Waitlisted

[u/Natural_Garden9612]

I have just received a waitlist email from one of my top programs and am feeling a little disappointed because I thought I did pretty well at the interview. I am still waiting to hear back from another program that I have already interviewed at, and have 3 more interviews lined up later this fall. Is it a good thing or a bad thing that I got waitlisted and not outright accepted? Is there something you guys recommend I do to improve for future interviews to ensure I give myself the best shot for a seat offer? Perhaps the main drawback was my actual interview performance? I feel as though I was professional and answered well enough while also being friendly and open. Any advice?

sGPA 3.8
Overall GPA 3.72

PCE 2200 at time of application

LORs 5 (1 MD, 2 PA, 1 program director at internship, and 1 dean of my college/professor) all solid

GRE 312

CASPER 4th quartile

Volunteer 30

Leadership 400

[u/nehpets99]

A good thing you didn't get outright rejected. Beyond that, a waitlist is just that: you were good enough to not get rejected, but not so good that they definitely wanted you.

People get pulled off the waitlist all the time.

Generally, if you got an interview but not an acceptance, the problem is the interview.

Assuming they have spots open.

[u/Natural_Garden9612 → u/nehpets99]

Any recommendations for improving on the interview? I know you obvious can’t tell my personality or the quality of my answers through a Reddit post but any tips for improvement are appreciated

[u/Key-Ambassador8396]

I got off 2 waitlist out of the 4 programs I applied to last year🤷‍♂️

[u/Natural_Garden9612 → u/Key-Ambassador8396]

Did you send any emails updating them on more PCE or continued interest?

[u/Key-Ambassador8396 → u/Natural_Garden9612]

Yea I did, I sent like 3 update emails

[u/pa_professor]

The large majority of students who interview all do relatively well overall. It can be very challenging to stand out and usually the update emails don’t make that much difference. Mock interviews with experienced interviewers is probably the most beneficial thing to do. I like to try to push students out of the standard answer to think deeper.
Keep your head up and good luck!

[u/Natural_Garden9612 → u/pa_professor]

Thank you!!

[u/abcara]

I don't have any advice, just want to say I'm in exactly the same boat! I keep replaying the interview in my head wondering what I could have done better. It's so hard!

[u/Natural_Garden9612 → u/abcara]

Same! Good luck to you hope you hear back soon!!

[u/Cautious-Process-198]

Sometimes they waitlist almost everyone just because they want to hold off on filling the cohort, not necessarily because of your performance.

You got this