Medical School Interviews: On Hold Status

"I am so excited. I was put on hold at Prestigious Medical School! I am so happy I wasn't rejected."

Many students can be misled by the meaning and significance of being put "on hold" before receiving an interview. When I reviewed medical school applications, rarely did I vote to reject someone outright. More often, I would click the "hold" box if I didn't feel the student should receive an interview invitation. In my experience, at the majority of medical schools, few applications in "hold" status convert to "interview" status. So, effectively, a pre-interview "hold" is almost like a pre-interview "wait list."