Albert Einstein E-mail - Anyone else get this?

[banannie]

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I just got an e-mail from Albert Einstein telling me that my application had received a "very favorable review" but they wanted to know my level of interest in the school.

Basically, they're giving me an ultimatum: I have to tell them in 5 days that they are my first choice among the schools at which my application remains active, or else they will withdraw me from consideration.

Really, I think its an ingenious idea, and I think more admissions offices should do it. They save the time and energy of accepting/waitlisting people whom they suspect might not end up going there anyway.

But it does seem awfully harsh. Yes, I really liked Einstein a great deal, and if accepted I would very seriously consider them. Personally, I think the location is perfect: near NYC but a lot more chill (and less expensive). But are they my first choice??? I can't say they are at this moment. Would I love an acceptance from them? Of course!

Did anyone else get a similar e-mail? Anyone have advice?

Fortunately, I'd already been planning a trip to NYC this weekend. Hopefully swinging by the Bronx will help refresh my memory of the place, and help me assess my level of interest.

Thanks, everyone!

 

[jtheater]

I think this kind of sucks of Einstein to do. I realize why they do it, but I think it puts a lot of pressure on an applicant. Waitlists were specifically designed so that people who were at the top of the pile could have time to make an informed, rather than bullyed decision. That being said, once you know you are not interested, let a school know to make room for anxious others.

Whatever you choose, I don't think Einstein can hold you to it, especially before May 15. A school can't bind you, since there is no contract, written or oral. A school can be your top choice and you still don't matriculate for a number of reasons. Financial, family needs, or you just change your mind. Do what you need to do to get in IF (and only if) you are still SERIOUSLY considering the school.

 

[aquaboy]

Is this pre or post interview? Do you have other acceptances? I received an interview invite from them but turned it down. I think you can say that you are still interested without having to say it's your top choice. Make it a letter of interest instead of a letter of intent if it's post-interview. Hey, if it's pre-interview make it sound like AECOM is the best thing since sliced bread because atleast you'll get an interview and then it's up to you to turn it down or not. keep in mind that they interview about 1200 and accept about 450 to fill their class. They waitlist a TON of people and I turned them down based on this fact and the fact that I had been accepted to a much better school, for me!!!!!😀

 

[HouseHead]

Originally posted by banannie
I just got an e-mail from Albert Einstein telling me that my application had received a "very favorable review" but they wanted to know my level of interest in the school.

Basically, they're giving me an ultimatum: I have to tell them in 5 days that they are my first choice among the schools at which my application remains active, or else they will withdraw me from consideration.

Sounds weird, although statements of intent are considered kosher.

Check out the rules:
AAMC Acceptance Procedures

From that page:
6. *Prior to May 15 of the year of matriculation, an applicant should be given at least two weeks to reply to an offer of admission. After May 15, schools may require applicants to respond to acceptance offers in less than two weeks. An applicant may be required to file a statement of intent, a deposit, or both. The statement of intent should provide freedom to withdraw if the applicant is later accepted by a school that he or she prefers. Under no circumstances should an applicant be asked to withdraw from waiting lists as a condition of accepting a place.

In other words, they can't hold you to it.

 

[banannie]

thanks for the advice everyone

i think i will just withdraw. i've been investigating Einstein's financial aid, and it appears that it's almost completely in the form of loans. going back to visit was also helpful: i just didn't feel as great about the school as i did the first time i went there.

i'm guessing i was borderline waitlist/accept, and they'd be inclined to either accept me or place me high on the waitlist if i told them they were my first choice. i don't think they were looking for a commitment to matriculate, but for the sake of my own integrity, and for the sake of future applicants, i just couldn't tell them they were first when i have more financially attractive options at schools i'd rather go to.

 

[tedstriker]

Thanks Banannie! All of us who are on the waitlist applaud your decision 😉

 

[vikas]

I had emailed the adcom at Einstein the week before the week that they were meeting on my file (3/4) and told them that I had an interview that I did not want to go to, and asked if they could let me know about my admissions status as soon as possible.

Dean Kerrigan called me a few days later and told me that I would be accepted to Einstein and that I didn't need to go on my interview trip.

So I have, I guess, unoficially got into Einstein, yet I still got the same level of interest email. Maybe its a really good thing for all of you guys that got it.