Accepted to top choice, stop going to interviews now?

[Reader88]

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I have been accepted to my top choice and it's in-state. The only reason I would keep going to interviews is if there were some potential of scholarship that would make a school cheaper than instate tuition, though that seems unlikely? Does anyone have any thoughts on how common that is? For what it's worth the three interviews I am debating whether to go to are Creighton, a Virginia school (not UVA) and one of the Philly triplets. I would rather the interview spots go to people who really want to go to these schools but thought I would seek out a bit more input before I cancel the interviews.

 

[crazymedguy123]

Any of them particularly close? Any that you are particularly interested in?

 

[freedoctor17]

Maybe check the old threads for those schools and see if anyone mentioned getting scholarships and then see what kinds of reasons they gave them out for. You could also check their websites for financial aid and scholarship opportunities and see how many they give and if they're based on merit/need. I also got accepted to my top in state choice but I'm still going to a attend a few more interviews that I know give good aid and I'm just going to withdraw from the ones that don't give good aid. I might make a similar thread to this so I can see what others think since sometimes their websites may be a little misleading.

 

[Saifa]

End it. Nothing beats withdrawing.

 

[raiderette]

Cancel. If you happen to get a dream interview, you can still go, but now you can enjoy the rest of your year.

 

[RNthenDoc]

I held off on withdrawing until I got financial aid statements.

I also wanted the interview experience to sharpen my skills for residency interviews. I paid LOTS of money to apply to many, many schools, so I was glad to get something out of it that will hopefully help me.

 

[boneitis]

My perception of schools definitely changed after interviewing. What I thought was my top choice ended up being my last choice. I would still go on the interviews as long as it isn't a financial burden.

 

[panbimbo]

I have been accepted to my top choice and it's in-state. The only reason I would keep going to interviews is if there were some potential of scholarship that would make a school cheaper than instate tuition, though that seems unlikely? Does anyone have any thoughts on how common that is? For what it's worth the three interviews I am debating whether to go to are Creighton, a Virginia school (not UVA) and one of the Philly triplets. I would rather the interview spots go to people who really want to go to these schools but thought I would seek out a bit more input before I cancel the interviews.

I'm a year behind where you are now, but if it were me, I would go to every interview and see what offers are on the table. Withdrawing may help other applicants, but this is about you, so if you get multiple interviews, take advantage of it and use leverage to see what school you can go for cheapest AND be happiest at. Again, a year away from applying, and I am definitely going to go to every interview I get unless HMS gives me a full ride on admission.

Sent from my Moto E (4) using SDN mobile

 

[Med Ed]

I have been accepted to my top choice and it's in-state. The only reason I would keep going to interviews is if there were some potential of scholarship that would make a school cheaper than instate tuition, though that seems unlikely?

It is indeed unlikely. Few state schools have tons of scholarship money (the in-state tuition is essentially a publicly-funded scholarship), and will therefore reserve what they do have for extremely high-value candidates. This strategy makes far more sense if your top choice is private and you're attempting to leverage an in-state acceptance.

At the end of the day there is nothing unethical about continuing to go on interviews, especially considering there is still uncertainty in the process. Just be okay with the fact that your travel expenses are probably not an investment. This is anecdotal, but when we have applicants who try to play this game we usually wish them luck at the other institution.

 

[Frogger27]

I’d only go if it’s convenient. No need to waste money traveling across the country

 

[Boola Boy]

Go to interviews at other schools where you might actually want to go. Financial aid shouldn't really concern you until you get an acceptance...

 

[Reader88]

Thanks for the feedback everyone! Sounds like scholarships aren't super common but I will research the individual schools before I make my decision. Unfortunately I've already spent a lot of money on interviews and cannot afford to attend more just for the sake of it. I know it's possible I could like another school more, but my state school is higher ranked, cheaper, and near family so it is hard to imagine passing that up

 

[Frogger27]

Thanks for the feedback everyone! Sounds like scholarships aren't super common but I will research the individual schools before I make my decision. Unfortunately I've already spent a lot of money on interviews and cannot afford to attend more just for the sake of it. I know it's possible I could like another school more, but my state school is higher ranked, cheaper, and near family so it is hard to imagine passing that up

Don’t overthink it. From everything you said there is no reason to interview elsewhere unless the other schools are significantly better (i.e T20)

 

[Wahkoon]

So I got accepted yesterday and withdrew from a handful of schools that I knew I wouldn’t attend over my acceptance. There’s no shame in withdrawing from a schools you know that you wouldn’t choose over your instate acceptance. That being said: I would still explore your options at other schools that you would consider. The interviews are painfully expensive I know, but it is small compared to your happiness in the next 4 years. If you absolutely don’t see yourself going to these schools, then I don’t think there’s harm in withdrawing.

 

[DokterMom]

Thanks for the feedback everyone! Sounds like scholarships aren't super common but I will research the individual schools before I make my decision. Unfortunately I've already spent a lot of money on interviews and cannot afford to attend more just for the sake of it. I know it's possible I could like another school more, but my state school is higher ranked, cheaper, and near family so it is hard to imagine passing that up

Sounds like a great reason to count yourself done, declare victory, withdraw from your other interviews and reject everyone you haven't heard from yet just to up your own personal acceptance ratio.

 

[Walter Raleigh]

There is a chance - depending on how stellar a candidate you are - that you might receive scholarship offers. These could potentially be leveraged to gain a better financial-aid package at your top-choice school. Nothing's guaranteed, though, and you do have an acceptance in hand.

 

[DokterMom]

There is a chance - depending on how stellar a candidate you are - that you might receive scholarship offers. These could potentially be leveraged to gain a better financial-aid package at your top-choice school. Nothing's guaranteed, though, and you do have an acceptance in hand.

Very true -- But never underestimate the 'mess with your head' angle. Let's hypothesize that the OP's top-choice state school is UTSW and that s/he then interviews and is subsequently wait-listed at Emory and Vanderbilt. Instead of happily apartment-shopping in Dallas, buying a car and planning a move, OP is now back in neurotic pre-med land debating which school s/he really, really, really liked better and would that change if financial aid were this or that, and which city is better overall, but what if you also consider the nightlife and food culture? And it's all hypothetical really because s/he's still on the wait list and it's only April - May - early June...

So lots of potential head-mess out there if that appeals to you...

 

[Walter Raleigh]

Very true -- But never underestimate the 'mess with your head' angle. Let's hypothesize that the OP's top-choice state school is UTSW and that s/he then interviews and is subsequently wait-listed at Emory and Vanderbilt. Instead of happily apartment-shopping in Dallas, buying a car and planning a move, OP is now back in neurotic pre-med land debating which school s/he really, really, really liked better and would that change if financial aid were this or that, and which city is better overall, but what if you also consider the nightlife and food culture? And it's all hypothetical really because s/he's still on the wait list and it's only April - May - early June...

So lots of potential head-mess out there if that appeals to you...

That, too, is a factor. And one that I had not considered. Is OP prone to that sort of neuroticism? A candidate that might receive a generous financial aid package? These are all things to be considered carefully.

 

[Reader88]

That, too, is a factor. And one that I had not considered. Is OP prone to that sort of neuroticism? A candidate that might receive a generous financial aid package? These are all things to be considered carefully.

Yes, I am prone to neuroticism. From my understanding, generous financial aid packages are mainly for very high MCATs, which I don't have (517). I did end up cancelling all my other interviews but will not withdraw my acceptance at places I've already interviewed