Receiving a waitlist notification from a medical school can feel like you’re stuck in limbo—not a rejection, but not yet an acceptance. While it can be an anxiety-inducing experience, being waitlisted means you’re still in the running, and there are steps you can take to improve your chances of getting off the waitlist and into medical school.

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In this guide, we’ll share actionable advice to help you navigate the waitlist process.‍

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Stay Informed: Know the School’s Waitlist Policies

First, review the waitlist policies for each school you’ve been waitlisted at. Some schools rank their waitlist, while others keep it unranked. Understanding where you stand or if additional information can be provided will help guide your next steps.

• Ranked Waitlists: If the school ranks the waitlist, ask where you stand, if possible.
• Unranked Waitlists: These are more fluid, meaning offers of admission could come to any waitlisted student as spots become available.

Reach out to the admissions office to clarify their specific process. Be polite and professional in your communication, as schools often track these interactions.

Send a Letter of Interest (LOI)

A Letter of Interest (LOI) is an excellent way to show the medical school that you’re still eager to attend. Use this letter to express your continued interest and reaffirm your commitment to attending if accepted.

What to Include in an LOI:

• Reiterate Your Interest: Clearly state that the school remains your top choice and explain why.
• Highlight New Achievements: If you’ve had any academic, clinical, or research accomplishments since submitting your application, mention them.
• Be Genuine: Schools value authentic enthusiasm, so avoid sounding generic or too rehearsed.

Be concise—one page is enough. Send this letter to the admissions office, and make sure it’s addressed to a specific person if possible.

Update Your Application with New Information

If you’ve had any new achievements or experiences since applying, provide the admissions committee with an update letter. This letter allows you to showcase improvements in your academic or professional background that may make you a stronger candidate.

• New Academic Achievements: Higher grades, new coursework, or additional certifications.
• Clinical or Volunteer Experiences: Any recent shadowing, volunteering, or clinical work that adds to your healthcare exposure.
• Research Involvement: If you’ve completed a significant project or had your work published, this is worth mentioning.

Updating your application keeps you fresh in the admissions committee’s minds and demonstrates that you’re actively improving yourself, even after submitting your initial application.

Secure Strong Letters of Support

Consider requesting new letters of recommendation or letters of support from professors, physicians, or mentors who can vouch for your suitability for medical school. These letters should emphasize any recent accomplishments and your continued dedication to becoming a physician.

• Targeted Letters: Ask people who can provide specific examples of your growth since applying.
• Avoid Repetition: Don’t reuse letters from your original application—make sure any new letters offer fresh insights.

A strong letter of support can give your application a much-needed boost when admissions committees re-review your file.

Be Patient but Proactive

While it’s essential to take action, such as sending LOIs and updates, don’t overwhelm the admissions office with excessive communication. Once you’ve submitted your updates, exercise patience—waitlist movement often doesn’t occur until later in the admissions cycle.

• Waitlist Movement: Many waitlist spots open up after May 15th, when accepted students must commit to one school.
• Check-In Strategically: If months have passed and you haven’t heard back, a polite check-in to ask about your status can be appropriate.

Continue to Prepare for Future Applications

Even while you’re on the waitlist, it’s smart to start preparing in case you need to reapply next cycle. Use this time to:

• Strengthen Your Profile: Seek more clinical experience, research opportunities, or relevant coursework.
• Retake the MCAT: If you believe your score was a weak point in your application, consider retaking the MCAT to improve your chances.
• Gather Feedback: If possible, seek feedback on your application from advisors or admissions consultants to pinpoint areas for improvement.

Being proactive and prepared for the next application cycle ensures that, regardless of the outcome, you’ll be ready to apply again with an even stronger profile.

Consider Accepting Another Offer

If you’ve been accepted to another medical school but are holding out for your waitlist top choice, make sure you have a solid backup plan. You don’t want to be left without an offer if the waitlist doesn’t come through.

• Deposit at Another School: If accepted to another program, consider placing a deposit to secure your spot while you wait to hear back from the waitlist. Be mindful of deadlines and refund policies.
• Stay Positive: Remember, any acceptance to medical school is a major achievement, and attending another school doesn’t close the door to your dreams.

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While being on a medical school waitlist can be challenging, it’s not the end of your journey. Many applicants eventually gain acceptance from the waitlist, especially if they actively express interest and continue improving their profile. By taking the right steps and maintaining a positive mindset, you can increase your chances of getting off the waitlist and into your dream school.

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