awkward situation, withdrawing?

[james87]

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hi everyone,

long-time lurker here, first-time poster. thanks to all of you for your help over the years as i've been reading your advice and encouragements.

to make an absurdly long story short, i applied in mid-september to a lot of low- and middle-tier internal medicine programs (plus a few high-tier) thinking i was below average thanks to a mediocre step 1 score and struggling the first two years. but, i've already been offered interviews at the reach schools, so probably will want to apply to more top-tier programs and withdraw from low-tier ones. is it seen negatively if i withdraw from low-tier programs before an interview is scheduled, or shortly after one is scheduled? i don't want to ruffle feathers and i know that PDs speak to each other, but i also simply never in my wildest dreams would imagine i'd be in this position. i hope i don't seem like i'm gloating but i just don't know which direction is proper and would greatly appreciate any advice.

good luck to all applicants this year 🙂

 

[Olenadr]

hi everyone,

long-time lurker here, first-time poster. thanks to all of you for your help over the years as i've been reading your advice and encouragements.

to make an absurdly long story short, i applied in mid-september to a lot of low- and middle-tier internal medicine programs (plus a few high-tier) thinking i was below average thanks to a mediocre step 1 score and struggling the first two years. since applying, i was elected to AOA, got a great step2ck and found out i have incredible letters including the MSPE. i've already been offered interviews at the reach schools, so probably will want to apply to more top-tier programs and withdraw from low-tier ones. is it seen negatively if i withdraw from low-tier programs before an interview is scheduled, or shortly after one is scheduled? i don't want to ruffle feathers and i know that PDs speak to each other, but i also simply never in my wildest dreams would imagine i'd be in this position. i hope i don't seem like i'm gloating but i just don't know which direction is proper and would greatly appreciate any advice.

good luck to all applicants this year 🙂

LOL why withdraw before receiving an interview? What benefit will you gain from that? I'd only do that if I had a decent number of interviews already.

 

[DrBowtie]

Agree. Add more reaches. You already paid for the middle/low tier apps. Might as well see how it goes. You can politely decline interviews once you have a satisfactory amount.

 

[gutonc]

You have nothing to gain or lose by withdrawing from programs at this point. You're not going to get your money back. And the places you applied to that see your app and think you're just a piker won't offer you interviews anyway...(why waste their time when they know you won't come?)

Throw down another $500 or so on good programs and see what happens.

Of course, if this is just another one of those posts where you want to brag about how awesome you are, shame on me for replying.

 

[blue2000]

I would also be careful that you aren't the bottom of the barrel for your reach schools. I spent a year on faculty at a university program for a competitive speciality. We interviewed about 100 people for 7 spots. Looking at stats, there were probably 30 people who really didn't have a shot, and never had a shot. With a record that's not "perfect" (in that you didn't rock everything in med school) I'd apply to more reaches, but I would also be sure to interview at midtier places as well. You don't want to be in those last 30 spots at every place you interview at and end up scrambling when you could have had a great spot at a less fancy place.

 

[Pedi FTW]

Agree. Add more reaches. You already paid for the middle/low tier apps. Might as well see how it goes. You can politely decline interviews once you have a satisfactory amount.

What do you do if a school offers you an interview, but you decide you would rather not go and you haven't scheduled anything with them? Do you ignore the invitation, withdraw, or email them?

 

[gutonc]

What do you do if a school offers you an interview, but you decide you would rather not go and you haven't scheduled anything with them? Do you ignore the invitation, withdraw, or email them?

"Thanks but no thanks." That's the polite, adult way to deal with it.

You can just ignore it if you like but that's infantile and a bit rude. Your call.