anyone ever applied to schools even though they were accepted the previous year?

[bludreamz]

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As in rejected the school they were accepted to, and applied to top choice schools at a later time? What were your reasons? Why should/shouldn't you do this?

 

[FranklinR]

Not yet. But I'm thinking about doing it this year / next year. It's terrifying to contemplate.

My biggest fear is getting letters again from people at the institution I'm rejecting - three of whom wrote great letters for me this year. I have other letter writers, but still...

 

[Jon4PsyD]

I'm confused. Explain more as to why you'd rather not go this year if you were accepted. Why apply all over again to a school you got into this year? There's probably a good reason (maybe you're going with a different school and if it doesnt work out you can re-apply to the one you turned down? Or you want the extra year to prepare for grad school? etc)

Instead of rejecting the program, why not defer your acceptance?

Jon

 

[FranklinR]

I can't speak for Blue, but what I meant was that I got in this year to program A - but got really, really lame funding. What I'm contemplating is rejecting A this year, then applying again to programs X, Y & Z (most of which I didn't apply to this year) next year in the hopes that I'll get a better package.

My reasoning is actually pretty straightforward - when I applied to program A (which I knew had lame funding), I had more money in the bank. Now, thanks to the market explosion, I don't. And I don't want to take out loans.

 

[kapinkkidowski]

I may do that this year. I've gotten 2 acceptances and might have to turn both down and apply next year, depending on how things work out, or if I get into the school at which I'm waitlisted.

My reason is pretty simple as well - My significant other and I were both applying to ph.d. programs in the same cities...so far we've not gotten into schools in any of the same cities. His top offer so far is 15 times better than mine. I am on the waitlist for a school in that city. If I get in, great. If either of us get into other schools that make another option feasible, wonderful. If not, I will probably move to that city anyway and reapply to that school and other schools in the area next year (I'm really really reaaaaally praying that doesn't happen)🙁🙁

 

[Psych1212]

I think they may be more common than people think...There are a lot of reasons people may turn down an offer when they have nothing else on the table (finances, change of circumstance, new impression of the program after interviewing, etc).

With that in mind, make sure to consider all things before deciding.

My story goes like this. I was actually accepted into a Ph.D. program fresh out of undergrad. However, I had to decline the offer because of personal reasons and instead went into a Masters program. After completing my degree, my circumstances changed, and I was required to stay in the area. That limited the number of programs that I could apply to, and I was denied admittance for two years.

I worked in an applied setting using my degree for that time (and made good money), and my vita grew immensely compared to when I applied coming out of undergrad. I added a publication and 6-7 poster presenations/workshops, plus four more years of clincal experience (both paid work and the clinical work I did while in grad school).

This year I applied to 9 schools in various locations and received interviews at 6 of them. I had a few offers and have made my decision. I can honestly say that I will be a much better clinician and professional because I took this route as opposed to attending the doctoral program that originally accepted me. But what works for me might not work well for others.

The kicker.....I reapplied to that school that originally accepted me right out of undergrad My research interests match the program even more so now than they did when I was in undergrad, my GRE improved 50 points, and I have developed relationships with some of the current students in the program through my professional work. Even though my Vita tripled in size since my original acceptance and I am much more competent now in terms of my clinical and research skills, I wasn't even granted an interview this time around...from the same school that accepted me when I basically had no clue what I was doing. 🙂

 

[FranklinR]

One of my concerns is explaining why:

a. I rejected program A after applying
b. I didn't apply to programs X, Y and Z this past year but now all of the sudden are considering them.

I mean, I can come up with reasons - true ones, even - like I geographically limited my applications this year and that didn't work, so now I'm throwing that limit out the window. But it doesn't necessarily sound great.

I appreciate your story, by the way. It does give me a little more confidence.

 

[bludreamz]

Sorry. To clarify, apply/re-apply to OTHER programs (Top Choice) rather than go to the school you were accepted to this year.

 

[SourPatchKid]

b. I didn't apply to programs X, Y and Z this past year but now all of the sudden are considering them.

I mean, I can come up with reasons - true ones, even - like I geographically limited my applications this year and that didn't work, so now I'm throwing that limit out the window. But it doesn't necessarily sound great.

i don't really agree that B is a negative. it all depends on how you spin it. how about "the last interview process made me re-evaluate my plans and my interests. through that experience (and additional year in the field), i have matured and my interests have developed as well. as a result, i now find myself attracted to your program and interests for the following reasons..."

or something a little less rough around the edges. in my opinion professors like to see that you are mature, that you've hit roadblocks and learned how to grow as a result, etc

 

[Psych1212]

One of my concerns is explaining why:

a. I rejected program A after applying
b. I didn't apply to programs X, Y and Z this past year but now all of the sudden are considering them.

I mean, I can come up with reasons - true ones, even - like I geographically limited my applications this year and that didn't work, so now I'm throwing that limit out the window. But it doesn't necessarily sound great.

I appreciate your story, by the way. It does give me a little more confidence.

Yea, that's tough because you will always be examining your reasons, how to express them, and how they will be received by the program that you already have a relationship with. I wouldn't be thrilled to be in that situation either, as it could drive me crazy. On the plus side, it's going to force you to do a lot of thinking in regards to your career, your educational aspirations, etc...That will benefit you regardless.

I would just be honest with the program and the faculty. Whatever your reasons, they are valid for you. I've said and did plenty of things that I knew would hurt my chances at being accepted along the way, but they were all the truth, and in the end I ended up in a better position. I could have accepted my original offer or manipulated my way into the doctoral program that was associated with my masters, but it just didn't feel like the right place or the right time for me.

For me, I really wasn't ready to be a great graduate student when I came out of undergrad (tons of people are...I just wasn't one of them). Looking back, I was wandering aimlessly through the process. The prospective I gained by going the route I did is something I find to be very valuable, but it was tough. We are all high-achievers, and there were times when it felt like failure as I watched my friends and colleagues progress through doctoral programs while I worked. Thankfully, I feel confident that this was surprisingly the best route for me.

Whatever happens in your situation, I hope it works best for you.

 

[Psych1212]

Sorry. To clarify, apply/re-apply to OTHER programs (Top Choice) rather than go to the school you were accepted to this year.

That's exactly what happened with me. I turned down an offer with the intent of applying to "better" programs next year. However, my circumstances changed during that year, and I instead went on to get my masters, then work for 2 years making decent/good money before finally applying to those "better" programs. After taking a detour, I'll start at one of those "better" programs this year, and I feel that path worked for me.


I'd say that if you are accepted into a program that doesn't feel right and you are contemplating turning down the offer in order to pursue a better program next year, feel free to go for it...Just realize that it's a gamble...I'd consider a few things.


1) Could I be happy at the program that I received an offer from?

2) Can I improve my qualifications significantly over the next year and really increase the likelihood of being accepted elsewhere?

3) Would I be willing to turn that one year into two or three years if necessary? (You're turning down an offer with the guarantee of nothing in return. Worst case scenario, you could end up with no offers next year, wishing you had accepted the original one. Do you dislike the current offer enough to take this risk?)

Looking back, those are all things that I had to deal with in my head. Luckily, it worked out well for me. It wouldn't be the best way to go for others, just as accepting that initial offer wasn't the best way for me.

 

[Psych1212]

As in rejected the school they were accepted to, and applied to top choice schools at a later time? What were your reasons? Why should/shouldn't you do this?

I stumbled upon this thread from last year....Check out posts #58 and #61 among others..

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?p=6454473#post6454473

 

[Jon4PsyD]

I completely understand now, I thought you meant the same school you already got into - 1 year later.

I really like the programs I was accepted at this year. I did not get into my top choice but the program I chose is what I consider a "better" program than my top choice - I was really basing my top choice solely on location and am now happy with the way things turned out. Being tops because my SO is also in the same city. The advantage is my SO is currently in Community College & willing to transfer to a 4-year nearby the program I have chosen for Spring '10. So 4 months being a 3.5 hour drive away is very much a "do-able" situation. But the two of you both applying to Ph.D.'s is definitely tough I'm sure, seeing how this is such a crapshoot. Were they Ph.D.'s in Psych as well?? I give you credit as I'm not sure I'd be able to date someone in the same field as me!

Jon