attending additional IIs

[deleted1001426]

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So I was fortunate enough to receive a handful of As pretty early in the application cycle and I'm pending a few more decisions. I'm all but decided on where I'll be attending school next year and really can't see that changing (unless some school wants to throw an insane amount of money at me or NYU decides they need a fairly average stat, unremarkable candidate and choose rescind my rejection lol). I have a handful of IIs coming up in the next month or so and I was curious if there was any benefit to attending them or if I should go with my gut instinct and withdraw my remaining apps+ cancel any remaining IIs. I'm strongly leaning towards canceling the interviews but for whatever reason, it seems that everyone I've spoke to irl from my parents to my school's premed advisor and various physician-mentors, have advised me to attend them. They've offered a multitude of reasons varying from "gaining additional interview experience", "it doesn't reflect well on your to turn down an interview invite" (which makes zero sense to me) or to go to "increasing my chances for substantial merit/financial aid" etc. I can somewhat see where they're coming from as there's really no disadvantage to going to said interviews but I'm curious what all of you would advise/what are those of you in this position doing?
tldr: Are my parents/advisors correct that i should attend all interviews

 

[Bonne Nuit]

Nah, if you have an A at a school that you'd happily attend, stop attending interviews. Save yourself the money, stress, and time. The only exception I might make is if the school was within easy driving distance or if it's a public state school of yours.

"Reflects badly" on you to turn down an II, lol. Who do your advisors think are keeping track of this stuff?

 

[Moko]

So I was fortunate enough to receive a handful of As pretty early in the application cycle and I'm pending a few more decisions. I'm all but decided on where I'll be attending school next year and really can't see that changing (unless some school wants to throw an insane amount of money at me or NYU decides they need a fairly average stat, unremarkable candidate and choose rescind my rejection lol). I have a handful of IIs coming up in the next month or so and I was curious if there was any benefit to attending them or if I should go with my gut instinct and withdraw my remaining apps+ cancel any remaining IIs. I'm strongly leaning towards canceling the interviews but for whatever reason, it seems that everyone I've spoke to irl from my parents to my school's premed advisor and various physician-mentors, have advised me to attend them. They've offered a multitude of reasons varying from "gaining additional interview experience", "it doesn't reflect well on your to turn down an interview invite" (which makes zero sense to me) or to go to "increasing my chances for substantial merit/financial aid" etc. I can somewhat see where they're coming from as there's really no disadvantage to going to said interviews but I'm curious what all of you would advise/what are those of you in this position doing?
tldr: Are my parents/advisors correct that i should attend all interviews

If you can't see yourself attending those other schools over your current choices under any circumstances, then withdraw your application. Those schools (and applicants who are waiting for an II there) will be grateful.

 

[theKingLT]

So I was fortunate enough to receive a handful of As pretty early in the application cycle and I'm pending a few more decisions. I'm all but decided on where I'll be attending school next year and really can't see that changing (unless some school wants to throw an insane amount of money at me or NYU decides they need a fairly average stat, unremarkable candidate and choose rescind my rejection lol). I have a handful of IIs coming up in the next month or so and I was curious if there was any benefit to attending them or if I should go with my gut instinct and withdraw my remaining apps+ cancel any remaining IIs. I'm strongly leaning towards canceling the interviews but for whatever reason, it seems that everyone I've spoke to irl from my parents to my school's premed advisor and various physician-mentors, have advised me to attend them. They've offered a multitude of reasons varying from "gaining additional interview experience", "it doesn't reflect well on your to turn down an interview invite" (which makes zero sense to me) or to go to "increasing my chances for substantial merit/financial aid" etc. I can somewhat see where they're coming from as there's really no disadvantage to going to said interviews but I'm curious what all of you would advise/what are those of you in this position doing?
tldr: Are my parents/advisors correct that i should attend all interviews

Attend the interviews unless, as Moko stated, you can't see yourself attending there under any circumstances. It's all about the money. One interview might cost you $300 to attend, but it could potentially save you hundreds of thousands of dollars if you get a scholarship. Keep in mind some schools are open to matching scholarship offers so even if you're already accepted to your top choice, another A with scholarship could help get you money at said top choice. It's near impossible to predict how much money you might get (even with need based systems), so the best thing to do is keep playing the game to the end