Canceling an interview without any acceptances yet?

[looncat]

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I know I should've figured this out earlier, but I've realized that I definitely don't want to go to this school that I have an interview with in a couple weeks. I haven't had any acceptances yet and I've only had 2 other interviews, I just want to hear some opinions. Will there be any repercussions if I have to reapply another cycle? (obviously, I won't be reapplying to the particular school in question)

 

[Dr Van Helsing]

 

[bc65]

Would you really not go to that school even if it's your only opportunity to go to medical school?
Even if that is really the case, I suggest that you go to the interview anyway. Perhaps if you go to the school you will decide that it's not as bad as you thought, and depending on your financial situation, the experience of going on the interview just for practice might be worth the expense of going.

 

[looncat]

Would you really not go to that school even if it's your only opportunity to go to medical school?
Even if that is really the case, I suggest that you go to the interview anyway. Perhaps if you go to the school you will decide that it's not as bad as you thought, and depending on your financial situation, the experience of going on the interview just for practice might be worth the expense of going.

I think I'd rather wait a year and reapply if it's the only one. At first I was just going to go anyways and see how I feel there, but I read somewhere here that if you decline an acceptance and reapply it's a huge red flag?

 

[ReggieNoble22]

I think I'd rather wait a year and reapply if it's the only one. At first I was just going to go anyways and see how I feel there, but I read somewhere here that if you decline an acceptance and reapply it's a huge red flag?

I'd say go to the interview, check it out, if it is 100% absolutely not for you, then you can withdraw your application directly after the interview.

If I was in your situation, I would take any and all interviews I could because at the end of the day an MD school is an MD school and if your end goal is to become an MD you should not take interviews and acceptances for granted because you may not get another shot at it.

 

[bc65]

I think I'd rather wait a year and reapply if it's the only one. At first I was just going to go anyways and see how I feel there, but I read somewhere here that if you decline an acceptance and reapply it's a huge red flag?

You could go to the interview, and then withdraw the next day if you don't like it. I can imagine a school that I wouldn't want to go to, so I'm not totally discounting your feelings, but are you sure you won't regret your decision if you don't get in anywhere next year?

 

[looncat]

You could go to the interview, and then withdraw the next day if you don't like it. I can imagine a school that I wouldn't want to go to, so I'm not totally discounting your feelings, but are you sure you won't regret your decision if you don't get in anywhere next year?

I'd say go to the interview, check it out, if it is 100% absolutely not for you, then you can withdraw your application directly after the interview.

If I was in your situation, I would take any and all interviews I could because at the end of the day an MD school is an MD school and if your end goal is to become an MD you should not take interviews and acceptances for granted because you may not get another shot at it.

For some reason I hadn't thought of being able to withdraw after the interview, thanks for the advice, I'll most likely just go then.

 

[Ace Khalifa]

So I originally didn't want to attend an interview for a particular school. I had no acceptances at that point. I thought I would not like the school and seriously considered withdrawing without the interview. I attended the interview anyway, and I ended up really liking the school (not top choice, but still really good fit for me). This school ended up being my first acceptance. Your experience may be totally different than mine, but I agree with everyone saying that you should definitely attend any and all interviews you've been invited to if you don't already have at least one acceptance. No one WANTS to reapply; do what is necessary to increase your chances of getting in your first application cycle.

 

[Glandzburg]

Before interview season started, I ranked the schools I applied to from top choice to last choice. I received an interview invite from my literal last choice, and because it was very early in the cycle, I attended the interview.

I was blown away by my interview experience, and the school definitely moved up towards the top of my list. My point is, there is no way for you to know that you will not like the school until you visit the campus and get a feel for the atmosphere there. Trust me, you cannot say that there is no way you would attend that school simply based on what you have read on the internet.

Besides, it would be incredibly unwise to turn down an interview without an acceptance in hand!

 

[JuanPabloCastel]

Haven't read above comments, but you might be pleasantly surprised once you visit the school.

 

[WingedOx]

Honest question, OP, what is so bad about the school?

 

[looncat]

Honest question, OP, what is so bad about the school?

Nothing is really "so bad", it just didn't seem great based on what I'd read and it's very new and coupled with how far it is from my family I was getting freaked out. I've kind of got a grip now and I know I'm not exactly in a position to be choosy.

 

[meowfish6868]

Nothing is really "so bad", it just didn't seem great based on what I'd read and it's very new and coupled with how far it is from my family I was getting freaked out. I've kind of got a grip now and I know I'm not exactly in a position to be choosy.

You can also withdraw your app after the interview if you really don't like it. I know it would probably feel like you're wasting your money, but at least you gave it a fair chance.

 

[bc65]

Nothing is really "so bad", it just didn't seem great based on what I'd read and it's very new and coupled with how far it is from my family I was getting freaked out. I've kind of got a grip now and I know I'm not exactly in a position to be choosy.

It sounds like you realize this already, but just to clarify:

The reasons you cited ( a new school, far from family ) are absolutely NOT good reasons to turn down your only acceptance to a US medical school. Other bad reasons: far from a girlfriend/boyfriend. Too expensive. Don't like the curriculum format.

Being near your family might turn out to be a detriment rather than an asset ( too big a distraction). You won't know for sure until it happens. The age of the school is meaningless. The reputation of a school is possibly the least important factor in selecting a med school. You won't know how you feel about a school until you see it in person.

Good luck on your interviews! Let us know what you think after you get back.

 

[justadream]

If it's not super expensive, you should go.

The only thing you have to lose is cost.

Potential Benefits
- You might love it
- Might be the only acceptance you get*
- You gain additional interview experience


*You said you'd wait a year. Are you sure about that? I think you have to disclose to schools (or schools know from your AMCAS) that you applied before and didn't get in anywhere. No matter how you slice it, it doesn't look good. Not to mention, consider the opportunity cost of another gap year#

#I understand if you are taking a gap year to improve your application. But you're already being offered an interview so that means your application is already good enough or close to that point for purposes of getting in.

 

[looncat]

It sounds like you realize this already, but just to clarify:

The reasons you cited ( a new school, far from family ) are absolutely NOT good reasons to turn down your only acceptance to a US medical school. Other bad reasons: far from a girlfriend/boyfriend. Too expensive. Don't like the curriculum format.

Being near your family might turn out to be a detriment rather than an asset ( too big a distraction). You won't know for sure until it happens. The age of the school is meaningless. The reputation of a school is possibly the least important factor in selecting a med school. You won't know how you feel about a school until you see it in person.

Good luck on your interviews! Let us know what you think after you get back.

I know it's a dumb reason, it's just a bit upsetting because I wish I'd gotten into a school in my home state.

 

[Ace Khalifa]

I know it's a dumb reason, it's just a bit upsetting because I wish I'd gotten into a school in my home state.

I understand how you feel, for I wasn't shown any post-interview love from my state schools either. However, I don't think it'll be the end of the world if you go to med school somewhere outside of your home state. Work hard, and you can always try to match at a residency in your home state. This game of med school admissions is too mentally and emotionally taxing enough as it is, so don't make it any harder by declining an interview when you don't have an acceptance yet.