Accepting MSTP offer

[stressyanddepressy]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I am ready to commit to an MSTP, but I am still on the waitlist for my top choice program and the director indicated that he could call me with good news during the first week of May (though not guaranteed). That being said, I love the program I have already been accepted to and would love to go there. How can I tactfully accept this offer while informing the program about my waitlist situation? I don’t want to accept the offer this week and then decline out of the blue next week if I am accepted to the other program. Thanks for your help!

 

[Dormouse]

Don't worry, it's perfectly fine to accept your current offer but then withdraw later if you get an acceptance from a different program. It happens all the time and is expected.

If you like, you can let the PD of this program that you're committing to know that you're waiting on a waitlist offer, but it doesn't change much for the program, because at this point they're likely not taking another person unless you are actually leaving.

 

[SurfingDoctor]

I was just literally talking to the PD of our MSTP program about this. This is the bane of their existence and an endless source of frustration for them. I don't have any real advice (other than the program really doesn't probably matter that much and practically speaking, has no chance of improving your success) but man, I would hate to be a PD cause for every spot you hold with the intention of holding out for something "better"... you are literally screwing over other applicants.

They actually told me the difference between waitlist spot number 1 and spot number 20 is meaningless as far as the applicant goes. It's really just a matter of who says "yes" and "no". Speaking from residency and fellowship rankings... I'm inclined to agree.

 

[Maebea]

Don't worry about it. While it is frustrating for us to lose someone after May 1, it is part of the job. If you were to drop my program, I would go to my wait list and take someone who likely has an offer at another school. When I do this, I make a courtesy call to that program director immediately after making the offer to let them know what I did. They can then go to their waitlist and/or throw a bunch of money at the student to keep them from bolting ;^)

 

[alpha-syntist]

Don't worry about it. While it is frustrating for us to lose someone after May 1, it is part of the job. If you were to drop my program, I would go to my wait list and take someone who likely has an offer at another school. When I do this, I make a courtesy call to that program director immediately after making the offer to let them know what I did. They can then go to their waitlist and/or throw a bunch of money at the student to keep them from bolting ;^)

Can programs keep matriculants by incentivizing with additional scholarships? How does that work with an MSTP? Orrrr, sly humor?

And how would you know which program they've already been accepted to? Do you ask them?

 

[Maebea]

Can programs keep matriculants by incentivizing with additional scholarships? How does that work with an MSTP? Orrrr, sly humor?

And how would you know which program they've already been accepted to? Do you ask them?

Sly humor, I hope. I know that some MD programs are now offering money on top of full scholarships, but I am not aware of MD-PhD programs offering matriculants to up the stipend to attract students.

Regarding the name of the program where they are holding an acceptance, I would have to ask the applicant for that information.