how many applicants will accept their interview invites, they send out more invitations than available slots. When someone declines an interview, the committee looks at the pre-interview waitlist to find the next most qualified candidate to fill that spot.
Post-Interview Waitlist
After all the interviews are done, usually by mid-March for MD programs in the US, schools have to send out acceptance offers equal to the number of spots in their incoming class. To balance out the rejections they expect, schools often send out more offers than available spots.
Since every smart premed applies to much more than one school (I personally applied to 28 medical schools in my second very successful cycle), but will only end up going to one of them – there will also be a lot of acceptances that will actually be turned down. This is why medical schools can’t predict how many applicants will end up accepting or declining their offers. So creating a waitlist makes sense. When someone turns down an offer, the admissions committee can quickly move on to the next qualified candidate on the list.
So, don’t lose hope if you’re on a medical school waitlist. You never know when a spot might open up for you!
Why Medical Schools Use Waitlists
Medical schools have a limited number of spots available for each class. This means they have to juggle resources, budgets, and class sizes to make tough decisions on who to accept. As such, they can’t say yes to everyone, even if they’re super qualified. So they use a waitlist as a tool for keeping you interested.
When a medical school admissions committee offers you a spot on the waitlist, they’re communicating that they want to see if you’re still open to committing to their school if a spot opens up. You get to decide whether to stay on the waitlist or not, and you can choose to provide more info to show how excited you are about the school. In this way, they can gauge your interest without giving you a firm acceptance just yet.
Possible Reasons Your Application Is on a Waitlist
Being placed on a medical school waitlist is a common occurrence. So don’t be disheartened if you find yourself in this situation. There are various reasons why you might end up on a waitlist. Essentially, it means that the school recognizes your qualifications and potential. However at the moment, there are other applicants who may have slightly edged ahead of you in certain aspects.
Perhaps another applicant scored higher on the MCAT or GPA, has more relevant research experience that aligns with the school’s focus. Perhaps he has several publications to their name, or has simply presented a more compelling story in their application. It’s tough to pinpoint exactly why you landed on the waitlist. However, it does indicate that the school sees you as a good fit. It’s just that there are a few others they felt were an even better match for the available spots.
What Are the Chances of Getting off a Med School Waitlist?
If you’re feeling anxious about being on a medical school waitlist, just know that there’s a possibility of getting that much-awaited acceptance letter. Take a look at these medical school waitlist statistics.
- Out of the 62,443 individual applicants in 2021-2022, 22,666 successfully matriculated into medical school, which represents a 36% acceptance rate.
- After landing on a waitlist, the chance of acceptance varies by institution, with some schools admitting between 15% and up to 50% of their class from the waitlist.
- Waitlist positions vary from as few as 30 to upwards of 600. Your odds of acceptance increase if you’re waitlisted with fewer applicants, such as 30, as compared to waiting in a line up of hundreds.
So, if you find yourself on the waitlist at one or more medical schools, you still have a reasonable chance of receiving an acceptance offer. Just like selecting accepted students, getting off the waitlist depends on various factors like grades, test scores, personal statement, letters of recommendation, and how well you align with the school’s values.
As spots open up, the admissions committee fills them with waitlisted candidates they deem the best fit. To make things easier for you, the AAMC has put together a helpful guide that compiles this information for each school.
How to Think Positively About Being on a Waitlist
Once you find yourself on a medical school waitlist, know that while it’s not the news you were hoping for, it’s not all doom and gloom. Give yourself a pep talk by considering the following perspectives.
- A “maybe” is better than a “no.” The medical school is still considering you as a potential candidate. It’s not a direct rejection, and there’s still a chance you could be offered a spot if one becomes available.
- You’re close to acceptance but perhaps just fell short of securing a spot during the initial selection process. It’s a positive sign that you are in the running and have caught the attention of the admissions committee.
- Perhaps you’ve already received an acceptance from a lower-priority school, then being on a waitlist for your top-choice school means you still have options.
- Being on a waitlist allows you to assess your options, recalibrate your goals, and consider different possibilities.
When does the Medical School Waitlist Movement Start?
Waitlist movement can be unpredictable. It’s a dynamic and ongoing procedure that helps schools ensure that all available spots are filled with committed and qualified students. You may find yourself on a waitlist soon after your interview or even before, which can be months before you receive a final decision.
Let’s break it down into a general timeline.
October: Acceptances Begin
Medical schools can start to send out acceptances as early as mid October. However, every medical school has different timelines so you can still expect an acceptance as late as mid March. The admissions committee usually makes these acceptance offers to fill the available spots in the incoming class. Hopefully, your hard work has paid off, and you receive one or more acceptance letters.
April: Decision Deadline for Accepted Students
MD schools require accepted students to choose one medical program. They are expected to decline any other acceptance offers they may have received by April.
Here is when the waitlist starts to see some movement as spots become available due to students withdrawing their acceptances.
On the other hand, for DO schools, the Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (COMs) report to AACOMAS the names of students who have paid a deposit and accepted a spot in the incoming class, which helps in tracking the commitments made by students to different programs.
May: Finalizing Acceptance Offers
Sometime in May, AACOMAS reports back to COMs about students who have accepted spots at multiple DO schools. Schools may withdraw their acceptances if students have committed to more than one program. This step ensures that committed applicants fill all spots.
April until Orientation: Waitlist Movement
From late spring through the end of summer, both MD and DO schools continue to take students off the waitlist as needed. This period can be a rollercoaster of emotions as some applicants may receive last-minute acceptance offers, while others may end up being waitlisted until the start of the program.
Because movement can occur up until just a few weeks before the school year starts in late August or September, be prepared – it leaves little time to prepare for the school year, especially if you need to relocate.
Medical School Waitlist Acceptance Process
When you receive a waitlist notification, consider it another shot at acceptance. You’ll typically get an email with an update on your status. Also, you’ll have the option to either accept or decline/withdraw. It’s often just a simple button click. However, sometimes, you may need to log into a portal to make your choice.
Pro tip: You can actually stay on a waitlist even if you’ve already accepted an offer from another school, which is a smart move, especially if you got into a program that wasn’t your top choice but you’re still holding out hope for your dream school.
Heads up – April 30th is the magic date when students can only hold one acceptance. However, they can be on as many waitlists as they please. So, keep your options open until the very end!
Remember, accepting a waitlist offer doesn’t mean you’re locked in for good. You may lose the deposit you paid to secure your spot at another school if you decide to switch at the last minute. Each school has its own rules and regulations, but in the grand scheme of things, if you do end up getting into your dream school at the eleventh hour, the worst they can do is keep your deposit.
Tips for Taking Action While Waiting
Your placement on a waitlist doesn’t mean you’re frozen in place. No, no, no! You have options. There are moves you can make to help your application advance to the front of the line and boost your chances of getting an acceptance.
Use these smart tips to increase your odds of getting off a medical waitlist.
Follow the School’s Instructions
Medical school waitlists can be stressful, but it’s important to carefully review the school’s policies and procedures. Respect their guidelines. When the school asks you not to reach out or send additional materials, abide by their policies.
If you’re allowed to keep in touch with the program, don’t overwhelm them with unnecessary communication. Space out your correspondence to strike a balance between showing interest and being respectful. Avoid coming off as too eager or disinterested. Finding the right level of engagement is key to effectively navigating a medical school waitlist.
Craft a Compelling Letter of Intent
Secure your spot off the medical school waitlist by showcasing your enthusiasm for the program. Highlight any updates or improvements to your application. If this school is your top choice, send out a letter of intent which expresses your unwavering commitment to attend if accepted. Also make sure to demonstrate why you are the ideal candidate for the school. Do this by emphasizing your unique qualities and achievements. Clearly convey that this program is your top choice. Make a strong case for why you and the school are a perfect match, setting yourself apart from other candidates.
Show Up and Be Seen
Being waitlisted at a medical school can be tough, but attending events and open houses can show your continued interest and dedication. Each event you go to is a chance to connect with students and admissions members. Be charming, ask questions, and show your best self. Making a good impression could help you stand out and improve your chances of acceptance.
Send an Exciting Update Letter
If you’ve improved your application since applying, additional letters of recommendation, recent publications, and better grades or test scores can persuade the admissions committee.
It works! One of our former Road to Acceptance students successfully got off the waitlist and was accepted to Penn State College of Medicine after she sent an impactful update letter.
Keep the admissions committee informed of any updates to show your continued interest and passion for acceptance. However, only send an update letter if you have made substantial improvements or achieved noteworthy accomplishments since applying.
When to Prepare for Reapplication (if Necessary)
If you haven’t received an acceptance from any medical schools by March, only waitlists, you’re now faced with deciding whether to enhance your application for a future round of admissions.
Remember, submitting the same application again will likely lead to the same outcome, so you must make significant changes! To improve your chances, assess your application critically. Look for areas for improvement, such as your personal statement, extracurricular activities, or academic achievements. Then, create a new plan to address these weaknesses in your application, seek guidance where necessary, and consider reevaluating the schools you’re applying to.
If you could use help with that, in my Free Premed Workshop I go through a lot of the mistakes I made the first time I applied (unsuccessfully) and how I turned it all around the second time earning 10 acceptances. In 60 jam-packed minutes you will learn what it means to apply early, how to cast a wide net, the step-by-step framework for a stellar personal statement, how to identify residency bias and more. This is your go-to free event if you are looking to maximize your chances of getting accepted.
Now, the thought of reapplying might seem overwhelming, especially after all the effort you put into your initial application. But here’s the deal – time is of the essence. If you’re aiming to apply for the next admissions cycle, you need to act fast.
Typically, waitlist notifications come around early May, and applications for the upcoming cycle open in early June. Ideally you want your primary application in by June or July. You can still apply in August or September, but this late timeline puts you at a disadvantage.
It’s definitely a tight window to decide your next steps! Can you realistically enhance your application in time for a June reapplication, or would it be more beneficial to take a gap year to strengthen your profile, like I did?
It’s a big decision, so weigh your options wisely.
Unlocking the Potential of a Medical School Waitlist
Being on a medical school waitlist is not the end of your journey—it’s actually a stepping stone towards improvement and growth. While it may feel disheartening at first, being waitlisted provides you with the opportunity to enhance your application for the future. Use this experience as motivation to further polish your strengths and address any weaknesses. Remember, the waitlist is just a temporary pause before potentially landing a spot in your dream medical school.
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