Cancelling interviews before acceptance

[DrShephardWannabe]

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Hey all,

I'm a Texas resident and I have currently had two interviews in Texas that both went very well at schools I would love to attend. I have an interview on 9/15 at a school that, after talking to my wife more about it, I believe would make both of us pretty miserable for four years due to numerous factors. The cost of attending the interview is also nearly $350 (Our budget is stressed as it is) and almost 14 hours of driving. Should I cancel this interview? Although I know you aren't accepted until you have it in writing, this is my first time applying and I would be concerned that if I am accepted here and nowhere else I would be forced to take the acceptance rather than re-applying.

 

[biochemgirl22]

If you are going to be miserable there then I would not go to it. Your happiness and sanity is way more important. Plus you have a wife to think about. If you think it's the best decision, cancel it sooner rather than later so they have an opportunity to fill the interview slot with someone who does desire to attend. If you felt your interviews went well, there's a good chance you will prematch in November! I wish you well. However, if you at all think you can be happy at the school, I would go.


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[peridotthecat]

If this school is the only school that accepted you would you go? If no, don't go to the interview. If yes, go to the interview.

 

[NotASerialKiller]

You don't have an acceptance, I'd go to the interview. If you feel that the interviews at those other schools went well but you don't end up getting in, you'd have to reassess and strengthen your application before reapplying. Does the prospect of spending another year or two before getting a chance to reapply to schools that already turned you down once really sound better than a decent chance right now at a non-ideal med school?

You clearly thought at one point that you might be willing to attend this school, and you seem to be a bit overconfident if you're counting your chickens because an interview felt like it went well (it might have but people get rejected after "strong" interview performances all the time). I'm not trying to discourage you, but if any part of this thought process is "Well that went so well I'm likely getting in, maybe this isn't worth the hassle" that sounds like a horrible mistake.

It's also possible that in discussing it with your partner you concluded that it would suck to attend this school in light of the fact that these more appealing schools feel like a sure thing. Remember that even if you are waitlisted and don't get in, that doesn't mean next year you'll have just as good a shot. Schools don't love reapplicants, especially ones that haven't improved much. Cancelling an interview at a less desirable school before getting an acceptance is a risky move and you'd have to be very, very, VERY certain that you'd never want to attend. And I'm guessing that might not be the case if you're asking SDN.

 

[Lawpy]

I don't recommend cancelling interviews before acceptance. Instead, try to reschedule the low-priority interviews later in the cycle, so that you can withdraw from them after being accepted.

 

[Jerry's World]

Uh only 2 interviews and thinking about cancelling...

Also, you may be surprised by which school impresses you. I have certainly been by some Texas schools in not considered "ideal" locations


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[ortnakas]

Unless you're 100% certain you wouldn't go there if it's your only acceptance, go.

You could ask to move it to a later date if the one you have will cause financial difficulties. Worst they can say is no.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

You can't really know if you would be miserable there without going to at least check it out. If you really feel that way then right after your interview is over then call and withdraw your application before they make a decision.

 

[ReapPremed]

You have roughly a 50% chance of acceptance going to an interview if you simply look at the interviews vs. acceptances at most schools. Obviously your performance, stats, etc. will change this.

Reapplying is an uphill battle and an acceptance is never guaranteed. Rank these scenarios.
1) Live 4 years in a place you're not wild about while going to medical school. You'll be moving anyway for residency.
2) Potentially bang your head against a wall reapplying for years.
3) Buy lots of sunscreen and live in a third world country for 2 years with an uncertain future.
4) Not be a doctor if things don't work out.

 

[workaholic181]

Hey all,

I'm a Texas resident and I have currently had two interviews in Texas that both went very well at schools I would love to attend. I have an interview on 9/15 at a school that, after talking to my wife more about it, I believe would make both of us pretty miserable for four years due to numerous factors. The cost of attending the interview is also nearly $350 (Our budget is stressed as it is) and almost 14 hours of driving. Should I cancel this interview? Although I know you aren't accepted until you have it in writing, this is my first time applying and I would be concerned that if I am accepted here and nowhere else I would be forced to take the acceptance rather than re-applying.

I would still go interview if I were you. So it's what, two days of your life? Not a big deal in the grand scheme of things. It's great you felt you're first two interviews went well, but this game is just too risky to play like that.

 

[reaction mechanisms]

I agree with the above posters. What you're feeling is a boost of post interview confidence. You need to consider the question mentioned above: If this school was the only one to grant you an acceptance, would you go?


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[Med Ed]

I have currently had two interviews in Texas that both went very well

From your perspective I'm sure they did. Most applicants have positive experiences. Unfortunately it means nothing about your chances of being accepted.

You would be foolish to cancel anything until you have an offer in hand.

 

[biochemgirl22]

Just don't make it show on your face or your vibe that you don't want to be there!


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[Lardy Boy]

Wouldn't risk it unless I had a acceptance.


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[NotYou20]

I think you should consider this as if you've already been rejected from everywhere else. If, in this scenario, you'd rather try again next year then cancel it. Better to not go than to try to explain why you turned an acceptance down.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

I will play devil's advocate. Would you attend if the only school accepted? would your wife be miserable for 4 years if you do go? Would you both want to go thru that?
A mistake I often see made by premeds is:
-applying to schools they would never want to attend in the first place
-then attending an interview at a place you and your wife dont like
-then not liking it but not withdrawing
-then getting your only acceptance at this school
-and now essentially being forced to attend

I would have to disagree with @Med Ed on this and agree with @NotYou20. You shouldnt have applied there in the first place but I would get out of it now. I have get a few every term who have this scenario. The only other thing to do is to attend the interview with your wife to tour the area campus as well and if you both still hate it, WITHDRAW IMMEDIATELY. Do not wait to think about for more than 48 hours; Do not wait to see what else happens. Either like it then or not but do not get cauught in the above cascade

I think the bolded is the best plan honesty. It sounds like OP and his SO are basing their opinion off of internet research, which still counts for something but it's tough to really gauge how you will feel about a place of you haven't visited it. There were more than one school I thought I would hate and ended up enjoying, or vice versa where one of my favorites on paper ended up being at the bottom of the list in the end. If they do go to the interview and find they really do hate it then the nest thing would be to withdraw immediately like you say, and I think this plan is the best of both worlds.

 

[Med Ed]

The only other thing to do is to attend the interview with your wife to tour the area campus as well and if you both still hate it, WITHDRAW IMMEDIATELY.

This aligns with my opinion. I know you have scars from those individuals who trap themselves each cycle, but there is no substitute for seeing for oneself. And, in the grand scheme of things, $350 and a long drive is a small price to pay for certitude.

 

[DrShephardWannabe]

I think the bolded is the best plan honesty. It sounds like OP and his SO are basing their opinion off of internet research, which still counts for something but it's tough to really gauge how you will feel about a place of you haven't visited it. There were more than one school I thought I would hate and ended up enjoying, or vice versa where one of my favorites on paper ended up being at the bottom of the list in the end. If they do go to the interview and find they really do hate it then the nest thing would be to withdraw immediately like you say, and I think this plan is the best of both worlds.

My wife has never been to the area, but I have been there in person before for extended periods. Although I have never seen the school in person, information about the school from both their website and friends who attend already deters me (It's hard to list specifics without giving the school away).

I agree I should not have applied, but hindsight is 20/20. My other interviews going so well has influenced my decision in that I see how important fit to a school is, and even if those other interviews don't grant an acceptance, I believe they have shown me that I'd rather reapply than attend this school.

 

[cossackdoc]

Hey all,

I'm a Texas resident and I have currently had two interviews in Texas that both went very well at schools I would love to attend. I have an interview on 9/15 at a school that, after talking to my wife more about it, I believe would make both of us pretty miserable for four years due to numerous factors. The cost of attending the interview is also nearly $350 (Our budget is stressed as it is) and almost 14 hours of driving. Should I cancel this interview? Although I know you aren't accepted until you have it in writing, this is my first time applying and I would be concerned that if I am accepted here and nowhere else I would be forced to take the acceptance rather than re-applying.

IMO, you should go to the interview. You currently have no acceptances, and your subjective assessment of your previous interviews may be inaccurate. If you are determined to be a doctor, an obviously essential step is gaining admittance to med school, so until you have secured such acceptance, you'd be wise to re-think your reasoning.

 

[catsarecool12345]

I have a question:
Do other MD schools know when you have cancelled interviews at other institutions?

I am accepted at my state DO and have MD schools interviewing me that are across the country. I will not uproot my family because I don't have to.
I still have interviews at both my state MDs and will not be cancelling those. Will it negatively affect me to cancel the out of state MD interviews?

If not, when I cancel should I not say it's for a DO acceptance?

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

I have a question:
Do other MD schools know when you have cancelled interviews at other institutions?

I am accepted at my state DO and have MD schools interviewing me that are across the country. I will not uproot my family because I don't have to.
I still have interviews at both my state MDs and will not be cancelling those. Will it negatively affect me to cancel the out of state MD interviews?

If not, when I cancel should I not say it's for a DO acceptance?

No.